Big Hill Pond State Park is located in the southwestern part of McNairy County and encompasses 4,138 acres of timberland and hard wood bottomland. Cypress Creek and Tuscumbia River border the property. The flood plain, adjacent to the river and creek contains small oxbows and swampy areas which are desirable habitat for waterfowl, wildlife and fish.
Park highlights include the 70 foot observation tower that offers panoramic views of Travis McNatt Lake, and the boardwalk that wends through Dismal Swamp. Guests visiting Big Hill Pond State Park enjoy camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and paddling in the summer. The park is home to thirty miles of overnight and day use trails with four backpack trail shelters.
Visitors with a passion for horses can bring them along for the Big Hill Pond experience. The park has approximately 14 miles of horse trails and is shared with mountain bikers. The horses must stay on the red trail and fire roads and are not allowed on hiking trails or on the back or the front of the Lake Dam.
The park derives its name from the 35-acre Big Hill Pond which was created in 1853 when soil was scooped from a borrow pit to build a levee across the Tuscumbia and Cypress Creek bottoms for the Memphis to Charleston Railroad. Over the years, a great stand of Cypress trees has grown in and around the 35-acre pond. The territory was designated a State Park by the Department of Conservation for reassessing the need for recreational opportunities in 1977.
Activities
BIRDING
The park encompasses 4,138 acres of timberland and hardwood bottomland where a variety of woodland birds can be seen. Cypress Creek and Tuscumbia River border the park and are known to host nesting bald eagles. There is a 70-foot fire tire. The flood plain, adjacent to the river and creek contains small oxbows and swampy areas which are a desirable habitat for waterfowl, wildlife, and fish.
PADDLING
Summer boat rentals: to reserve a canoe or kayak please call the park office at 731-645-7967.
HIKING
Visit any of the seven trails of Big Hill Pond, ranging in difficulty and distance, including Fox Hollow Trail and Rocky Knob Trail.
BIKING
Mountain bikes are allowed on the same trails as horses, but please be considerate of one another when meeting or passing. Trail is blazed Red.
FISHING
Travis McNatt Lake (165 acre) is spring fed year-round and provides good fishing for bass, bream, and catfish.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Big Hill Pond provides 14 miles of equestrian trails primarily on old logging roads and park gravel roads. Horses must stay on red-blazed trail and fire roads. Fire roads are shared with mountain bikers.
Campground
PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND
Big Hill Pond has 28 tent and small RV campsites. Most sites will accommodate a trailer up to 20 feet. Each site has a table and a grill. The campground has a modern bathhouse with hot showers but does not have any hook-ups and there is no dump station. Because the campground is small, there is no generator operation after 10:00 PM. Reservations may be made online. Firewood is sold onsite.
Group Camp One is located behind campsites 18 and 19. These campsites also provide access to the group camp.
PRIMITIVE GROUP CAMPS
Three primitive group camping areas are available. Group Camp One is located in the campground area behind Campsite #18 and Campsite #19. The two other sites are down the gravel road past the park office. Please call the park to book any of the group campsites.
BACKCOUNTRY SHELTERS
No backcountry camping is allowed. However, backpackers may hike-in to four different camp shelters, three of which are very remote. Shelters are on a first come basis. When staying at shelters, if you do not check in with the office or park ranger, please leave a note on your dash as to which shelter you are staying and how long so the ranger will know why your vehicle is parked overnight. No pets are allowed in the shelters. Shelters have six bunks, however, four or more persons may sleep on the floor. Please call the park for additional information about the shelters prior to your visit.