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    Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park

    4.0 (11 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Darya S.

    Pinson Mounds makes for a nice and relaxing nature walk for a couple of hours. The park covers more than 1,200 acres, but the trail we did was about 4-5 miles and it's fully flat land; you should still wear sneakers. I appreciated how well kept it is! Not only are there flags to lead you through, but also the grass and trees are super clean and pretty. Watch out for baby frogs and colorful butterflies, not to mention all the spider webs getting in your face! The history is cool, too, and there signs with a few lines throughout the walk giving some tidbits. Pinson Mounds is a prehistoric Native American complex with seventeen mounds built during the Middle Woodland period (c. 1-500 AD). Sauls' Mound, at 72 feet, is the second-highest surviving mound in the US, and there is a 125-step staircase (yes, I counted!) that lets you go to the peak. The view is lovely! These mounds were built religious ceremonial purposes or political gatherings, and the layout, it seems, is based on astronomical alignment; for instance, Mound 28 is almost aligned with Sauls' in the direction of the Summer solstice sunrise. There was also a museum that supposedly had artifacts, but it was closed when we went. The park is also the site of Archaeofest, an event held every September that celebrates the site's prehistoric builders. Sounds nerdy! Anyway, it's open from sunrise until sunset, and it's supremely quiet, so go with someone you're comfortable being in silence with, take a walk, and enjoy the nature!

    Brandi H.

    This park hosts 17 Native American mounds, used for ceremonial purposes in the Middle Woodland Period (200 BCE). It became a state park in the 1950s, has a gift shop, picnic areas, a museum, and over 6 miles of trails. Trails include The Boardwalk (.3 mi), the Ducknest Access trail (.2 mi), the Earthworks Trail (.45 mi), the Gravel Trail (.3 mi), the Hudson Branch Trail (.8 mi), the Mounds Great Outer Loop Trail (2.45 mi), the Mounds Inter Loop Trail (1.6 mi), and the Nature Trail (1.05 mi). Plan time to explore the grounds, and give yourself plenty of time to explore the museum, which had tons of information and display.

    It's literally a cartoon even a child could understand. Totally disrespectful for an employee to not wear a mask indoors.

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    8 years ago

    Great place, always enjoy it with the kids. We enjoy going there and getting a good hike in as well as some history.

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    Review Highlights - Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park

    The main mound, which I think is called "Saul's Mound," is 72 feet tall and comparatively steep, relative to other mounds I've seen in the SE.

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    Big Hill Pond State Park

    Big Hill Pond State Park

    4.8(5 reviews)
    30.5 mi

    There was a levee built in 1835 that led to the creation of Big Hill Pond, a 35 acre pond. The…read morestate park surrounding the land is over 4,000 acres of land which has marshland, timberland, and other natural resources. The park offers horse trails, bike trails, two picnic pavilions, boating, fishing, paddling, 28 primitive campsites, a visitor's center, and an observation tower. There's over 30 miles of trails, including the Azalea Spring Day Loop (2.95 mi), the Big Hill Pond Access Trail (0.30 mi), the Big Hill Pond Trail (4.75 mi), the Dogwood Point Trail (3.10 mi), the Dry Ridge Trail (2.85 mi), the Fox Hollow Trail (.65 mi), the Horse (& Mtn Bike) Trail (6.0 mi), the Rocky Knob Trail (2.40 mi), the Turkey Call Trail (2.45 mi), and the Tuscumbia Trail (2.30 mi). They also offer rentals of kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards in the summer. When we went, the trail to the observation tower was out of pocket due to flooding, so we definitely want to go back.

    Fantastic state park under two hours from Memphis! The park…read moreis underused, which is great because you have a lot of privacy! The trails are decently marked and there are over 30 miles to be hiked of varying difficulty. The observation tower is worth seeing and the trail to get there isn't terribly long. Camp sites are a little close to each other but I don't think it's ever busy here so it's a mute point. Bathrooms are the cleanest I've seen in a TN state park!! You have to use wood from the park and there is plenty of it, but bring a hatchet, you'll need it to split the big pieces! The staff were also very welcoming! Park is horse and pet friendly! I will be visiting again soon!!

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    Big Hill Pond State Park
    Big Hill Pond State Park
    Big Hill Pond State Park

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    Big Cypress Tree State Park - my view from lunch spot

    Big Cypress Tree State Park

    4.3(3 reviews)
    49.0 mi

    This is the most boring state park I've ever been to out of around 25 TN state parks (and several…read morein KY and SC). However, I say this as someone that loves to hike and usually long distances. I drove here from Franklin, TN. The drive is around three hours. It was a bit aggravating as 95% of the way here was one lane roads that will get you stuck behind semis going 15-20 under for 15-20 miles. SR-432 is littered with potholes and desperately needs redone. Also, for reference, it's June and 94 degrees in Greenfield, TN. I chose this state park because it's a hot day and I knew my dog couldn't be out long. It was worth it in a way for me because I'm trying to visit every TN state park ‍ Keep in mind that there are only two trails at this state park, both paved (well one is a boardwalk so wood I guess). I started at the visitor center which was closed and had no posted hours. I noticed the park was pretty empty, only one other car and I didn't end up seeing any people here. I went at 1 pm on a Tuesday for reference. There were some t shirts in the visitor center. If you park at the visitor center and walk behind it towards wooden signage, you will get to the boardwalk trail. There isn't a map of the trail at the start, but there is some history info that's somewhat legible if you can squint past the wealth of bird poop. Once on the wooden boardwalk, it's pretty and well taken care of. There are plenty of spots to sit, but also a million mosquitos so I didn't want to stop moving for long (I forgot to put on bug spray). Just a little bit into the boardwalk there is construction and there weren't any warnings at the beginning that the trail was closed past a certain point. The water around the trees was mostly dried up from the heat so it might be better to go when it's not hot or after a lot of rain. You can hear birds here, but the only wildlife I saw was a small lizard scurrying across the boardwalk. I then went to the picnic area parking and ate lunch. It was a nice little spot to eat lunch and there are tons of benches and tables around this area, some more tucked away. Park bathrooms are so hit or miss, but this bathroom is nice. It looks newly renovated and it was clean and cold inside. I walked the trail after. It wasn't anything too exciting, but it was a storybook trail and the story was legible throughout the entire trail so good for kids. It was more shaded than the boardwalk, but you might find a tick on you after this one. There's a basketball hoop, a playground, and lots of those little park grills. There are paper maps available by the picnic area parking. As for dog friendliness, there aren't poop bags and the refillable dog water bowl is broken and gross. However, there is a faucet next to it with a half broken concrete divot that will hold enough water long enough for your dog to drink water. I would be careful where your dog steps though and don't let them lay down because there's a jagged piece of unmovable mesh wire poking up. There's a little garden, but I will say it's hard to tell what plants are what because there are so many weeds. Overall, an underwhelming state park that you might just have to visit in order to check it off your list.

    Nice place to spend the day . Trails are good . Playground and clean restrooms. Great place to…read morepicnic.

    Photos
    Big Cypress Tree State Park - Closed boardwalk 6/30/26

    Closed boardwalk 6/30/26

    Big Cypress Tree State Park - The picnic area trail with story trail

    The picnic area trail with story trail

    Big Cypress Tree State Park - View of the water from the boardwalk

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    View of the water from the boardwalk

    Tishomingo State Park - Swinging Bridge at Tishomingo State Park

    Tishomingo State Park

    4.7(27 reviews)
    68.2 mi

    Nestled along the back roads of Tishomingo County, this park feels like a second home. With hiking…read moretrails for every level of experience, there's truly something for everyone. The campground offers over 60 sites, plus six cozy cabins. Three of these are rustic stone cabins with two rooms each, while the other three are smaller, single-room cabins. Cabin Six has been beautifully updated with new floors, furniture, appliances, and a modern bathroom. For larger groups, the park also has three group camp cabins--each with 20 bunk beds and spacious bathrooms that include showers, toilets, and sinks. The park is full of history and adventure. Visitors can explore the Pioneer Cabin and its nearby waterfall, or cross the famous swinging bridge--a suspension bridge that stretches 25 feet over Bear Creek. On the other side, you'll find two trails perfect for bouldering, rock climbing, or simply wandering through the forest. Wildlife is abundant, with deer, squirrels, raccoons, and plenty of other critters calling the park home. There are three scenic pavilions for picnics or gatherings. Pavilion One has restrooms nearby, Pavilion Two overlooks Haines Lake, and Pavilion Three also offers a beautiful view of the water. The dining hall is available for weddings, reunions, meetings, and other special events. Fishing enthusiasts will love the three fishing spots: Haines Lake, a quiet pond behind the Pioneer Cabin, and Bear Creek beneath the swinging bridge. For families, the park includes two playgrounds, a sports field, and plenty of picnic tables with cast-iron grills scattered throughout. Outdoor fun continues with three disc golf courses designed for different skill levels. And when it's time to clean up, the campground features two bathhouses that are always kept tidy by the hardworking park staff. Tishomingo State Park is more than just a destination--it's a place where history, nature, and community come together.

    This is a great place to experience the outdoors. Fishing, Camping, Hiking, canoeing, swimming…read morepool, swinging bridge, disc golf. A beautiful place for the family.

    Photos
    Tishomingo State Park - Rock formations - Tishomingo State Park

    Rock formations - Tishomingo State Park

    Tishomingo State Park - Small waterfall at Tishomingo State Park

    Small waterfall at Tishomingo State Park

    Tishomingo State Park - Flat Rock Trail

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    Flat Rock Trail

    Reelfoot Lake State Park

    Reelfoot Lake State Park

    4.6(16 reviews)
    74.3 mi

    I have always lived near ReelFoot lake and I grew up going there on special occasions. I had never…read morebeen on the boat tours until recently however. I had the opportunity on my day off from work to come visit this park in all of its beauty. My first boat outing was with their seasonal ranger Jewell West, she was very knowledgeable and personable! She was definitely passionate about the eagles, the park, our beautiful state, and the preservation of our state's natural wonders. On our outing we saw nearly 16 eagles, plenty of osprey, and many other native species. It was a very enjoyable way to spend the morning, and a very beautiful and relaxing ride! That afternoon I came back for the history of the lake boat ride, it was shorter than the eagle spotting venture, but was also with seasonal ranger West. She painted a unique picture about the geological origins of the lake and its troubled past. It was very interesting, and I really enjoyed hearing about it while actively seeing it in person. The facilities at the state park are brand new and they are amazing. They have very enriching and hands on ways to experience this park's history and biological elements. Many of their facilities are brand new due to increased funding and repairs after a tornado a few years ago. The flora and fauna of the lake are immensely beautiful. This place is most definitely a hidden gem for west Tennessee! I look forward to coming back this July for the 250th anniversary of the USA celebration.

    It has always been nice to walk around the park. Looking at all wildlife and just enjoying…read moreoutdoors. You could have a family picnic or walk trails.

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    Reelfoot Lake State Park
    Reelfoot Lake State Park
    Reelfoot Lake State Park

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    Ghost River Outfitters

    Ghost River Outfitters

    5.0(6 reviews)
    49.8 mi

    A month ago, during Memorial Day weekend when it wasn't sweltering hot yet in Memphis, my husband I…read morewere debating what to do with our rare time off. We decided we would go hiking somewhere in Arkansas or Missouri as it appeared that nothing else naturey was close to Memphis. Well, guess what! There most definitely is!!! Ghost River Outfitters is about an hour outside of Memphis and offers canoe and kayak rentals down Wolf River. They also apparently offer stand up paddleboard rental for the truly adventurous (I will probably not try that until I am more physically fit aka never at this rate). We decided to rent a canoe and called the number on their website and reserved a spot for Sunday morning. We packed sunblock, lots of water, a lunch, snacks, and drove out to Moscow TN to the rendezvous spot. They took us in vans a couple miles down to where they launched us off and gave us some brief instructions during the ride. It took us about 4 hours to get down the river back to where our cars were parked. I really could write a novel about what happened to us during the canoe ride (think almost colliding with a snake, attempting to rescue a poor couple that capsized and thanking God it wasn't us, seeing GORGEOUS nature that I did not know existed out here) but I'll sum it up as awesome!!! so many stories to tell about that trip. Some tips: 1. Call the number when you want to make a reservation. It fills up quickly 2. Definitely pack lunch - there's a little spot in the middle of the trip where you can "park" your canoe/kayak and stop to rest and eat. 3. Pack lots of water and sunblock! 4. Pay the extra bucks to go on the guided tour if you are directionally challenged or nervous about never having canoed/kayaked before. There were some spots where the signs are confusing and we definitely spent 10+ minutes trying to redirect ourselves back onto the right path. They also do nice stuff on the tour like show you where beaver dams are, etc 5. Waterproof your camera if you bring one When we went, the spots were completely filled up but one of the tour guides said that surprisingly, not many people in Memphis know this place exists but apparently word still gets out somehow because they have a lot of people that come from out of state. I feel like I just wrote everything and yet wrote nothing. This was the best thing we have ever done in/around Memphis. Give the website a look if you're interested!

    I canoed down Wolf/Ghost River and it was by far one of the coolest things I've ever done. And I'm…read moreincluding things outside of Memphis. You have to drive an hour outside of Memphis to Moscow, TN and that short hour transports you to a magical place. I didn't even know places like this existed in Tennessee. If this is your first time, I highly recommend, no insist, you get a guide. Thank heavens I did because if Harrison wasn't there we would still be trying to find our way back. And definitely read all of their information on the website before you make the reservations. This is a beautiful river and the best 5 hours I've spent during a weekend in quite awhile. I can't wait to go back!

    Photos
    Ghost River Outfitters
    Ghost River Outfitters
    Ghost River Outfitters

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    Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park - hiking - Updated September 2026

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