Reelfoot Lake State Park — Attraction in New Madrid

If you love history and nature then you'll love Reelfoot Lake State Park. Upon arriving, check out the different species of snakes in the nature center. Then take a walk down the path and see the display of eagles and owls outside. The visitor center beside that has a bathroom, maps and guides, and a mini museum with old Reelfoot lake history. The employees working there were very friendly and welcoming as well. The New Madrid quakes are described in a display; it's absolutely amazing how these powerful earthquakes of 1811-1812 created Reelfoot Lake and even made the mighty Mississippi River run backwards for 3 days! After you leave the visitor center you can make your way down the sidewalk onto a wooden trail that sits and wraps itself over the lake. It was a beautiful/sunny day with the perfect amount of shade and wind when I walke the distance of the water walkway. It's a perfect photo opportunity for any professional photographer or tourist that wants to get some gorgeous shots of the lake, the trees, snakes, fish, birds, etc. I even saw a pelican! They do offer boat tours, but being that the water was high and splashing onto the walkway on some parts, I didn't see any boats parked there. If you get hungry, Boyettes right across the street will have some of the best fish you've ever had. Plenty of hidden trails, fishing spots, and eagle viewing places to find as well! If you are looking for a day to just get outside into nature and relax, or maybe just a place to catch some fish, then Reelfoot Lake is definitely a...

THE GOOD: • The scenery is beautiful, Reelfoot Lake is a must-see place. Waterfront sites have a great view, especially at sunset. • The staff was super friendly and helpful • The variety of wildlife was really awesome, with all types of waterfowl and predatory birds to see • We didn’t set aside time to fish, but others were having success • If you have kids, Discovery Park of America is 30 minutes away, and you can dedicate a full day to that

THE BAD: • Many of the campsites have a water drainage issue. A storm front came through while we were there, and several sites had real water problems. • BUGS! Luckily we were a little early for mosquitoes, but other water bugs covered our camper and everything outside. I had to go through the camper with a vacuum every night sucking them up. • Not a lot to do outside of fishing or birdwatching (or duck hunting during season). Hiking trails were pretty minimal, and not many other attractions around. This may be a positive or a negative, depending on your mindset.

OVERALL: • We really enjoyed our visit, this is a great place for a low-key, relaxing getaway. • We will definitely be back, just a little more prepared for the...

Reelfoot Lake State Park is located in the northwest corner of Tennessee and is noted for its fishing, boating and wildlife viewing. The 15,000 acre lake was created by a series of violent earthquakes in 1811-1812 that caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards for a short period of time, creating Reelfoot Lake.

The park’s ecosystem is unlike any other place in Tennessee. Reelfoot lake is a flooded forest. While Majestic Cypress trees rise above the water, below the surface are many submerged Cypress stumps. A variety of aquatic plants and flowers occupy the shoreline and saturate the shallow water. The lake harbors almost every kind of shore and wading bird as well as golden and American bald eagles.

A premier attraction for outdoor enthusiasts with hunting , fishing and kayaking

Duck hunting is a popular attraction

The museum at the park features historic and prehistoric artifacts and pottery from the region

The park houses a eagle and two owls

Boardwalk to the lake

Friendly...