Reelfoot Lake State Park

«It goes past the powers of my pen to try to describe Reelfoot Lake for you so that you, reading this, will get the picture of it in your mind as I have it in mine. For Reelfoot Lake is like no other lake that I know anything about. It is an after-​thought of Creation. The rest of this continent was made and had dried in the sun for thousands of years-​millions of years, for all I know-​before Reelfoot came to be. It’s the newest big thing in nature on this hemisphere, probably, for it was formed by the great earthquake of 1811.
«That earthquake of 1811 surely altered the face of the earth on the then far frontier of this country. It changed the course of rivers, it converted hills into what are now the sunk lands of three states, and it turned the solid ground to jelly and made it roll in waves like the sea. And in the midst of the retching of the land and the vomiting of the waters it depressed to varying depths a section of the earth crust sixty miles long, taking it down — trees, hills, hollows, and all, and a crack broke through to the Mississippi River so that for three days the river ran up stream, filling the hole.»
–Irvis S. Cobb «Fish Head»

This lake holds some of my cherished memories of the time I spent in Tiptonville. I remember having b-​b-​que with friends here at the lake during summer or just simply coming here to relax, reflect, or unwind when I was feeling homesick or lonely. Ahhh… memories from my not-​so-​distant past came flooding when I came here again after so many years. I cannot believe it has been more than 10 years since the last time I set foot in this lake.
The lake offers a hauntingly beautiful and serene view that is unlike anything I have seen before. The bald cypress trees that grows on the water lends a surreal and magical feel to the lake. Reelfoot lake is a natural lake that came into being as a result of a series of earthquake a little over 100 years ago.
The park is popular for fishing and boating as well as duck hunting. The park also offers easy to moderate hiking trails to the wetlands. The park has a small playground for children as well as picnic areas and is a popular spot for the summer. In addition, there is a bald eagle habitat located close to the lake.
There are few restaurants and accommodations along the highway where the state park is located, such as Boyette’s and Blue Bank. Some of these places offers packages for whatever is in season, such as duck hunting, fishing, etc. There is a museum located in the area that tells the story about the lake, its history, and the people of the area.

Would you get up at 6AM on a chilly Saturday and drive 100+ miles to see some freaking birds on a lake?
I say yes if the lake was created by the most powerful earthquakes to hit eastern US in recorded history and the birds are white pelicans (Finding Nemo anyone?) on their annual migration.
The 1811 – 1812 New Madrid earthquakes were so powerful that the mighty Mississippi flowed backward for 10 – 24 hours to fill up the area of 20 square miles what is Reelfoot Lake today. I was fascinated by the history, which is why we drove 100 miles north to check out the lake not long after moving to Memphis.
Months later, we visited the lake again to partake in a white pelican canoe float, guided by the knowledgeable and hospitable state park naturalists David and Robin. It was a windy day, the water was choppy, and the numerous cypress stumps in the lake added to the challenge, but we were rewarded by the sight of white pelicans, with one of which we literally brushed shoulders. These guys only started to make this lake a stop on their migrating trips in recent years. I wonder why it took them so long. Hello? The lake was formed two hundred years ago!
After making it to shore safely, we went for lunch at Boyette’s, the oldest restaurant in town. I had never dined in a place that has been in business for 91 years and boy do they know how to fry catfish.
Later we took a hike around the lake. The short trail recommended by David has several well-​maintained boardwalks, on which I could walk forever. The air was crisp, sky blue, leaves golden, and how I wish the trail would never end. (link to some photos:
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We will be back in late January or February for the Bald Eagle and Waterfowl Tours, and I can’t wait to try some crappie.

My daughter and I camped here in mid-​August 2009. Not the brightest thing for us to do, and we now know why people don’t camp in the south during the summer. I have never in my life seen so many mosquitoes in so little space.
On the plus side, the campground was easy to reach, the staff was friendly, and we enjoyed our short stay. We were serenaded by coyotes at night, and once in our tents we enjoyed a quiet night. I’d like to come back to see this place again, when the bugs are all dead.