Island 13
Due west of Wynnburg, TN at end of Sheep Ridge Road, Lake County, TN
Site Directions: ISLAND 13 IS INACCESSIBLE AFTER THE SPRING 2011 FLOOD. THE ACCESS ROADS AND LEVEES WERE WASHED OUT.
From Tiptonville, TN, take TN highway 78 south to Wynnburg (about 3.5 miles). At Wynnburg, take Main Street west to Lower Wynnburg Road. Follow Lower Wynnburg Road west to Sheep Ridge Road (possibly no sign). Follow Sheep Ridge Road (which is gravel) to the west 3.3 miles to a sandy road on the right by a gate that is open (as of Sept 2009). The sandy road is very bumpy and unlevel, but visitors may drive to the forest edge where one should park the vehicle off the roadway. At the end of the side road, walk due west approximately 100m to access the river and large sand and gravel bars. If the road is wet and muddy, use caution in driving the road. One may park at the gate and walk in as a precaution.
Access road to Island 13 on Sheep Ridge Road- Lat: 36.329233°N Long: -89.590073°W
Hours: daylight hours
Seasonality: year round
Fees: none
Site Description: Island 13 is a large sandbar, occasionally an island when the Mississippi River is at a certain level. The Sheep Ridge Road area contains a mix of farmland, riverfront, borrow pit, and Mississippi River sandbar and dike field habitats. On the river it is possible to walk the sand and gravel bars and good views of the bars, dike fields, and main stem river may be had. Major gravel deposits exist in the bar habitat area.
Island 13 is a favorite location for ATV riding, so you may see many people riding ATV's in the area.
Wildlife to Watch: The Island 13 area is known by local birders to be a very good birding area. The lower end of the Island 13 sand and gravel bar complex is one of the best places to see shorebirds during migration (provided river stages are not too high). In late August through mid-September, which is peak shorebird migration, a large variety of rare visitors to Tennessee may be found in addition to more common passage migrants. Common species include Least, Semipalmated, and Western Sandpipers, Least Tern, Black Tern, and thousands of swallows. Less common birds that may be found include Baird's Sandpiper, Piping Plover (rare), Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Sanderling, and Black-bellied Plover.
For more information:
Birds of Island 13 from eBird submissions
Submit your data to eBird and help us add to the list of birds seen at this site
Be sure to check out our Safety Tips page for important information regarding viewing wildlife in these areas.
