Reelfoot NWR Site Directions: Refuge Headquarters are located approximately 15 miles southwest of Union City Tennessee. From Union City take highway 22 north approximately 15 miles, turn right on highway 157, refuge headquarters is located exactly 1 mile on left. The main part of the refuge can be accessed by taking a side road to the left that intersects Highway 157 about a mile past the refuge headquarters buildings.
To Long Point Unit: From Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, take TN Highway 157 north to the Kentucky line (road changes to KY Highway 311 at this point). Turn left about 3 miles past the state line onto KY Highway 1282 and go about 3 miles to access Long Point Road located on the south side of Highway 1282. Follow this road into the refuge.
Lat-Long: 36.452106, -89.30019, Headquarters
Lat-Long: 36.466835,-89.318603, Walnut Log Rd access
Hours: daylight hours
Seasonality: year round
Fees: none
Site Description: The area contains a mix of bottomland hardwood, cypress swamp, marsh, cropland and open water habitats. A wildlife drive, hiking trails, and an observation platform (on Long Point Rd) provide easy access to sites where a wide variety of birds may be observed. The area contains a mix of farmland, bottomland hardwood forest, cypress swamp, and marshland habitats. Walnut Log Road, accessed past the headquarters, provides a 2+mile long road through bottomland forests and ends at an observation platform over the lake. There is also a 0.5 mile long boardwalk that loops through the forest, but comes out further down the paved road, so you can walk the road back to your vehicle. Mosquitoes can be terrible!
Wildlife to Watch: The Grassy Island Unit is noted as one of the best areas around Reelfoot Lake for viewing warblers in the spring and fall. Also, owls may frequently be seen and heard. Long Point Unit provides better access for viewing the abundance of waterfowl in winter. Several pairs of Bald Eagles nest around Reelfoot Lake and can be seen year round, which greater numbers in winter.
Walnut Log Road is well known for migrant warblers, vireos, and flycatchers. Least and yellow-bellied flycatchers are possible in May. Look for Mississippi Kites, Yellow-crowned Night-Herons (in the woods), a possible Anhinga, among other waterbirds. Cerulean and Swainson's Warblers nest along this road. This location is just passed the homes on Walnut Log Rd. Lat-Long: 36.466835,-89.318603. There are a couple parking areas along the way to the boardwalk/overlook.
NOTE: Please refer to TWRA Hunting Guide about hunting seasons and public access dates. Access dates vary by site.
For more information:
Birds of Reelfoot NWR- Walnut Log Rd from eBird submissions
Birds of Reelfoot NWR from eBird submissions
US Fish and Wildlife Service web page
Reelfoot NWR map
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.
