Reelfoot Lake State Park, Tiptonville, TN

Tennessee is a brilliant state with caverns, forests, lakes, and plenty of beauty. Visitors to Tiptonville, Tennessee will want to go to Reelfoot Lake State Park. It is a top place for residents of Tennessee to take vacations. The state park is located in the northwest corner of the state. It offers hunting and fishing preserves. The lake itself is 25,000 acres. 15,000 of those acres are water. The rest is harbors and shoreline. Golden and American Bald Eagles frequent the lake as do shore and wading birds.

To reach the state park one must travel along State Highway 78. The park encompasses 280 acres, which are broken into 10 segments of 22 miles of Reelfoot Lake shoreline. There is a Visitor and Interpretive Center, auditorium, picnic, and camping areas. Near the state park are the Mississippi River and Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge and Visitor Center.

Each year the birds mentioned above travel to the lake for the flowering and non flowering plants that exist in the forested land. Botany fans enjoy taking a trip into the park to experience the different types of plants. Cypress trees dominate the lake area, as do a few other species of trees and shrubs. The campgrounds, bathrooms, boardwalk, and other public areas are all wheelchair accessible.

Conference rooms on site sit 400 visitors. There is an air conditioned auditorium which is used for businesses, wildlife talks and much more. They have a short video to welcome visitors. The visitor center offers exhibits about the natural and cultural history of Reelfoot. It includes an earthquake simulator and other audio visual programs. Admission into the center is free. Their meeting space takes up 1600 square feet. Behind the center is the cypress boardwalk nature trail. It takes visitors out over the water, along the shoreline, and through the cypress groves.

Activities at Reelfoot Lake State Park include fishing year round. Boats are allowed on the lake such as pontoon boats for leisure boating. The park includes three different trails for hiking, and an auto tour that circles the lake. Picnicking can be done in various different spots. Swimming is not permitted in the lake, but there is a swimming pool and wading pool for lodge guests and campers. The state park has a five unit motel in the Spillway area. The rooms sleep three people. Two campgrounds with bathhouses are also in the park. All sites have water, electric hook-ups, tables, and grills. The hotel is called Airpark Inn. Unfortunately it is not currently open, but it will be reopening once the fire damage has been cleared away.

Other park programs include the Bald Eagle and Waterfowl Tours. A scenic boat tour takes guests around the entire lake in case they do not have their own water craft. Nearby the park is the RC Donaldson Memorial Museum that also has natural and cultural museums exhibits. Visitors come to the park to get out of the city, but Tiptonville is close by for those wanting a little shopping.