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Tennessee River Wildlife Trail

The Tennessee River Wildlife Trail consists of 27 sites with significant wildlife viewing potential situated along or near the Tennessee River in Southeast Tennessee. These locations are easy to access and have a high probability of sighting wildlife, and include drive-up overlooks, paddling trails, and hiking trails up to four miles in length. Most of the sites provide opportunities to spot waterfowl, such as ducks, coots, and cormorants, as well as herons, wild turkeys, ospreys and other birds-of-prey, muskrats, turtles, and white-tailed deer.

The Tennessee River Wildlife Trail is a project of the Nickajack Naturalist in collaboration with the Southeast Tennessee Tourism Association.

South Pittsburg Riverpark/Battle Creek

The South Pittsburg Riverpark is adjacent to the mouth of Battle Creek and is a good launch site for paddling up the creek for five miles or more. A paddle trip on Battle Creek will provide numerous opportunities for sighting wildlife, from deer along the creek banks to a wide variety of birds, turtles, fish, and more.

Amenities: boat ramp, picnicking.

Year-Round: Wood Ducks on Battle Creek, Great Blue Heron.

South Pittsburg Municipal Park, South Pittsburg, TN

Battle Creek—TVA Tract 

Battle Creek flows through this 145 acre tract that contains a mixture of bottomland forest and wetlands. A ¾ mile gravel drive restricted to foot traffic partly follows alongside the creek and provides easy access and opportunities for viewing a variety of wildlife. An undeveloped canoe launch site near the Hwy. 72 bridge can be reached from the parking area.

Amenities: trailhead kiosk with map.

Summer: Green Heron. Year-Round: Great Blue Heron, Wood Duck.

Tennessee Valley Authority

Kimball Park 

The 100+ acre Kimball Park, stretching from I-24 to the banks of the Tennessee River, is one of the best locations in Marion County for birding. The park encompasses several ball fields, a paved walking track, several ponds, and an agricultural field. Blue herons, green-backed herons, egrets, various ducks, coots, killdeer, kingfishers, red-tailed and other hawks, ospreys, and even the occasional bald eagle are just some of the bird species likely to be seen here.

Amenities: Picnicking, rest rooms.

Hours: 6:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m., Central Time.

Summer: Osprey, Great Egret, Green Heron.  Winter: American Coot, Wilson’s Snipe, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Harrier.  Year-Round: Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Meadowlark, Belted Kingfisher, Mourning Dove, Killdeer, Rock Pigeon.

Town of Kimball

Nickajack Dam (North End)

The recreation area immediately around the northern end of Nickajack Dam, while not well developed for hiking, is a good place for wildlife viewing. Deteriorating paved roads are available for walks under the power lines, along the river bank, and through an abandoned camp ground, with opportunities to see wildlife along the way. The adjoining 500 acre Lower Sequatchie Management Unit provides unmarked dirt roads through farm fields and bottomland hardwood forests, as well as small hidden swamps. All types of wildlife common to the Tennessee River Wildlife Trail are likely to be seen here. While no longer owned by TVA, the adjacent Shellmound Recreation Area remains available to the public, and provides camping, picnicking, and a network of short trails winding through the woods.

Amenities: Camping, picnicking, boat ramps, rest rooms.

Tennessee Valley Authority, 

Nickajack Dam (South End)

While a smaller tract of land than on the north end, the south end of Nickajack Dam provides good opportunities for seeing bald eagles, waterfowl, herons, and other wildlife. There are a couple of undeveloped shore access areas on Nickajack Lake, a fishing pier below the dam, and a couple of old roads which allow walking into the woods near the dam.

Amenities: Rest rooms, fishing pier.

Tennessee Valley Authority

Nickajack Cave Wildlife Refuge/Maple View Recreation Area

Nickajack Cave is best known for thousands of grey bats, which can be seen emerging from the cave entrance at dusk during the summer. Cliff swallows are also known to nest here. The cave can be reached by boat anytime, though fencing across the entrance prevents boats from entering the cave. Maple View Recreation Area, open seasonally, provides a short trail and board walk to an overlook near the cave entrance.

Amenities at Maple View Recreation Area: Boat ramp, picnicking, rest rooms. 

Tennessee Valley Authority      Maple View Recreation Area managed by the City of New Hope.

Little Cedar Mountain 

Four miles of hiking trails allow one to experience this bio-diverse ecosystem with its unique geology and plant communities, as well as its abundant wildlife, including deer, turkey, coyotes, and more. An overlook of Nickajack Lake provides a chance to spot ospreys, bald eagles, and waterfowl, and a view of the surrounding Cumberland Plateau terrain.

Summer: Osprey  Year-Round: Bald Eagle, Double-crested Cormorant. American Crow, Red-tailed Hawk, Wild Turkey.

Tennessee Valley Authority

Marion County Park 

Located primarily on a peninsula in Nickajack Lake, gravel roads circle the park, allowing good views of the lake. Waterfowl are common, especially in winter. A good place to see ospreys.

Amenities: Camping, picnicking, rest rooms, fishing pier, boat ramps.

Marion County Park      Marion County, TN

Pot Point Nature Trail 

A 3.5 mile loop trail on this 491 acre tract climbs to nearly 1,000 feet elevation and also follows alongside the Tennessee River for part of the route, passing through mountainside hardwood forest and successional river bottom growth on former farm fields.

Amenities: TN River Blueway camp site. 

Tennessee River Gorge Trust

Raccoon Mountain Pumped Storage Facility 

TVA’s Raccoon Mountain Pumped Storage Facility is a unique power generating plant buried deep within Raccoon Mountain, under a 528 acre reservoir. The lake is encircled by a pave road and a 20 mile network of multi-use trails for mountain biking and hiking. This is a great location to spot bald eagles in winter, either around the lake or over the Tennessee River Gorge. There is a drive up overlook on the lake. Also, walking or biking the road which runs along the top of the dam will provide opportunities to see eagles and other wildlife. The visitor center observation deck overlooks the Tennessee River Gorge. In the past, this was the site of organized fall hawk watches.

Amenities: Visitor center, rest rooms, picnicking.

Tennessee Valley Authority

Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center

The 300+ acre Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center is located at the base of Lookout Mountain and is bordered on the opposite side by Lookout Creek. It is an outstanding place to see wildlife of all types, encompassing forests, meadows, ponds, and mountainside. There is a three mile gravel driving loop and twelve miles of hiking trails, as well as access to many more miles of hiking in the adjoining Lookout Mountain unit of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. In addition, a variety of captive wildlife, including red wolves, may be seen at the nature center.

Amenities: Rest rooms, canoe rental, wildlife exhibits, driving tour.

Fee: Entrance fee or membership required.

Hours: Daylight hours for members. Otherwise, hours vary depending on season.

Year-Round: American Goldfinch, Cedar Waxwing, Wild turkey, Canada Goose, Turkey Vulture. Great Blue Heron. 

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

Signal Point

A 5-acre park atop Signal Mountain with a panoramic view of the Tennessee River Gorge, Signal Point is a traditional location for viewing fall hawk migrations.

Amenities: Picnicking, rest rooms.

Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park

Blue Blazes Trail - Moccasin Bend National Archeological District                                                         

The 1.5 mile Blue Blazes loop trail is located on the 755 acre Moccasin Bend Archeological District, a unit of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. The trail passes through bottomland forest and alongside swamps and river banks, providing good chances to spot a variety of wildlife, including White-tailed Deer, Beaver, and various Turtles. 

Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park     

Tennessee Riverpark - Amnicola Marsh/Curtain Pole Rd. Swamp     

These two sites are close together on the Tennessee Riverwalk and are likely places to see a variety of wetland birds and other wildlife. Green-backed herons are especially plentiful at the Curtain Pole Rd. Swamp.

Amenities: Picnicking, rest rooms, interpretive signage.

Summer: Green Herons at Curtain Pole Road Swamp

Year-Round: Canada Geese at Amnicola Marsh.

Tennessee Riverpark managed by Hamilton County & City of Chattanooga    

Tennessee Riverpark - Chickamauga Dam 

The Tennessee Riverpark runs from Chickamauga Dam to downtown Chattanooga. The section just below Chickamauga Dam is a popular bird watching location. Peregrine falcons have been known to nest on the railroad bridge just below the dam. Great blue herons are plentiful, as are opportunities to spot waterfowl and other wildlife.         

Amenities: Picnicking, rest rooms, fishing pier, interpretive signage.     

Tennessee Riverpark  managed by Hamilton County & City of Chattanooga    

Brainerd Levee      

The Brainerd Levee was constructed in the 1970’s to prevent the flooding of Brainerd neighborhoods by South Chickamauga Creek. The 2.6 mile paved trail atop the levee has been used for many years for walking. Its elevated position provides excellent views of several wetland areas, generally opposite the creek, and mown fields between the levee and the creek. Wildlife include waterfowl, especially in winter, marsh birds such as blue herons, egrets, and as many as 23 species of migrating shorebirds. Several beaver dams can be seen from the levee. Spring and fall are best times to see marsh birds.    

City of Chattanooga Parks   

North Chickamauga Creek Greenway/Greenway Farm/Big Ridge TVA Small Wild Area     

TVA’s Big Ridge Small Wild Area is adjacent to the greenway and has a 1.25 mile loop hiking trail on forested hillside. The Greenway Farm is a 180 acre city park consisting of open meadows and forests, which combined with the North Chickamauga Creek Greenway constitutes 220 acres. There are six miles of trail and three canoe access points along a 2.5 mile section of North Chickamauga Creek. The greenway trail passes along the top of an old rock quarry, affording a scenic view of the Hixson area and Walden’s Ridge. This location provides a variety of wildlife viewing opportunities.  

Amenities: Picnicking, rest rooms, canoe launch sites.  

City of Chattanooga Parks       Tennessee Valley Authority    

Chester Frost County Park 

Walking park roads provides year around bird watching opportunities in this 455 acre county park. Bald eagles and waterfowl are seen more in winter, with spring and fall best times to see migrating warblers and other songbirds. Brown-headed nuthatches and red-headed woodpeckers are two birds seen regularly.

Amenities: Picnicking, rest rooms. 

Hamilton County Parks & Recreation

Booker T. Washington State Park

On the shores of Chickamauga Lake, the 353 acre Booker T. Washington State Park is an excellent location for viewing a number of waterfowl and songbird species, as well as bald eagles.

Amenities: Picnicking, rest rooms, fishing pier, boat ramps.

Booker T. Washington State Park 

Harrison Bay State Park 

With 1,200 acres and approximately 40 miles of Chickamauga Lake shoreline, Harrison Bay State Park has good wildlife viewing year around, but especially waterfowl in winter. Check out the Harrison Bay Eagle Camp at www.harrisonbayeaglecam.org.

Amenities: Golf course, campground, picnicking, rest rooms, boat ramp, camp store, restaurant, fishing pier.

Harrison Bay State Park

Soddy Lake 

An embayment of Chickamauga Lake, Soddy Lake provides good fall and winter viewing of a variety of water birds in shallow waters and mudflats. There are two observation points - the fishing pier on the south end and the roadside park on the north end.

Amenities: Fishing pier, canoe launch.

City of Soddy-Daisy 

Cherokee Removal Memorial Park

This 29-acre park is located on a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River near its confluence with the Hiwassee River, and is near the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge. There is an interpretive visitor center and a covered deck on the bluff with great views of the river below and the Hiwassee Islands. In addition, a short trail leads from the visitor center to a small cove. A good place to view sandhill cranes and other water birds along the shoreline during winter.

Spring and Fall migration: Sandhill Crane.  Summer: Osprey, Hooded Merganser. Winter: Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Bonaparte’s Gull, Ring-billed Gull, American White Pelican, Sandhill Crane, Lesser Scaup Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow.  Year-Round: Mallard, Black-crowned Night Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Carolina Chickadee, Eastern Bluebird, Red-tailed Hawk. 

Meigs County, TN in partnership with other organizations.

Hiwassee Refuge

Hiwassee Refuge, consisting of 2,500 acres of land and 3,500 acres of water at the confluence of the Hiwassee and Tennessee Rivers on Chickamauga Lake, is best known for the largest winter flocks of sandhill cranes in the southeast U.S. outside of Florida. About a third of the land is planted in agricultural crops. Most of the refuge is off limits to the public during the winter (Nov. 15 through Feb.), but a wildlife observation platform is open year around. In addition to the sandhill cranes, whooping cranes are occasionally spotted. This is also an excellent location for viewing bald eagles in winter. Golden eagles are also occasionally seen.

Amenities: Wildlife viewing platform.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Cottonport Unit of Chickamauga Wildlife Management Area 

This site on the shore of Chickamauga Lake consists of backwater areas, old fields, and woodlands, and contains a great blue heron rookery. There are opportunities to view songbirds and bald eagles, and in backwater areas during low water, shorebirds and other waterfowl.

Amenities: Boat ramp. 

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Yuchi Refuge

A 2,500 acre tract at Smith’s Bend on the Tennessee River, Yuchi Refuge has 1,000 acres of fields and wetlands, 1,500 acres of upland forest, and three miles of river front. Most species of wildlife known to the region, as well as the occasional bobwhite quail, can be seen here. Winter is best for seeing sandhill cranes and waterfowl.

Amenities: Covered observation platform, river access. 

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Watts Bar Dam 

An overlook high above the river on the northwest corner of the dam, a picnic area and 0.3 mile wooded trail on the northeast corner, and a road and parking area along the river and bordering a field on the southeast corner all provide good chances for wildlife viewing. Ospreys, hawks, and other birds of prey, herons, waterfowl and wild turkeys are species likely to be seen.

Summer: Barn Swallows and Cliff Swallows seen from dam overlook on west side, Osprey.  Winter: Waterfowl, Bald Eagle.  Year-Round: Wild Turkey, Red-tailed Hawk.

Amenities: Picnicking, rest rooms, boat ramp.

Tennessee Valley Authority

Links

  • Tennessee River Wildlife Trail
  • Scheduled South Cumberland Outings
  • The Nickajack Coalition
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Links

  • Scheduled South Cumberland Outings
    Find upcoming hikes and other outings in the South Cumberland region.
  • Nickajack Coalition Page
    Learn about the Nickajack Coalition, promoting the enhancement of outdoor recreation opportunities within the Nickajack Recreational Corridor.

Recommended Books

  • Mary Patten Priestley: Fiery Gizzard: Voices From the Wilderness

    Mary Patten Priestley: Fiery Gizzard: Voices From the Wilderness

  • Mark R. Tercek: Nature's Fortune: How Business and Society Thrive by Investing in Nature

    Mark R. Tercek: Nature's Fortune: How Business and Society Thrive by Investing in Nature

  • David George Haskell: The Forest Unseen: A Year's Watch in Nature

    David George Haskell: The Forest Unseen: A Year's Watch in Nature

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