In an area of West TN that looks more like the Cumberland Plateau, Bill Hill Pond State Park includes a campground, a man-made lake, and the Dismal Swamp. Taking a right into the park gates leads you to the main lake. There is a small ramp and some quiet paddling in the numerous fingers of the lake between ridges. Bearing left instead of right into the park leads you to a gravel road with a "dead end" sign. Driving down this road leads you around the east side of the lake. Taking the first right, you find a parking area with a few trails and an observation tower overlooking the Dismal Swamp. Continuing straight instead of turning right, you eventually go downhill and cross railroad tracks. Soon thereafter there is a boat ramp on the right for access to what looks like is the Tuscumbia River. I still don't really know how you get to the Dismal Swamp. I assume you put in on the river and paddle north (downriver) to get to the swamp. However, I don't know if the current is typically slow enough that you can paddle back to the ramp. When we went there, the current was steady due to heavy rains the previous day. So, we didn't paddle there. If you have any more information on paddling the Dismal Swamp, I would love to hear from you. I have yet to find any other information on this area. The park website is abysmal.

Big Hill Pond State Park

StateParks.com