Booker T. Washington State Park
Site Directions: From I-75 N, take Highway 153 N. Take Highway 58 (Decatur) exit and turn right; proceed north approximately two miles; turn left at the state park sign and follow signs to park.
Lat: 35.11095°N Long: -85.17494°W
Hours: 7:00 am to dark
Seasonality: year round
Fees: none
Site Description: The park lies on the west bank of the lake, river mile 473.5. This 353-acre park is named in honor of Booker Taliagerro Washington who was born into slavery at Hale's Ford, Virginia, but with great determination secured an education and became president of Tuskegee Institute, a black organization for higher education. The park contains large fragments of hardwood forest, some sizeable Virginia Pine stands, and riparian forest.
Be sure to look for birds from the fishing pier and the boat ramp, which are the best areas for viewing the lake at the park.
Wildlife to Watch: From the boat landing and fishing piers Common Loon, Horned Grebe, and Bald Eagles can be observed between November and March. Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe, and Long-tailed Duck are a few of the rarities found from there in the winter. The brushy lake shore affords fall migrant songbirds and breeding Eastern Kingbird and Orchard Oriole. The Virginia pines hold breeding Brown-headed Nuthatches and Pine Warblers, with Red-breasted Nuthatches, Purple Finches, and Pine Siskins in some winters.
For more information:
Booker T. Washington State Park web page
Chattanooga Chapter of Tennessee Ornithological Society site description
Birds of Booker T.Washington State Park via 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.
