Accessibility at Meeman-Shelby Forest
Warning Alert

Road Closed Due to Erosion

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Due to erosion issues, One Way Road, past the campground at Meeman-Shelby, is closed. Please don't try to access these areas for your safety.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions about your upcoming reservation, please call 1 (888) 867-2757.

  • Two people walking on a sunny, forest path with autumn leaves.
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    Accessibility at Meeman-Shelby Forest

    At Tennessee State Parks, we serve a variety of visitors, including individuals with physical disabilities and those who may face other barriers to outdoor recreation. With a focus on accessibility, we continually strive to enhance our parks to better accommodate all visitors. Learn more about accessible features, amenities, programs, and services offered.

    • An all-terrain wheelchair sits in front of a park entrance sign that reads "Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park: Established - 1944."

    All-Terrain Wheelchairs

    All-terrain wheelchairs are specialized wheelchairs designed to navigate a wide range of terrains that may be encountered in outdoor environments. These are important to park visitors because they provide individuals with mobility impairments the opportunity to access and enjoy outdoor recreation areas that might otherwise be inaccessible.  

    Each park with an all-terrain wheelchair offers trail experiences that can accommodate this specialized wheelchair. The chairs are free and available to the public, including both children and adults. The chairs can be operated independently and offer the option of allowing caretaker control.   

    To help us serve our visitors better, we kindly ask that you give us advance notice if you’d like to use a wheelchair. While it is possible to request a chair upon arrival, there is a possibility that the chair may already be reserved for another guest. Advanced requests ensure the availability of wheelchairs and make your experience even more enjoyable.

    Reserve an All-Terrain Wheelchair

    Adult-Sized Changing Table

    Discover comfort and convenience at Tennessee State Parks with our newly introduced adult-sized changing tables.

    Designed to enhance accessibility, these changing tables cater to the diverse needs of our visitors, ensuring a welcoming environment for individuals of all ages and abilities.

    Located inside the Nature Center, the table at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park utilizes a remote to adjust the height of the table. This table lowers to approximately 12 inches off the ground and reaches a height of 39.5 inches when raised.  

    Learn more about adult-sized changing tables at Tennessee State Parks by clicking the link below.

    • White baby changing station in a minimalist public restroom.
    View Adult-Sized Changing Tables Page
    • Colorblind binoculars are in the foreground, overlooking a calm lake with a dock and boats.

    Colorblind Viewfinder

    Tennessee State Parks is a popular destination year-round, but for people with colorblindness, experiencing the full beauty of the parks can be a challenge.

    Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park uses color vision deficiency technology so that more travelers and residents alike can experience the beauty of Tennessee and the park's bottomlands. Use our Colorblind Viewfinder to check out the varying terrain of the Bald Cypress and Tupelo Swamp to the majestic Chickasaw Bluffs. This viewfinder is wheelchair friendly. Parking for the viewfinder is located at the Nature Center. 

    Explore Colorblind Viewers

    Paddling Opportunities

    Take a relaxing float on Poplar Tree Lake with our accessible paddling launch. Designed for ease and inclusion, enjoy a variety of activities out on the water.

    Poplar Tree Lake is a great place for a relaxing kayak float. Giant oaks, American beech, hickory, and sweet gum trees cover the park and create breathtaking scenery to view from the lake. While on the water, you can listen to over 200 different species of songbirds. Enjoy the scenery surrounding the lake or bring a fishing reel and catch a few fish. Popular fish to catch on Piersol and Poplar Tree Lake are bass, bluegill, and catfish if you have a special lake permit that can be purchased for a fee. Parking is available in the Nature Center parking lot. 

    Kayaks are available to rent annually for a fee to receive a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). The park offers ranger-led canoe and pontoon boat tours. Please check the Event Calendar for more details about these guided paddles and tours. Please note: a launch fee is required to launch a personal Jon boat, kayak, or canoe.

    Go To Paddling Page

    Nature Center, Aviary, and More on Poplar Tree Lake

    The Nature Center is located on the south side of Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park along Poplar Tree Lake.

    It features live snakes, turtles, salamanders, fish aquariums, a stuffed animal exhibit, an indoor live butterfly garden (open seasonally), a bone table, an insect table, and a Native American exhibit. These exhibits are a great opportunity to learn about the deep history and rich nature of the area. 

    Afterward, visit the aviary to see our resident raptors up close and keep an eye out for other birds of prey, including the American bald eagle as you explore the park. Parking is located at the Nature Center providing sidewalk access to the Aviary. 

    • Ranger with an eagle perched on a stand in a grassy park.
    • A quaint wooden picnic shelter with benches stands on sunlit grass beside a large tree.

    Picnic Areas

    Reserve your spot today!

    Continue unwinding by Poplar Tree Lake or in other beautiful spots among the 12,539-acre bottomland area by reserving a Picnic Shelter to host a picnic in the shade.

    Picnic Shelter 1 and the Dial Golf Shelter are accessible and should be specifically requested when reserving a shelter. A non-accessible playground is located next to Shelter 1.

    Go to Venues Page

    Overnight Accommodations

    Keep in mind that limited numbers of ADA-accessible lodge rooms, cabins, and campsites are available, so it is best to make reservations as far in advance as possible. For those who require ADA-accessible accommodation when staying overnight, it is important to make a specific request when booking a reservation and contact us directly at 1-888-867-2757 to reserve an ADA-accessible accommodation. 

      • A small, beige cabin with a sloped roof. A ramp and handicap sign are visible in front.

      Cabins

      Continue your trip at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park by reserving a cabin. Located along the beautiful Poplar Tree Lake, Cabin 6 is wheelchair-friendly and should be specifically requested when making a reservation. 

      Book a Cabin
      • Wooden cabin surrounded by autumn trees and a clear sky.

      Campground

      Another option is our campground with 49 wooded sites sitting within the Chickasaw Bluffs. Each site includes a picnic table, grill, water hookup, and electric service. RV Campsites 17, 20, and 37 are wheelchair-friendly and should be specifically requested when making a reservation.

      Book a Campsite
    • A group of children and two adults gather around a wooden trail map in a forest.

    Have Questions? Need Accommodations?

    We're here to help.

    If you have any questions, comments, or require special accommodations or assistance with interpretive services and events for someone in your party, we're here to help.  

    To fulfill reasonable requests for assistance, we kindly ask that you reach out to the Park Office at least 10 days before your visit. This will enable us to make the necessary arrangements to provide you with an enjoyable park experience. Provide us with details about your needs so we can be well-prepared.