If visiting all of Tennessee’s state parks is on your bucket list, then you’ve got a new destination to explore in West Tennessee.
On Monday, state officials and local conservationists celebrated the opening of Middle Fork Bottoms State Park — the 58th park in the Tennessee State Parks system.
Located about 20 minutes from Jackson, Middle Fork Bottoms is described as a West Tennessee oasis featuring sparkling lakes, a serene river, unique wetlands and sun-soaked grasslands teeming with wildlife. Once used as farmland, the area was revitalized as a floodplain restoration project under the West Tennessee River Basin Authority.
Park visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy paddling, biking, hiking, fishing and more. Among its offerings are paved trails for hiking and biking, opportunities for kayaking and canoeing, fishing in the multiple lakes and along the river, and a place to train retrievers for wetland hunting.
Middle Fork Lake, conveniently located near the main entrance, is a paddler’s paradise. Available for those bringing their own paddle craft, the lake provides ample opportunities to view the wildlife native to the park and enjoy the outdoors. Motorized watercrafts are not permitted.
The park features one four-mile interconnected paved trail. All four miles are currently bicycle- and wheelchair-accessible. The trail offers ample opportunity to view wildlife such as Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Eastern Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird, and many others.
The trail also offers views of Papershell Lake, Bulrush Lake, Retriever Lake, Cypress Lake, and Middle Fork Lake, and it crosses over the Middle Fork Forked Deer River. Fishing (by rod and reel only) is permitted at four of the five lakes and in the river. The only exception is Retriever Lake, which is designated for dog training purposes. As with all public waterways, anyone ages 13 and older must have a valid Tennessee fishing license.
Anglers can find bream on Middle Fork Lake, Papershell Lake, Bulrush Lake, Cypress Lake and Middle Fork Forked Deer River. Catfish and bass can also be found on Middle Fork Lake, while Papershell Lake boasts other native species that flow in from the Middle Fork Forked Deer River.
About the park
Middle Fork Bottoms State Park offers a unique blend of rich history and natural beauty. Spanning approximately 860 acres, the park transformed from a floodplain restoration project in 2018 into a thriving habitat. Originally managed by the West Tennessee River Basin Authority, the park boasts 250,000 newly planted hardwood trees, over 200 acres of restored wetlands, and two miles of revitalized streams.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the park’s diverse landscapes, which include fishing areas, paddle craft access on Middle Fork Lake, and four miles of scenic walking trails.
The park features multiple wetland areas, five lakes (four of which are fishable), and native grassland habitat. Visitors will also find a newly planted bald cypress grove covering five acres, various waterfowl habitats, and vast areas of sycamore and cottonwood trees.
The area that now flourishes with wildlife and greenery was once used for row crop agriculture and sod farming. In the early 1900s, the natural watercourses were heavily altered for drainage, and a train depot, known as Young’s Crossing, served as a hub for loading agricultural goods. A hog farm also once occupied the eastern side of the property.
The park is a hotspot for wildlife, including waterfowl during winter months, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, small mammals, and predators like coyotes and bobcats.
Birdwatchers can spot shorebirds like killdeer and wading birds such as Great Egret and Great Blue Heron. Reptiles, amphibians and six species of naturally occurring mussels help improve water quality and add to the park’s ecological diversity.
Community involvement has played a pivotal role in the park’s development, with contributions from organizations like the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, West Tennessee River Basin Authority, Madison County, City of Jackson, and the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce. Civic groups, local businesses and environmental organizations have also lent support, from tree and bench donations to the construction of an overlook and the installation of beekeeping hives.
The park is located in Madison County at 111 Sanders Bluff Road in Three Way. Learn more at tnstateparks.info/MiddleForkBottoms.
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