The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is committed to principles of equal opportunity, equal access and affirmative action. Contact the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation EEO/AA coordinator at 888-867-2757or the ADACoordinator at 615-532-0059 for further information.Hearing impaired callers may use the Tennessee Relay Service at800-848-0298.

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation authorization no. 327152, 20,000copies. This public document was promulgated at a cost of $.064 per copy, June 2014.

Hours of Operation7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT

Meeman-Shelby ForestState Park 910 Riddick Road

Millington, TN 38053901-876-5215 / 800-471-5293

Tennessee State ParksWilliam R. Snodgrass TN Tower

312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd FloorNashville, TN 37243888-867-2757

www.tnstateparks.com

DirectionsFrom Interstate 40: take exit 2-A, turn right, go sixstoplights to Watkins road (this is Highway 388),turn left and go until the road dead-ends. Turn left,go one mile to a four-way stop, Shelby ForestGeneral Store and turn right, go one mile, turn leftinto the park.

We’re Mobile!The Tennessee State Parks Pocket Ranger app provides users access to allTennessee State Parks, historic sites and campgrounds with detailed information, amenities, facility maps and directions.Visitors can plan a trip by searching for a park byGPS location or activity including hiking, camping,boating, birding and more. Once in the park, GPSand GIS mapping technology will allow you to trackand record trails, mark waypoints, locate yourfriends within the parks and enjoy GeoChallenge activities and games. The app is available at theApple app store and Google play.

Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteers and Friends assist in protecting, preserving and promoting the cultural and natural resources of their favorite state park, giving of their time and talents to ensure their park’s integrity for futuregenerations to enjoy. It’s easy to show your support – join a Friends group or participate inone of the many volunteer opportunities weoffer individuals, families and groups.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities inyour area visit www.tnstateparks.com.

Horseback RidingThe eight mile horse trail, open to horses andhikers, meanders along a bluff with the largestloop overlooking Poplar Tree Lake. Visitors mustbring their own horse. The horse trail closes forinclement weather and wet conditions. Pleasecall 901-876-5215 to see if the trail is open. Trailand topography maps are available at the visitors center.

Disc Golf CourseThe park is home to one of the largest and mostbeautiful disc-golf courses in the Southeast. The36-hole, wooded course is divided into two 18-hole courses that offer beginners andadvanced players a challenging game. Visitorscan find disc golf accessories at stores near thepark and at the visitor center.

Meeting RoomsThe park has an 800 sq. ft. meeting room with tables and chairs to seat 50. It is handicap accessible and is available year-round.Reservations need to be made in advance.

Picnic Shelters and PlaygroundsScattered throughout the park are 100 picnic

tables and grills. Each is conveniently located near restrooms, water fountains and playgrounds. Several picnic pavilions and an air-conditioned building that can

accommodate 100 people are available for rent from April to October.

Gift ShopThe park’s gift shop has Tennessee handicrafts,books on area history, wildlife and plant guides,T-shirts and hats.

Planned ProgramsInterpretive programs are offered both in the park and off-site. Topics cover a range of historical, cultural and natural subjects from Long Hunters to the Civil War to live raptor/reptiles programs. Guided hikes, pontoon and canoe floats are offered seasonally.

M E E M A N - S H E L BYFO R E S T

S TA T E PA R KT E N N E S S E E

www.tnstateparks.com

Nearby State ParksT.O. Fuller State Park - 30 miles

Annual Park EventsSummer - Deep Swamp Canoe Trips June - Kid’s Fishing Rodeo October - Heritage FestivalNovember - James Logan Colbert Rendezvous

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Parkis a 12,539-acre hardwood bottomland area bordering the Mississippi River 13 miles north of Memphis featuring mature Bald Cypress andTupelo swamp. Most of the facilities are on topof the majestic Chickasaw Bluffs. There are 10state champion trees and two National champion trees as well as endangered and protected plants. Wildlife is plentiful throughoutthe forest. Over 200 species of birds, includingthe American Bald Eagle, can be seen. The areais a favorite for bird-watchers.

CabinsMeeman Shelby has six two-bedroom cabins

situated along the shoreline of Poplar TreeLake in a heavily wooded section of the park. The cabins are ideal for family vacations or fishing parties and sleep six people. Cabins have a fully equippedkitchen and firewood supplied during

the winter months. Picnic tables and grillsare located nearby for outdoor enjoyment by thelake and one cabin is pet friendly. Cabins can bereserved up to one year in advance and reservations can be made online and by calling the park.

CampingOpen year-round, the campground has 49 woodedsites; each equipped with a picnic table, grill and20/30/50 amp electrical and water hook-ups. Thesites can accommodate up to 40-foot RVs. A primitive campground is available to scout groupsand a discount is available with a service project. Reservations may be made up to a year in advance.

Group CampThe park’s group camp, located on 25-acre Piersol Lake, can accommodate up to 140 people.Available from April through October, the camp isrented by the week only during the summermonths, and on weekends at other times. A deposit is required; reservations should be made well in advance.

FishingYear-round fishing is available on the MississippiRiver and the park’s two lakes, Poplar Tree Lake (125 acre) and Piersol Lake (25 acre). Both lakesoffer catches of bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish and catfish. A special lake permit fee is requiredand a launch fee is charged for personal jon boats,canoes and kayaks. Poplar Tree Lake provides bankand boat fishing while Piersol Lake offers primarilyboat fishing.

Bike TrailsThe bike trail is a well marked, five mile intermediate trail with a little bit of everything: flatareas, smooth pavement, switchbacks and somegreat turns. It has good elevation gain withoutbeing too steep. Most of the trail is along a pavedclosed road, before narrowing to drop off theChickasaw Bluffs. While the trail is rideable with aroad bike, a cross bike or mountain bike would be abetter choice.

HikingMeeman-Shelby Forest offers more than 20 miles oftrails that wind throughout the park. Trails range frommoderate to very rugged and some are multi-use.Trail and topography maps are available at the visitors center.

Nature CenterThe nature center is open Friday-Sunday from10 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT from Memorial Day weekend toLabor Day weekend and by appointment in otherseasons. Exhibits include wildlife, bird, natural history displays.

BoatingThe park has a free launch ramp on theMississippi River, and a year-round boat ramp on 125-acre Poplar Tree Lake, with jon boatsavailable for rent at the park boat dock fromMarch through November. Personally ownedboats with electric motor are allowed on thelakes for a small launch fee, but gasolinemotors are not allowed. Contact the park office for information about guided canoe and pontoon boat programs.