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TENNESSEE WILDLIFE VIEWING TRAIL » Middle Tennessee

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MTSU WMA

Site Directions: From I-40, exit 148, travel south on Hwy 50 for 10.5 miles and make a left on S. Smithfield Rd. After turning onto S. Smithfield Rd, MTSU WMA begins after approximately 0.5 miles on the right side of the road. As you travel down the road, stay right when the road splits and at 2.3 miles there is an old logging road with small pull off as the road bends to the left. At 3.5 miles from Hwy 50, you find a large metal pavilion on the right with stream access.
Lat-Long: 35.80607, -87.57236. Logging road trail
Lat-Long: 35.80127, -87.55837, pavilion
Hours: day light hours
Seasonality: year round
Fees: none


Falls near the pavilion.

Site Description: Primarily second growth oak-hickory hardwood forests cover the 995 acres of MTSU WMA. Valleys have running water in wet times. The pavilion parking area is small, but provides access to a small stream that when flowing is quite lovely. When water levels are moderate, it is a quite a nice waterfall. The logging road trail travels downhill for several hundred meters into the valley. The hike is moderate on the way back uphill, but quite pleasant on cool days. Spring migration is a nice time to view migrant birds and some quiet woods. Quite a pleasant hike in April when wildflowers are blooming and the white dogwood is in flower.



Wildlife to Watch:
Woodland birding is generally good across the WMA. Moderate amounts of midstory and understory vegetation provide habitat for ground and shrub nesting birds such as Ovenbird, Worm-eating Warbler and Kentucky Warbler. Other woodland birds that can be in season include Wood Thrush, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Summer Tanager. Cerulean Warbler maybe found as a migrant is mid- to late April. Field Sparrows are in the scrub under the powerline on the way to the WMA. Wildflowers abound in season in spring and can be seen from the logging road hiking trail.


Hiking trail, which is an old logging road.

NOTE: Please refer to TWRA Hunting Guide about hunting seasons and public access dates. Access dates vary by site.


For more information:

MTSU WMA


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Be sure to check out our Safety Tips page for important information regarding viewing wildlife in these areas.




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