Reelfoot Lake State Park

By America's State Parks Editorial TeamFebruary 5, 2026 · Updated May 13, 2026

Reelfoot Lake State Park is a public state park in Tennessee near Tiptonville in Lake, Obion County. Spanning 280 acres and established in 1925, this park offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.

Quick Facts

Location & Getting There

Reelfoot Lake State Park is located near Tiptonville, Tennessee. The park’s coordinates are 36.3383, -89.3633.

Things to Do

Tennessee state parks stretch across three distinct regions — the Great Smoky Mountains in the east, the Cumberland Plateau’s gorges and waterfalls in the middle, and the Mississippi River bluffs in the west. Activities include hiking past some of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, swimming in lakes and park pools, fishing in world-class smallmouth bass streams, camping in forested mountain settings, kayaking scenic rivers, mountain biking at premier trail systems, golfing at park courses, horseback riding through valleys, and exploring Civil War battlefields and Native American mound sites. Fall Creek Falls (256 feet) is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the eastern United States.

Best Time to Visit

Tennessee parks offer true four-season appeal. Spring (April–May) brings wildflowers, peak waterfall flow, and comfortable temperatures. Summer (June–August) is warm and humid — lake swimming, park pools, and mountain elevation provide relief. Fall (October–November) is the crown jewel — Tennessee’s fall color rivals New England at a fraction of the crowds, peaking mid-to-late October across the state. Winter (December–February) is mild in West Tennessee and cold in the mountains, offering quiet trails and solitude. The Great Smoky Mountains region experiences peak visitation in summer and October — plan accordingly.

Visitor Tips

Tennessee state parks are free to enter — no admission fees or vehicle passes. Camping, cabins, and lodge rooms are available at many parks through tnstateparks.com. Tennessee’s park system is notable for its full-service lodges and restaurants inside parks — including Fall Creek Falls, Pickwick Landing, and Paris Landing. The state’s Unique Stays program offers treehouse rentals, yurts, and tiny homes at select parks. Firewood policy: only certified heat-treated wood or downed wood from within the park is allowed for campfires.

Explore More Tennessee State Parks

Reelfoot Lake State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Tennessee. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Tennessee guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.

Wildlife & Nature

Reelfoot Lake SP — on a 15,000-acre shallow lake created by the 1811-12 New Madrid earthquakes (the most powerful in North American history, estimated 7.5-8.0 magnitude). The lake’s bald cypress trees rising from the water create an eerie, primeval landscape. Bald eagles concentrate in winter — one of the best eagle-watching sites in the US.

Nearby Attractions

Tiptonville — adjacent. Union City — 20 miles east. New Madrid, MO — 25 miles north — epicenter of the earthquakes. Memphis — 90 miles south.

Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Big Cypress Tree State Park is within about an hour’s drive, and Middle Fork Bottoms State Park is elsewhere in the state.

About the Author

America's State Parks Editorial Team

America's State Parks is an independent online guide to the state parks of the United States. Our editorial team compiles and reviews each park profile from official state park agency sources and other primary references, and follows a published editorial and review methodology (see /editorial-review-methodology/). We update profiles and correct errors on an ongoing basis.

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