Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park borders the Mississippi River and spans 12,539 acres of hardwood bottomland connecting to the Chickasaw Bluffs. The park's activities include paddling, disc golf, bird watching, boating, hiking, biking, fishing, and horseback riding. Attractions close to the state park include Graceland, the National Civil Rights Museum, and Sun Studio. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park hosts annual events, including the Cold Water Canoe Float, Fall Birding Walk, and the First Day Hike. The early spring and fall offer mild temperatures, while summers are hot and winters are frigid with heavy rainfall.
Spring 45-62 F
Summer 74-90 F
Fall 56-74 F
Winter 39-53 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park Campground has 55 camping spots with electricity, sewer, and water hookups. There are showers, restrooms, picnic tables, and potable water, but the camping spots are not wheelchair accessible. Pets are allowed on a leash at the campground and throughout the park. Otherwise, the pets must remain in a crate. The state park doesn't have any Wi-Fi connections.
What to Do at
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
The state park offers many activities for anyone who loves the outdoors, including paddling, disc golf, bird watching, boating, hiking, biking, fishing, and horseback riding. From all three hiking trails, you'll see beautiful views of the abundant wildlife living in the park and wildlife management area. Visitors can rent paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes during peak seasons for better access to breathtaking scenery on the river.
Fishing
You can purchase a daily fishing permit for $3 or an annual fishing permit for $29. You must pay $4 daily to use your motorized Jon boat at the park or $47 for a yearly license. You can also fish from the banks of Popular Tree Lake or Piersol Lake, and you'll catch black bass, bluegill, catfish, largemouth bass, and redear sunfish.
Geocaching
The geocaching adventure starts in the park's wooded areas and spans four miles throughout the hiking trail. You can find the cache two miles from the parking lot. You should bring a backpack with water and supplies if you are geocaching during summer. Stop at the Visitor Center to get updated information about the current adventure.
Nature Watching
You'll find many opportunities to bird watch at the park, and you'll see Swainson's warblers, hooded warblers, yellow-crowned night herons, great egrets, anhingas, and Mississippi kites. Ducks, gulls, and geese populate Poplar Tree Lake, and on the hiking trails, you'll see wild turkeys, owls, and woodpeckers.
Stargazing
Guests can stargaze along the banks of the Mississippi River at the state park. You can see the stars, constellations, and planets with binoculars or a telescope.
Flora and Fauna
Among the flowers and plants you'll see are sweet gum, hickory, and American beech trees, and you'll find wild blue phlox, spring beauty, and prairie trillium. The wildlife at the park includes foxes, bobcats, deer, turkey, beaver, otters, and bald eagles.
Hiking
You'll find three hiking trails at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, including Woodland Trail, which is 3.5 miles. Chickasaw Bluff Trail is a moderate hiking trail spanning 8 miles, and the Pioneer Springs Trail is 4 miles. You can also walk on the horse trail, which is 8.5 miles and easy. However, the horse trail is closed during dangerous weather conditions.
Boating
You can rent row boats at the park hourly, daily, or weekly for rates ranging from $5 per hour up to $85 for the week. Motorized boats are allowed for a small fee; you'll pay $4 per day or get an annual permit for $47. You must rent a life jacket for all boat occupants for $5.
Swimming
A public swimming pool at the state park opens on Memorial Day and closes before Labor Day. Pay attention to posted signs about swimming in the river. There's a lifeguard on duty at the swimming pool, but you swim at your own risk during the non-peak season.
Biking
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park offers a 5-mile bike trail with paved surfaces. It is a moderate trail that runs through the forest and gives you terrific views of nature and wildlife. You must wear a helmet while riding on the bike trail.
How to Get to
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
From Memphis, head east on Poplar Avenue toward North B. B. King Blvd. Turn left onto North B. B. King Blvd. Continue onto North 3rd Street. Turn right onto Chelsea Avenue. Turn left onto US-51 North/Thomas Street. Turn left onto TN-388 North/North Watkins Streets. Turn left onto Locke Cuba Road. Turn right onto Bluff Road to the park entrance.
Entering Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
You'll find parking lots throughout the park with handicapped accessible parking spots. Operating hours for the park are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the maximum RV length is 40 feet. The park has 49 camping spots, six rented cabins, and modern bathhouses. Park visitors cannot consume alcohol in any park area within the general public.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park Entry Fee : $0.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
The best time to visit Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is late spring and early fall. The summers are hot and often crowded, and the winters are cold with heavy snowfall.
The wildlife at the park includes foxes, bobcats, deer, turkey, beaver, otters, and bald eagles. Among the birds you'll find are Swainson's warblers, hooded warblers, yellow-crowned night herons, great egrets, anhingas, wild turkeys, woodpeckers, and Mississippi kites. Ducks, gulls, and geese are found on the lake, and black bass, bluegill, catfish, largemouth bass, and redear sunfish beneath the surface.
There aren't designated RV camping spots; you can camp in an RV or tent. The campground is first come, first served, but you can reserve a spot.
You aren't required to reserve a camping spot, but it is recommended since the campground can reach maximum capacity fast. The camping fee is $27 per night, and there is a $5 non-refundable reservation fee.
Yes, Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is pet-friendly, but you must use a leash no longer than 6 feet. All pets that aren't on a leash must be inside a crate or kennel.