Reelfoot Lake State Park

Reelfoot Lake owes its existence to one of the most powerful earthquake sequences ever recorded in the eastern United States. Over the winter of 1811 and 1812, a series of tremendous shocks centered on the New Madrid area convulsed the Mississippi Valley, so strong they were felt across much of the continent and reportedly rang church bells far away.

The quakes dropped and warped the land, and in this low-lying area the ground sank while the Mississippi River, according to long-told accounts, briefly ran backward and poured into the new depression. When the water settled, a broad, shallow lake had appeared where forest and lowland had been, drowning stands of trees that still stand as submerged and standing cypress today.

The land here is the ancestral country of the Chickasaw and other Native peoples of the lower Mississippi, who witnessed the upheaval and knew this country long before it was reshaped. The earthquakes left behind a lake so unusual that it has drawn naturalists, hunters, and travelers ever since, a living reminder of how suddenly the earth can remake a landscape.

The defining feature of Reelfoot is its bald cypress, a water-loving tree that thrives with its roots submerged and often sends up woody knees around its base. Because the earthquake flooded a standing forest, the lake is full of these trees, some rising from open water, their reflections doubling them on still mornings into one of the most photographed scenes in the state.

The lake itself is remarkably shallow and studded with stumps and submerged wood, a maze of open water, cypress groves, lily pads, and marsh. That shallowness and abundance of cover make it extraordinarily rich in life, but they also demand care from boaters, which is part of why guided tours are such a popular way to explore the flooded forest safely.

Reelfoot is best known for its bald eagles, which gather here in impressive numbers through the winter to fish the open water, drawing visitors from across the region to watch the great birds perch in the cypress and soar over the lake. Winter eagle tours are among the park's signature experiences.

The eagles are only part of it. The lake and its marshes teem with herons, egrets, ospreys, ducks, geese, and other waterfowl and wading birds, and it lies along a major migratory flyway, so the birdlife shifts with the seasons. Turtles, snakes, and other wetland creatures fill the shallows, making Reelfoot one of the richest wildlife-watching destinations in Tennessee.

The same shallow, fertile waters that support so much wildlife make Reelfoot a celebrated fishing lake, long famous among anglers for its bluegill, crappie, and bass. The cover and food that fill the lake support strong fish populations, and generations of fishermen have prized its waters. Boating, whether by fishing boat, canoe, or a guided pontoon tour, is the classic way to experience the lake.

Winter is the season of the eagles and the clearest views through the bare cypress, and it draws many visitors despite the cold. Spring and fall bring migrating birds and comfortable weather, ideal for boating and wildlife watching. Summer is hot, humid, and buggy in the marshes, but green and full of life, with lily pads blooming across the shallows and the flooded forest at its most lush.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Reelfoot Lake State Park, in the far northwestern corner of Tennessee, protects the remarkable Reelfoot Lake, a shallow, cypress-studded lake formed by powerful earthquakes long ago, famous for its haunting beauty and abundant wildlife, especially bald eagles. The lake was created when massive earthquakes caused the land to sink and the Mississippi River to flood the area, leaving a unique flooded forest of bald cypress trees standing in the water, now a haven for birds, fish, and wildlife. The park offers boating, fishing, birdwatching, especially famous eagle viewing in winter, and stunning scenery. A hauntingly beautiful and wildlife-rich lake park, it delights visitors. With its cypress lake, Reelfoot Lake State Park offers a compelling destination in Tennessee.

Reelfoot Lake was formed by a series of powerful earthquakes long ago, among the strongest in the region's recorded history, which caused the land to sink and the Mississippi River to flood the depression, creating the shallow lake. Trees that had grown on the land were left standing in the water, forming the lake's distinctive drowned cypress forest. This dramatic geological origin gives the lake its unique character and haunting beauty. Understanding this history enriches a visit to Reelfoot Lake State Park in Tennessee.

You can boat and fish among the cypress trees, take guided boat tours, watch for abundant birds and wildlife, and, especially in winter, view the famous bald eagles that gather at the lake, along with hiking and enjoying the scenery. The unique cypress lake, the boating and fishing, the birdwatching, and the celebrated eagle viewing are the draws, making it a remarkable destination. The bald eagles and the drowned cypress forest are highlights. With its lake and wildlife, Reelfoot Lake State Park offers a rewarding experience in Tennessee.

Winter is the famous season for viewing the bald eagles that gather at the lake, making it a special time for eagle watching, while the mild months of spring through fall are pleasant for boating, fishing, and general birdwatching and scenery. Because eagle viewing is seasonal and some tours run on schedules, checking current information before you go is wise. For the famous eagles visit in winter, or for boating and general wildlife aim for spring through fall, at Reelfoot Lake State Park in Tennessee.

Reelfoot Lake State Park is in the far northwestern corner of Tennessee, within reach of Discovery Park of America in Union City to the east, the Mississippi River, and the nearby Kentucky and Missouri borders. That makes Reelfoot Lake State Park a compelling stop to combine with Discovery Park of America and the other attractions of West Tennessee on a visit to the state.