Entry No. 22 — the Nashville file — filed under: stargazing

Bells Bend Park star parties

An 808-acre rural preserve in a horseshoe bend of the Cumberland River, about 30 minutes from downtown, with genuinely dark skies for how close it sits to a state capital — the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society sets up telescopes in the field on the north side of the Bells Bend Outdoor Center.

The move: Show up for a BSAS public star party, bring a blanket, and take turns at member telescopes pointed at whatever's up — nebulae, star clusters, sometimes Saturn's rings — with the Nashville skyline glow held at bay by the river bend.

• 📍 Bells Bend / Scottsboro
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 4187 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37218

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: nashville.gov · bsasnashville.com · spacetourismguide.com

last checked: 2026-07-20