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Reelfoot Lake

A popular destination for fishing and family recreation, Reelfoot Lake is located in the northwest portion of Tennessee with some of its far-reaching arms extending into extreme southwestern Kentucky. Created by the rapid backflow of the Mississippi River after the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811 and 1812, Reelfoot Lake contains many swampy areas connecting broad, shallow open bodies of water called basins. Because of its diverse set of hydrologic features, Reelfoot Lake is home to a variety of ecosystems with an abundance of wildlife. This unique environment and acres of water make Reelfoot Lake a perfect place for outdoor recreation. Both the Reelfoot Lake State Park and the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge surround Reelfoot Lake.

Three small towns, Tiptonville, Wynnburg and Samburg, surround the Reelfoot Lake area. Many accommodations including campgrounds, restaurants and can be found in these nearby towns.

Reelfoot Lake Parks and Recreation

Reelfoot Lake State Park

This immensely popular state park is located in Lake and Obion counties in Tennessee. The park contains about 18,725 acres, about 18,000 of which are water. Many consider Reelfoot to be one of the greatest hunting and fishing preserves in the nation. Bird watchers have excellent opportunities to view American bald eagles that make their seasonal homes in the parks. Eagle tours led by park naturalists occur daily, and special weekend tours are also available. Many shore and wading birds live around the lake as well, yet another treat for bird watchers. Botanists also enjoy exploring Reelfoot Lake. The park is also home to a variety of flowering and non-flowering plants and cypress trees.

The perfect place to get acquainted with all that Reelfoot has to offer is the park’s Visitor Center. Exhibits and audio-visual programs show visitors the natural and cultural history of Reelfoot Lake. An earthquake simulator also shakes things up for visitors. Behind the Visitor Center is located the cypress boardwalk nature trail. Admission to the Visitor Center is free.

Reelfoot Lake State Park is also a perfect place to host special events. Reelfoot’s air-conditioned auditorium has a seating capacity of 400. Available year-round for a small rental fee, the auditorium also contains kitchen facilities, making it perfect for banquets, conferences and more. A 1600 sq. ft. meeting room is also available for rental.

Accommodations at Reelfoot Lake State Park are very plentiful, with camping, inns and motels available for visitors. The park’s Airpark Inn offers 20 rooms next to the lake, each with their own balcony. Swimming pools are also available at Airpark Inn as swimming does not occur in the lake itself. This pool is open to guests of the inn and overnight campers only. There is also a small, five-unit motel near the Spillway area of the park. Each of these motel units can sleep 3 people. For those who prefer camping, the park also offers two campgrounds, both with bathhouses and showers. All campsites have water and electric hook ups as well as tables and grills.
The Airpark Inn is located on State Highway 78, ten miles north of Tiptonville. The other sections of the park - including the visitor and interpretive center with its auditorium, picnic and camping areas - are located along State Highways 21 and 22.

Click here for more information on Reelfoot Lake State Park

Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1941, the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge has served to manage the northern third of Reelfoot Lake as a refuge for migratory birds. Additional lands in Southwestern Kentucky were later added to the refuge, encompassing most of the lake’s northern reaches and expanding the refuge to its current 10,428 acres. The proximity of Reelfoot Lake and the refuge to the Mississippi river has always made the area a major stopover and wintering ground for migratory waterfowl and bald eagles.

The refuge is open for public use from March 15 thru November 15 for wildlife observation. Hunting and fishing are permitted at the refuge on a seasonal basis.
A great way to see the refuge is by boat, and numerous public and commercial boat ramps are available. A self-guided auto tour is available in the Grassy Island unit of the refuge. Finally, the refuge’s observation tower and hiking trails provide great views of the bald eagles that winter in Reelfoot.
Refuge Headquarters are located approximately 15 miles southwest of Union City Tennessee. From Union City take highway 22 north approximately 15 miles, turn right on highway 157, refuge headquarters is located exactly 1 mile on left.

Click here for more information on the Reelfoot Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Reelfoot Lake History

Unlike many lakes in the United States that are ages old, Reelfoot Lake formed relatively recently in the scheme of geologic history. According to many accounts, Reelfoot Lake was formed as a result of the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Mississippi River flowed backward to fill a rift in the earth caused by this significant quake. Local lore suggests that the name of the lake comes from a great Chickasaw chief with a deformed foot, thus “Reelfoot.” Legend has it that the lake was a result of the anger of the Great Spirit at Chief Reelfoot for stealing a bride from a neighboring tribe. The story says that the Great Spirit stamped his foot on Reelfoot’s tribal lands, causing the mighty Mississippi to fill the angry footprint.

In the early 20th century was plagued by widespread lawlessness and “Night Riding” as a result of the takeover of most of the shoreline of Reelfoot Lake by a group of wealthy landowners. Forming the West Tennessee Land Company to enforce what they perceived as their legal rights to exclusive use of the shoreline and waters of Reelfoot Lake, these landowners sought to ostracize those whose families had been making a living on the lake for generations. Many of these people who had made their living on the lake and were suddenly displaced formed a vigilante group called the “Night Riders.” These Night Riders wanted justice for what they felt was stolen from them. Feuding between the Night Riders and the landowners became so serious that the governor of Tennessee deployed the state militia to restore peace to the area. Eventually the state legislature was forced to intervened, and as a result, Reelfoot Lake was declared as part of Tennessee’s public domain. This declaration guaranteed that the public would be able to use the lake regardless of whether or not they owned land adjacent to the lake. Later, a system of parks, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and public boat ramps was developed around the lake through federal-state cooperation.