Bordering on the mighty Mississippi River, two-thirds of the 13,467-acre park are bottomland hardwood forests of large oak, cypress and tupelo.  The park also contains two lakes and many miles of hiking trails.  The Meeman Museum and Nature Center is named for Edward J. Meeman, courageous conservation editor of Scripps-Howard newspapers who helped establish this park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The park maintains a boat ramp on the Mississippi River.  Deer, turkey, beaver and some 200 species of birds are abundant.

Nature Center exhibits include live snakes, fish aquarium, stuffed animal exhibit, a touch table and a Native American exhibit.  Special programs at the center include live birds of prey and reptile programs, making bird feeders, homemade ice cream, nature videos, deep swamp canoe trips and pontoon boat rides.

Trails are open year round.  More than 20 miles of hiking trails meander throughout the park.  Some are located in the Mississippi River bottoms and are off limits during managed hunts.  Bicycle trail accessible to persons with a disability.

Directions:  From I-40, take exit 2-A, turn right, go 6 stop lights to Watkins road (this is Hwy 388), turn left and go until the road dead-ends.  Turn left, go one mile to a four-way stop, Shelby Forest General Store and turn right, go one mile, turn left into the park.  For specific directions, see http://www.mapquest.com

Back to Areas with Hiking Trails

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This site was last updated 05/31/06.