Sitting on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi in the farthest Western reaches of Tennessee sits the absolutely gorgeous Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park. As the name suggests, the park is a labyrinth of trees. In some areas, the trees even pop up through the edges of the water to form one of the coolest kayaking experiences our state has to offer. Here are just a few more reasons why you need to visit this park ASAP.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park - Facebook Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park sits on the Mississippi only 13 miles north of Memphis, but it feels so removed and secluded that it might as well be in another world.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park - Facebook The park is dotted with Cypress and Tupelo swamps that visitors are able to kayak through, whether they bring their own or rent one from the park.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park The park also features over 20 miles of trails for anyone looking to take a nice hike. The Chickasaw Bluff Trail is over 8 miles and provides great views of the park’s Poplar Tree Lake.
Roland Klose - Flickr And what would a State Park be without camping? Meeman-Shelby offers 49 campsites that come with electric and water, so you don’t have to feel too removed from civilization if you don’t want to.
Tyrin Price - Flickr Of the park’s 2 lakes, the 125-acre Poplar Tree Lake is open for boating and fishing year-round. Just know that no gasoline motors are allowed on the lake.
DiscourseMarker - Flickr Meeman-Shelby is also one of the best places in the area to see wildlife. The park attracts hundreds of visitors every year just to watch the plentiful bald eagles that live and feed in the park.
DiscourseMarker - Flickr What are you waiting for? The park is open year-round, with activities at the nature center only taking place in the warmer summer months.
Love seeing our beautiful state even in the cold? Here’s where to go this winter.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park - Facebook
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park sits on the Mississippi only 13 miles north of Memphis, but it feels so removed and secluded that it might as well be in another world.
The park is dotted with Cypress and Tupelo swamps that visitors are able to kayak through, whether they bring their own or rent one from the park.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
The park also features over 20 miles of trails for anyone looking to take a nice hike. The Chickasaw Bluff Trail is over 8 miles and provides great views of the park’s Poplar Tree Lake.
Roland Klose - Flickr
And what would a State Park be without camping? Meeman-Shelby offers 49 campsites that come with electric and water, so you don’t have to feel too removed from civilization if you don’t want to.
Tyrin Price - Flickr
Of the park’s 2 lakes, the 125-acre Poplar Tree Lake is open for boating and fishing year-round. Just know that no gasoline motors are allowed on the lake.
DiscourseMarker - Flickr
Meeman-Shelby is also one of the best places in the area to see wildlife. The park attracts hundreds of visitors every year just to watch the plentiful bald eagles that live and feed in the park.
What are you waiting for? The park is open year-round, with activities at the nature center only taking place in the warmer summer months.
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