Shelby Farms Park — Attraction in Memphis

The best park I've ever been to, though I haven't been to many large parks like this. Hyde Lake is a wonderful spot to watch the sunrise/sunset. Kayaks, canoes, ziplines, rental bikes, special events, rental pavilions, seafood restaurant, souvenir shop, restrooms, grills, Tour de Wolf mountain bike path, children's play area, large sand box, swinging benches, walkable trails, dedicated no-leash dog park, Buffalo, horseback riding—lots of things to do here! There's a dedicated separate biking path around Hyde Lake, just watch out for oblivious walkers who don't know what the bike images all over the path mean.

The big negative? Being located in Memphis means you will encounter some ghetto people, complete with cringe-worthy inappropriate outfits, gang clothing, loud rap music from portable speakers, and the occasional uncontrolled Pitbull. The staff does an excellent job cleaning up all their trash that they carelessly litter about.

Despite several large lakes/ponds, there is nowhere to actually swim. They have an overpriced splash pad that you have to reserve by time slot, but no pool. There's also no place to change clothes for the splash pad. It is probably for the best that there is no public pool here, since the ghetto element would show up and swim in their dirty boxers, old gym shorts, and nasty socks. Enforcing appropriate swimwear would be a nightmare for staff, since the go-to response would always be to pull the race/racism card.

Whether you want to enjoy the sights, view wildlife, ride horses, kayak, bike, or many other things, you just can't go wrong with...

Memphis is very lucky to have this special place. I love how it provides just enough variety of activities for people with different interests, while still leaving vast areas of natural landscapes for simply enjoying nature and for providing a habitat to the bison and other animals. I also love the special programs and seasonal events at Shelby Farms. I grew up visiting Shelby Farms several times a week for many years, until I moved away to the Southwest USA. This place holds a giant piece of my heart and it is responsible for fostering a connection to nature in me. Every time I come back home to Memphis this is one of the most important places to visit. I love how huge and sprawling it is for a city park, and how there are little parking areas spread throughout the park so any area and activity is very easily accessible. There are pockets of trees with trails you can meander and enough open land to sit on the grassy ground and take it all in. My older and less agile parents like the easy to access tables where they can sit with coffee. This place is great for both brief visits and for long leisurely visits. It has been great to see this place develop over the years and to see all the joy it gives people. Shelby Farms, I wish I could bring you to where I live now, you are...

I recently took my baby girl to Shelby Farms Park, and we had a really great time! The park is absolutely beautiful and full of space to explore. The playground area is fun, colorful, and perfect for younger kids my daughter had the best time. Watching her smile and enjoy herself made the whole trip more than worth it. That said, it was very packed when we went. It’s clearly a popular spot, especially on nice days. One downside was that some parents weren’t really watching their kids, and a few children were being pretty rough and playing in a way that didn’t feel very safe for the younger ones. I definitely had to keep a closer eye on my daughter than expected. Still, the park itself is amazing there’s so much to do, from walking trails to open fields and the lake. If you’re looking for a fun, active day with your kids, Shelby Farms is a great place to go. Just be prepared for crowds during peak hours, and keep an eye out if your little one is still small or just learning their way around.

Tip: Try going earlier in the morning or on a weekday if you want to avoid the bigger crowds. All in all, a great experience for us and we’ll definitely...