Last Updated March 24, 2009

Reelfoot is probably our favorite place we have found to paddle near Memphis. The cypress trees and swamp are in great health, there are usually all kinds of birds, there is plenty of area to explore, and I have never seen the water level too low to paddle. Reelfoot lake is actually covered by three different areas: Reelfoot State Park, Reelfoot Wildlife Management Area, and Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge. There is a good map of Reelfoot Lake that is produced by FHS Maps. You can buy it online or find it at some area businesses. For a general overview of the NWR, there is also a map here.

While we have not been to all of the areas, our favorite is the "Grassy Island Unit" in the NWR. Taking a left off of the boat ramp puts you right in the middle of large areas of cypress, water plants, and hours of paddling fun. You could easily spend the day out there paddling around and not retrace your route.

There is also access by ramp at Samburg and Gray's Camp, among others. However, these areas are more wideopen lake and not as interesting, in my opinion, as paddling through the cypress trees.

Years ago, we drove the gravel roads south from Hwy 1282 (not on map) into the Long Point Unit. I believe there was a ramp where the road ends at the water, but the vegetation in the water was so thick that you could not easily paddle through it. Maybe it is better outside of fall? I dunno...

As with other National Wildlife Refuges, the Grassy Island unit is closed in the fall and opens again in the spring to allow birds to enjoy the refuge without being disturbed. Currently, the opening and closing dates are Nov 15 and Mar 15, respectively.

As I stated previously, I have never been to Reelfoot when the water level was too low to paddle. Thanks to man-made structures, the water levels are somewhat controlled. However, the levels do change with the season and weather. The lowest gage reading when I have paddled was 10.4 ft. At that level, paddling through the trees was rather limited and many water plants had bloomed everywhere making progress in some areas slower. Typically, the levels are higher.

There are multiple options in terms of hotels and cabins in Tiptonville. However, even in the off-season with the lake to ourselves, most of the places are still asking a minimum of $50 per night. The only camping I have found is at the State Park Campgrounds. There is one on the south side of the lake, right in between Hwy 21 and the lake. This is a nice, wooded campground with plenty of green grass. It is usually a majority RVs but the campground is pretty big and I have never seen it crowded enough that you couldn't find a campsite that was at least a couple of sites away from everyone else. In fact, they even have walk-in sites for tents in the very back of the campground. The bathrooms are pretty nice with showers. Besides the walk-in tent sites, all of the sites have water and electricity. Check the dates that this campground is open. They close in the fall and open again in spring.

The state park also has a small campground on the west side of the lake at the "airpark" near the Park Inn, but that campground isn't near as nice. There are bathrooms with a shower that are available in the small building near the airstrip that is only a short walk from the camp sites. I would definitely recommend the main campground on Hwy 21, though.

The Park Inn is rather cheap ($40-$60) but looks a little run down. It is out over the water in the trees, so that is rather.....unique.

Reelfoot Lake is about 2 hours north of Memphis. We like to take Hwy 51 north to Dyersburg since it is a little more scenic than the interstate.

The best access to the Grassy Island Unit is to take Hwy 22 through Samburg to a left on Hwy 157. After passing the NWR visitor center on the left, take a left at Walnut Log and drive to the end where there is a parking lot, boat ramp, and pier.

Reelfoot Lake State Park

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Reelfoot Site

Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge

Reelfoot Lake - Tiptonville Gage