NEW - Campsite Reservation System
Online reservations for campsites are now available. This service will offer visitors more ease and convenience when it comes to their park stay.
»
Meeman-Shelby Forest Campground Reservations
Bordering on the mighty Mississippi River, 13 miles north of Memphis, two-thirds of this 13,467-acre park are bottomland hardwood forests of large oak, cypress and tupelo. The park contains two lakes and many miles of hiking trails as well as one of the largest disc-golf courses in the Southeast. The park maintains a boat ramp on the Mississippi River. Deer, turkey, beaver, fox, otter and bobcat are plentiful. Over 200 species of songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and birds of prey, including the American Bald Eagle can be seen; the area is a favorite for bird watchers.
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.
Biking
There is a scenic 5-mile paved bicycle trail that meanders through heavy forest, and can accommodate strollers and wheelchairs. Many cyclists use the park roads for extended riding.
Boating
There are two fishing lakes on the park, Poplar Tree Lake and Piersol Lake. Year-round fishing is available on 125-acre Poplar Tree Lake. Some outstanding largemouth bass have been taken from this picturesque lake. Other species include bream and catfish. Rental Jon boats are available at the park boat dock during the summer months. Rates are $5.00 per hour, $10.00 for half a day and $20.00 for all day. Many enjoy fishing from the pier or bank. Personally owned boats with electric motors are allowed on the lake for a small launch fee, but no gasoline motors are allowed.
Special fishing permits are required and can be obtained from park office.
Free launch ramp available on the Mississippi River.
A park fishing permit is required for anglers between the ages of 16 and 62.
Tennessee Boating Regulations (exit TDEC)
Cabins
Meeman Shelby has six two-bedroom vacation cabins situated along the shore of Poplar Tree Lake in a heavily wooded section of the park. These cabins are completely equipped for housekeeping and food preparation. Linens are provided. They are ideal for family vacations or fishing parties and sleep up to six people in each. Reservations should be made in advance through the visitor center.
Cabins are set up to sleep 6 with linens, a fully equipped kitchen and firewood supplied during the winter months. There is a double bed and two twin beds in each cabin along with two full size couches.
Cabins can be reserved up to one year in advance and are usually booked up to three weeks in advance. Cabin is available to accommodate pets for an additional charge. Contact the park for details. To make reservations: 800-471-5293
Cabins available that are accessible to persons with a disability
Camping
NEW – Meeman-Shelby Forest Campground Reservations are now available online.
The park campground provides 49 campsites equipped with table, grill, electrical and water hookups. A modern bathhouse provides hot showers. There is a dump station for self-contained trailer rigs. Reservations may be made well in advance through the visitor center or online. Maximum stay limit is two weeks.
Reservations are recommended during major holidays. Call to reserve at 1-901-876-5215 or go online.
Events
2013 Events
Guided Hikes - May 26 through Sept. 3
Saturdays: 10 a.m.
A moderate 1.5 mile hike on the Woodland Trail, a scenic stroll past creeks and springs along the bluffs, guided by a Naturalist who gives information on native flora and fauna, natural history, conservation, and more. Meet at the Visitor Center to walk to the trail head.
Deep Swamp Canoe Floats - May 26 through Sept. 3
Saturdays: 8 a.m.
Sundays: 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. CT
Discover remote and seldom seen areas of Eagle Lake. Learn about the history of the area and the native flora and fauna as you are guided through the towering trees of the Bald Cypress swamp. Get an excellent view of a large heron and egret rookery, see primitive fish splash by your canoe, and possibly glimpse a Bald Eagle. Reservations are required as there is limited seating. Privately owned canoes and kayaks are welcome, but also must make reservations. Meet at the Visitor Center 15 minutes in advance; prepare to caravan to the launch site. Bring water, snacks, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, and clothes and shoes that can get wet and muddy. Trips man be cancelled due to water level or weather. Cost is $5 a seat or $10 per canoe. No fee. These trips can be scheduled for groups at other times year round depending on availability. Reservations and information: 901-876-5215
Pontoon Boat Trips - May 26 through Sept. 3
Fridays: 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. CT
Saturdays: 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. CT
Sundays: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT
Join us for guided boats trips on 153-acre Poplar Tree Lake. View herons, egrets, turtles, beaver lodges as our experienced Naturalist interprets lake history and native fauna and flora. Meet at the Nature Center 15 minutes in advance. Trips last 45 minutes. $1 per person. These trips can be scheduled for groups, depending on availability, at $20 per trip. For reservations and information call 901-876-5215.
Live Raptor Programs - May 26 through Sept. 3
Fridays: 3 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: 11 a.m.
Birds of Prey are incredible creatures. This is a wonderful opportunity to view them up close and to learn how they live and hunt. These programs take place at the Nature Center and are presented by a knowledgeable Naturalist.
Live Reptile Programs - May 26 through Sept. 3
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays: 4 p.m.
Join a Naturalist at the Nature Center to experience an assortment of reptiles, such as turtles and snakes, up close. It is an informative program geared to alleviate fears and learn of the fascinating biology of these cold-blooded creatures.
Annual Kids' Fishing Rodeo - June 8th from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
On TWRA’s Free Fishing day there is no need for a license! So come to the Nature
Center on 135-acre Poplar Tree Lake and register for the fishing rodeo. For ages up to 16
with limited help from adults. May use artificial and live bait. Bank fishing only.
Registration starts at 7am. Weigh in at any time, final check-in and awards ceremony at
11am. Door prizes to all registered, trophies and medals for largest, smallest, and most fish in three age categories: 0-7, 8-12, 13-16. For information call 901-876-5215.
2nd Annual Heritage Festival - October 26 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The park will host the 2nd Annual Heritage Festival on Saturday, October 26th, 2013 at Shelter #3. This free to the public event begin at 10 a.m. CT and will conclude at 5 p.m. CT. Participants will enjoy Living History demonstrations, bluegrass, folk, and country music, old timey foods, games, crafts, tomahawk throwing and black powder demonstrations, wildlife programs and many other attractions.
23rd Annual James Logan Colbert Rendezvous - November 1-3 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
The 23rd Annual James Logan Colbert Rendezvous will begin on Friday, November 1 and end on Sunday, November 3. This living history event showcases colonial and pioneer life from 1760-1840. The public is invited to come out to the Rendezvous, take a walk around camp and see what the world would have been like over 200 years ago.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS include:
Trail-less Swamp Tromps
Longhunter living history demonstrations
Bird, insect, tree, plant and flower identification
Fire building
Ten essentials to survival
Candle making
Soap making
Astronomy
Orienteering
Arts and crafts
Nature, pioneer, and old fashion games
Fishing
There are two fishing lakes on the park, Poplar Tree Lake and Piersol Lake. Year-round fishing is available on 125-acre Poplar Tree Lake. Some outstanding largemouth bass have been taken from this picturesque lake. Other species include bream and catfish. Rental Jon boats are available at the park boat dock during the summer months. Rates are $5.00 per hour, $10.00 for half a day and $20.00 for all day. Many enjoy fishing from the pier or bank. Personally owned boats with electric motors are allowed on the lake for a small launch fee, but no gasoline motors are allowed.
Special fishing permits are required and can be obtained from park office.
Free launch ramp available on Mississippi River.
A park fishing permit is required for anglers between the ages of 16 and 62.
Tennessee Fishing Regulations (exit TDEC)
Tennessee State Parks fishing policies
Group Camping
There is one group camp at Meeman Shelby. Piersol group camp is available to youth groups and can accommodate up to 140 persons. It consists of a large dining hall fully equipped for food preparation and serving, four multi room bunk houses, each with a small meeting room and bath house. Campers need only provide linens, food, medical and sanitary supplies and staff.
At Piersol Group Camp, bathroom facilities are attached to the bunkhouse and there are 4 showers.
Group camps are available from April through October, the camps are rented by the week only during the summer months, and on week-ends at other times. Reservations should be made well in advance through the visitor center.
Reservations may be made for campsites and are recommended during major holidays Call to reserve: 1-901-876-5215
Hiking
Meeman-Shelby Forest offers more than 20 miles of hiking trails that
meander throughout the park. The 5-mile paved Bicycle Trail is also accessible
to persons with a disability and strollers. Hikers will enjoy the approximately
8-mile, wooded Chickasaw Bluff Trail while easy, shorter jaunts can be enjoyed on
the Pioneer Springs Trail and Woodland Trail. The 8-mile Horse Trail is open for
horses and hikers. The trail meanders along a bluff with the largest loop
overlooking Poplar Tree Lake. Trail maps are available at the visitors center. Please abide by the rules
and regulations particular to the trails. Trails are open year round, although
some trails located in the Mississippi River bottoms are off limits during
managed hunts.
Horseback Riding
The 8-mile Horse Trail is open for horses and hikers. The trail meanders along a bluff with the largest loop overlooking Poplar Tree Lake. Rental horses are not available. Visitors must bring their own horse.
The horse trail closes for inclimate weather and wet conditions, call 901-876-5215 to see if the trail is open.
Picnic Facilities
There are 300 picnic tables and grills scattered throughout the park. Each is conveniently located near restrooms, water fountains and playgrounds. Several picnic shelters are available for rent for large family and other group gatherings. 7 picnic pavilions available
The recreation lodge facility is an air conditioned building with chairs and tables that can accommodate up to 100 people.
For reservation information call: 901-876-5215
Swimming
The pool opens on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and closes the first Sunday in August. It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT, Wednesday through Sunday. The cost is $5 per person for 3 years and older. Cabin and camping guests pay half price for admission to the pool. Swim passes are available. All park public pools will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, except holidays. For more information call 901-876-5215.
Nature Center
Nature Center Hours:
The park Nature Center is open Friday-Sunday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and is closed for an hour at lunch. It may be closed temporarily to accommodate programs elsewhere on the park.
Exhibits include live snakes, turtles, salamanders, fish aquariums, stuffed animal exhibit, indoor live butterfly garden (open seasonally), bone table, insect table, and a Native American exhibit. Hawk and owl flight cages located outside.
Special programs at the center include live birds of prey and reptile programs, living history demonstrations, candle making, soap making, spinning wool, making bird feeders, homemade ice cream, nature videos, canoe trips and pontoon boat rides.
Dragonfly and Damselfly Checklist
Disc Golf Course
The park has one of the largest and most beautiful disc-golf courses in the Southeast. The 36-hole, wooded course is divided into two 18-hole courses that offer beginners and advanced players a challenging game. Disc golf accessories are available at stores near the park.
Tour Buses
Tour buses are welcome.
Accessibility
The swimming pool, at least one cabin and the group camp are accessible to persons with a disability.
