Fort Pillow Paddling
Paddling at Fort Pillow
Kayak, Canoe, Paddle Boards, Rentals, and Bring Your Own!
Canoes and kayaks can be rented year-round for use on Fort Pillow Lake. Paddle boards can be rented during the summer months.
Please note:
- Canoes have three bench seats, cup holders, and a fishing pole holder.
- Life jackets and paddles are provided.
- Rentals may not be removed from the park grounds.
- Personal canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards are allowed on Fort Pillow Lake and Cold Creek Chute.
- PFDs must be worn at all times.
Where to Rent:
Please pay at the park museum. Boats are rented from 8:00 AM to sunset beginning Memorial Day Weekend.
- Canoe: $8/hour or $30/day
- Kayak (Single): $8/hour
- Paddle Board: $8/hour
Water Trails
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Fort Pillow Lake
GPS Coordinates: N 35 37'44.7" W 89 50'37.4"
Fort Pillow Lake commonly referred to as Sullivan’s Pond is located in Fort Pillow State Historic Park in Lauderdale County, Henning, Tennessee.
Directions to Access Point: Take State Route 87 West from Henning and continue on to State Route 207. Make a right and follow the signs into the park then continue on to the lake. The grass parking lot accommodates approximately 10 vehicles. The closest restroom is located inside the Visitor Center. The park is closed from Sunset to 8:00 AM.
Trail Description: Enjoy fishing and wildlife viewing in a serene park setting. Put in at the park boat launch ramp and follow the shoreline. While on the lake you can see the original fort entrance and bluffs created by the same glaciers that formed the Mississippi River. Mileage buoys are located every tenth of a mile on the 1.20-mile lake. The lake may be difficult to navigate during periods of high wind.
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Cold Creek Chute Short Trail
GPS Coordinates: N 35° 38' 53.2075" W 89° 50' 5.4657"
Directions to Access Point: Take State Route 87 West from Henning and continue on to Crutcher Lake Rd. Turn right and continue for 1.7 miles, and the parking lot and boat launch will be on your left. The gravel parking lot accommodates approximately 100 vehicles. There are no restrooms.
Trail Description: Put in at the Cold Creek boat launch located in the John Tulley Wildlife Management Area and go west on Cold Creek to the confluence of “The Chute”. Turn south and stay to the left of the island. The Mississippi River Bluffs on your left border the shoreline of Fort Pillow State Historic Park. The park is inaccessible from the lake. At the southern-most end of “The Chute” turn around and paddle north back to the island you previously passed at the confluence of Cold Creek. Go east into Cold Creek to return to the access area where you began your trip. At times, the current may be too strong or water too high for paddle craft to safely navigate the water.
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Cold Creek Chute Long Trail
Trail Description: Put in at the Cold Creek boat launch located in the John Tulley Wildlife Management Area and follow Cold Creek to the confluence of “The Chute”. Go north and follow the shoreline until you reach a fork in the river. Turn around at the fork and paddle south. While on the lake enjoy fishing, and views of bottomland hardwood forests that would have covered a majority of the surrounding area prior to the land being settled. Additionally enjoy sightings of wading birds, waterfowl, aquatic insects, mammals, and plants indigenous to the wildlife refuge. Take a left at the confluence of Cold Creek and “The Chute” to return to the boat launch where you started your trip. At times, the current may be too strong or water too high for paddle craft to safely navigate the water.
Discover More at Fort Pillow
No events are scheduled at this time, but there's always more to explore.
