Big Hill Pond Birding
Notification Alert
Dismal Swamp Boardwalk is Closed due to Construction
Dismal Swamp Boardwalk was originally built and 1977 and though we have had many people including volunteers and boy scout groups help maintain this asset, it still has some of the same materials from 1977 on it! We honestly can’t say thank you to everyone who has helped keep this asset open and available to the public over the years! With that being said, we, at Big Hill Pond State Park, have exciting news to share with everyone!
Dismal Swamp Boardwalk is being replaced! Last year our park received funding for a new boardwalk which we hope to see started in Spring of 2025! At this time, Dismal Swamp Boardwalk will be closed to the public to prepare for removal of materials and for preconstruction. The new boardwalk will be more user friendly as well as environmentally friendly! If you wish to still hike to the Observation Tower, don’t fret! You can still access the tower by using the blue and red trails.
Travis McNatt Lake Closure
Due to major infrastructure improvements happening at the lake, the Travis McNatt Lake remains closed.
Visitors are welcome to bring small paddling boats to Big Hill Pond Lake during this time.
When the lake reopens, it will be a part of the multi-departmental program, the Bill Dance Signature Lakes, and visitors will find:
- A rebuilt bridge on the east side of the lake
- A new, wider boat ramp
- Two new docks: a fishing pier and kayak-friendly courtesy dock
- Spillway repairs
- Improved bank fishing areas
- Invasion vegetation removal and fish habitat installation
- Fishery rebuilding and fish restocking
If you have additional questions, please submit them here: https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/ask_tn_state_parks
Birding at Big Hill Pond
The park encompasses 4,498 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 tower. The flood plain adjacent to the river and creek contains small oxbows and swampy areas which are desirable habitat for waterfowl, wildlife and fish. Over 150 species have been observed at the park.
Featured Birds
- Rusty Blackbird
- Carolina Chickadee
- Tufted Titmouse
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow
- Tree Swallow
- Acadian Flycatcher
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Louisiana Waterthrush
- Prothonotary Warbler
- Turkey Vulture
- Black Vulture
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Osprey
- Common Grackle
- Bald Eagle
- Canada Goose
- Northern Pintail
- Lesser Scaup
- Blue-winged Teal
- Bufflehead
- Gadwall
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Chimney Swift
- Pied-billed Grebe
- Killdeer
- Herons
- Egrets
- Red-eyed Vireo
- Pine Siskin
- Baltimore Oriole
- Hermit Thrush
- American Redstart
- Eastern Whip-poor-will
- Northern Parula
- Indigo Bunting
- Summer Tanager
- Flycatchers
- Downy Woodpecker
- Kinglets
- Kentucky Warbler
- Common Yellowthroat
- Wood Duck
- Great Blue Heron
- Barred Owl
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Sparrows
Birding Locations
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Turkey Call Trail Dismal Swamp Boardwalk
Featured birds: Rusty Blackbird, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Tree SwallowThis loop trail offers an elevated boardwalk through the Dismal Swamp, then dips into the Tuscumbia River floodplain before heading up the ridge into hardwood forest.
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Tuscumbia Trail Lookout Tower
Featured birds: Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey, Common GrackleThe 70-foot tall refurbished fire tower offers excellent 360° views of Travis McNatt Lake and Dismal Swamp.
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Fox Hollow Trail
Featured birds: Canada Goose, Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Blue-winged Teal, BuffleheadThe trail starts at the visitor center and skirts along the shore of Travis McNatt Lake. -
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Rocky Knob Trail Head
Featured birds: Red-eyed Vireo, Pine Siskin, Wild Turkey, Baltimore Oriole, Wood ThrushStarting in the campground, the trail heads upland through mixed pine forest, crossing Dismal Branch twice.
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Ghost River State Natural Area Mineral Slough Boardwalk
Featured birds: Prothonotary Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Parula, American Goldfinch, Indigo BuntingThis boardwalk forms a loop through a maze of bald cypress-water tupelo swamp. 135 species of birds were identified.
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William B. Clark State Natural Area: Trailhead
Featured birds: Kinglets, Kentucky Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Prothonotary Warbler, Wood DuckA boardwalk meanders through bottomland hardwood and swamp adjacent to a free-flowing section of the Wolf River, offering floodplains, marshland, and cypress-water tupelo swamp. 178 species of birds identified.
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Shiloh National Military Park: Parking Area
Featured birds: Wild Turkey, Northern Cardinal, Summer Tanager, Eastern Meadowlark, Red-winged BlackbirdThis historical park memorializes the Civil War with monuments placed among open fields and a hardwood forest. In late spring, 22 species of warblers have been observed here. 141 species of birds were identified.
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Responsible Birding
- Do not endanger the welfare of birds.
- Tread lightly and respect bird habitat.
- Silence is golden.
- Do not use electronic sound devices to attract birds during nesting season, May-July.
- Take extra care when in a nesting area.
- Always respect the law and the rights of others, violators subject to prosecution.
- Do not trespass on private property.
- Avoid pointing your binoculars at other people or their homes.
- Limit group sizes in areas that are not conducive to large crowds.
Discover More at Big Hill Pond
Explore the Gift Shops
Big Hill Pond has two gift shops and one camp store to serve the needs of our visitors.
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Visitor Center Gift Shop
The Visitor Center Gift Shop is the perfect place to pick up a map, learn about the park, or find a souvenir. You’ll find an assortment of apparel and keepsakes to remember your trip to the park.
Hours: Daily 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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Boat Dock Gift Shop
Heading out on the water? The Boat Dock Gift Shop is a great spot to grab boating supplies and snacks for your voyage.
Hours: Seasonal
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Camp Store
The park’s camp store is your best spot for finding gear, snacks, and accessories to make your camping experience exceptional. The camp store is your go-to destination for a cold drink, a can of chili, or those matches you forgot to pack.
Hours: Seasonal
No events are scheduled at this time, but there's always more to explore.
