The best camping near Reelfoot Lake State Park

A series of violent earthquakes in the early 19th century created the unique ecosystem of Reelfoot Lake State Park. Located in the northwest corner of Tennessee, the park is home to a 15,000-acre lake, which is a flooded forest—while cypress trees rise above the water, submerged cypress stumps lie beneath. The shallow lake offers boating and fishing, but swimming is not permitted. The park has five easy hiking trails that range from a half-mile to two miles in length and are popular for watching birds, including golden and American bald eagles. Two campgrounds are suitable for RVs campers and tents.

1. Booking in advance can be easily done online or by phone up to one year in advance.
2. The larger South Campground is the most popular of the two sites and gets extremely busy in April and May—make reservations well in advance.
3. Double-check your dates before booking—a non-refundable booking fee applies.

Reelfoot Lake State Park is open year-round, but for wildlife lovers, the best time to visit is during January and February when thousands of bald eagles arrive. At this time, park staff lead daily bald eagle and waterfowl tours and the annual Reelfoot Eagle Festival takes place in February. Deep swamp canoe trips are offered in March and April and scenic pontoon boat tours are offered May through September. Visit in fall to see hundreds of migrating white pelicans.

• Visit the park’s camp store to pick up gear, snacks, and other supplies.
• Only certified heat-treated firewood is allowed to enter the park as outside firewood.
• You'll need a fishing license to fish in Tennessee, as well as a special lake license to fish in the lake.