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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
As an avid explorer I love to find the lesser-known spots wherever I go, so today I want to tell you about a scenic spot that you won’t find on any lists of scenic drives in Tennessee. We had to travel far away and along many remote roads, but what we found was completely worth it. The area of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is simply breathtaking and within this place is hidden a plethora of wonderful Tennessee hiking trails, as well as fascinating unique finds. So here are some of the exquisite locations within this natural area which ends at a jaw-dropping overlook!
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Deep in the northern part of Tennessee, you won’t find much civilization other than a few homes and an occasional store. The small towns are scattered among farmlands and forested mountains which already makes for a pretty drive. Our destination was Big South Fork, and we had planned to do some hiking in the area; what we discovered was so much more than we were expecting. The scenery takes a dramatic shift once you see the sign for the national river, and that was when we started to take the windy road down. The canopy of trees gets thicker, and the sun seems to darken under its long branches. As we traveled ever down, the rock walls extended higher, affording views of the fascinating rounded edges and Swiss cheese-like holes.
Sign at entrance to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
Inevitably, we passed the river from which the park gets its name. It was certainly beautiful, but what caught our attention was a broken bridge down the water. We decided to make a detour in our plans to take a closer look. Navigating the roads, we found our way to the river and found some pretty pathways leading down to the water. The previous bridge was a broken ruin of its former self, and I found the contrast between what was man-made and what was natural and rather beautiful.
After spending some time driving around and taking in the scenery, we found our way to the Bandy Creek Visitor’s Center. In the same spot was a large and nice-looking campground if you are looking for a spot within the park to stay. At the time we went, there was some storm damage, so I went to ask the ranger which roads were still open. Along the way, we discovered a butterfly garden in front of the visitor center. We are never too busy on a scenic drive to stop and appreciate the small details, so we admired the fluttering creatures while waiting for the ranger to be free.
The ranger told me that unfortunately the roads we were planning to go down were closed, but he had a few more suggestions for us to make the most of our day. This is why it can be helpful to talk to your park rangers because what he told me was something I didn’t know existed and was the perfect cap to our day. Our final stop was the East Rim Overlook.
We didn’t really know exactly what to expect, but we followed his directions to a parking lot. After a very short walk through the woods, this view greeted us! The scene was simply jaw-dropping as we watched the river snake through the lush green mountains. We might not have been able to do the hikes we planned, but a quick change of plans landed us at the prettiest view of the river we could have hoped for. Sometimes, your adventures take you in a different direction than you planned, but it's the unexpected joys of the unknown that can be the greatest rewards.
Big South Fork may not be on anyone’s list of the most scenic drives in Tennessee, but I can tell you it is not just a pretty drive but also filled with stops to explore further. I am itching to get back and see more of this marvelous area, but if you do hope to take in some hikes, then I would suggest using the AllTrails app to help you navigate the park. The area is very remote, and you won’t have cell service, so downloading the maps ahead of time will be super helpful when you are there.
Some of the best parks in Tennessee are world-renowned for the gorgeous geological formations tucked away in the mountains and the stunning waterways that snake through the meat of the region. But what about some of the little-known parks in Tennessee? State parks are maintained and regulated by the state, and since Tennessee offers such a wide expanse of outdoor activities there is a little something for everyone. If you’re looking for solitude, however, you will find it at Panther Creek Park in Morristown. This stunning park is what I would call a hidden gem of Tennessee. Panther Creek is tucked away in one of the oldest original settlements in the county, and its deep history is fascinating to history buffs. It also happens to be one of the best parks near me. So let's jump in!
Panther Creek State Park can be found in Hamblen County in east Tennessee. The area was once referred to as Panther Springs and is known as one of the oldest and most historic early settlements in the area. In fact, Panther Springs once served as the first stagecoach stop out of Knoxville.
The area was first inhabited by the Cherokee tribe, and hunting for elk, bear, and deer was prevalent. European settlers did not make their way to the area until 1785.
Panther Creek State Park presently encompasses almost 1,500 acres of land in the Holston River Valley. The waterfront park borders the Cherokee Reservoir, a waterway named in honor of the area's first inhabitants.
Visitors love to fish on the lake which is stocked with crappie, bluegill, catfish, and more. Some folks even catch 20-pound rockfish! There are commercial marinas on the lake as well for boat launching and rental opportunities. Forgot your bait? No worries! There's a bait shop on-site as well with all your picnic accouterments and fishing needs.
Make sure you stop by the visitor center if you have any questions about the 30 miles of hiking trails or the seven miles of horseback riding routes. With 17 different walking trails that traverse varying terrain, Panther Creek State Park has something for folks of all backgrounds and abilities.
Cycling, birding, and swimming are all popular activities at Panther Creek State Park. There is a disc golf course for enthusiasts, and the Panther Creek Playground is great for the little ones.
Have you ever heard of Panther Creek State Park? Will you be planning an adventure here sometime soon?
Hopefully, now we have inspired you to get to know one of the most little-known parks in Tennessee. What a beautiful place to visit! You can learn more about the beautiful Panther Creek State Park either on its official Panther Creek State Park website or the Panther Creek State Park Facebook page. The best way to experience this park is to get out on the hiking trails. A quick download of the AllTrails app will help you find the perfect hike for you before you go. Another great state park close by is Roan Mountain so check out this trail in the park you may be interested in by watching this video below:
