Big Hill Pond For Educators
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
Big Hill Pond Educator Programs
Want a fun way to get your students excited about learning? Why not learn with a Park Ranger?
Tennessee State Parks offer accessible, discovery-based educational experiences aligned with Tennessee’s academic standards. Choose a program for your class, plan your day at a park, and request an experience today.
Our Programs
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Field Trips
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School Outreach
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Self-guided/Teacher-led
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Virtual Connections
Big Hill Pond Programs
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Meet A Ranger
Who are Rangers? What do they do? Find out! It takes skill, knowledge, experience, and education to be a Park Ranger. Join us today to explore a day in the life of a Tennessee State Park Ranger!
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 150 students
Cost: $0/student -
Underwater Discovery
View Travis McNatt Lake in a whole new way! Students will sharpen their kayaking skills and use an underwater camera to explore freshwater organisms up close.
**Recommended for warmer months.
Meets: 2.LS1.2, 4.LS2.4
Location: Park only
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 120 minutes
Capacity: 10 students
Cost: $10/student -
Creek Crawl
Cool off and explore the creek! Using various nets, buckets, and tools, students will examine the biodiversity in the creek and learn how to identify freshwater creatures. Students will also learn about indicators of stream health.
Meets: 2.LS1.2, 4.LS2.5
Location: Park only
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 120 minutes
Capacity: 30 students
Cost: $5/student -
Snakes of Tennessee
The snakes at our park display beautiful examples of species-specific adaptations. Students will learn about the unique characteristics and ideal habitats of native snakes. Students will also be introduced to how humans impact life for native snakes and their habitats. Join us today and turn fear into curiosity!
Meets: 2.LS1.1-2, 3.LS1.1, 5.LS1.1
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 70 students
Cost: $0/student -
Cultural History of McNairy County
Through vivid storytelling and discussion, students will travel through time, following the history of Big Hill Pond and McNairy County. Students will compare and contrast important stages of local history from Native Americans and early settlers to life today.
Meets: K.02, 1.01, 1.07, 1.25, 5.28, TN.05, TN.17, TN.31
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 45 minutes
Capacity: 50 students
Cost: $0/student -
Save the Bees
Bzzzz! Honeybees do more than just zip around! Join us for a chance to see bees in action! Students will learn about the unique characteristics, jobs, and needs of bees. Students will better understand the role bees play in our ecosystem.
Meets: 2.LS1.2, 2.LS2.2, 3.LS4.1-2
Location: Park only
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 60 minutes
Capacity: 25 students
Cost: $5/student
How to Request a Program
Program requests use the same form whether you are requesting funding support or not. Once you have submitted the form, allow 10 days for processing. Request educational program experiences at least four to six weeks in advance of the desired time frame for the program.
To complete the form:
Funding Assistance
Field trip funding may be available to remove barriers to participation.
The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy (501-C3) assists schools in covering the costs of scheduled programs at a Tennessee State Park. Funds can cover bus transportation costs and park program fees. Partial funds may be awarded. Awards are given after the field trip is completed.
When applying for a program, select “yes” on the application form if you are interested in receiving funding support.
What’s Next?
Submitting the form begins the scheduling and funding process.
The request will be in "Pending" status until confirmed. Allow 10 days for processing. A park staff member will email confirmation of the program and notify you of any park-related fees.
If you requested funding, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy Director will email the decision to award or deny funding. Funding is processed after the program as a reimbursement. Partial funds may be awarded. In this case, the school will be responsible for any costs above the amount written in the award email.
Submitting for Funding Reimbursement
To receive reimbursement, you must provide the following documentation:
- Bus invoice
- Park invoice
- Photos
- Number of students new to any Tennessee State Park
- Student and teacher feedback