🏆🏆🏆 Memphis Old-Growth Forest — 130+ acres of ancient hardwood forest inside Memphis city limits
Lucius Burch Jr. Forest State Natural Area protects over 130 acres of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest within the city limits of Memphis — one of the largest urban old-growth forests in the southeastern United States. Named for Lucius Burch Jr. (1912–1996), a Memphis attorney and conservationist who championed civil rights and environmental causes, the forest contains towering oaks, hickories, and beeches that predate the founding of Memphis.
The forest is part of the Wolf River corridor and represents the kind of bottomland hardwood forest that once covered vast stretches of the Mississippi River floodplain. Its survival within one of America’s largest cities makes it an irreplaceable urban wilderness.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Memphis, TN (Wolf River corridor) |
| Size | 130+ acres |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Forest | Old-growth bottomland hardwood (pre-Memphis) |
| Namesake | Lucius Burch Jr. — civil rights & environmental advocate |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hike in the forest?
Yes. The forest has walking trails through the old-growth canopy. The flat terrain makes it accessible to most fitness levels. Spring wildflower displays are excellent in April.
Why is Memphis important for bird migration?
Memphis sits at the intersection of the Mississippi Flyway and the Gulf Coast — billions of migratory birds funnel through this corridor. The Mississippi River bottomland forests provide critical stopover habitat for exhausted migrants crossing the Gulf of Mexico. Spring warbler migration (April-May) is spectacular along the Memphis bluffs.
More parks nearby: Old Forest State Natural Area is a short drive away, while Riverwoods State Natural Area lies a short drive away.
🌳 Visit Lucius Burch Jr. Forest SNA
130+ acres of ancient forest inside Memphis — urban old-growth on the Wolf River.
Insider Tips
Memphis greenspace: Lucius Burch Forest protects a rare tract of mature forest in Shelby County — an urban natural area near Memphis. Pro tip: The forest supports diverse bird life — Shelby County’s position on the Mississippi Flyway makes it one of Tennessee’s best birding regions. Memphis connection: Named for conservationist Lucius Burch Jr., a Memphis lawyer who helped preserve Wolf River bottomlands.
Best Time to Visit
Spring: Warbler migration along the Mississippi Flyway. Fall: Fall migration and foliage. Summer: Breeding birds. Winter: Waterfowl on nearby Wolf River.
Wildlife & Nature
Lucius Burch Jr. Forest SNA — preserves bottomland hardwood forest along the Wolf River near Memphis. The park’s ancient oaks, river, and wetlands support barred owls, pileated woodpeckers, and river otters. Great blue herons nest in rookeries. Prothonotary warblers sing from the swamp.
Nearby Attractions
Memphis — adjacent — has Beale Street, Graceland, and the National Civil Rights Museum. Shelby Farms Park — nearby. T.O. Fuller SP — 15 miles south.
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