Accessibility at Reelfoot Lake
  • Sunset on the water with silhouette of trees.
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    Reelfoot Lake Accessibility

    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.  

    • All terrain wheelchair on a wooden walkway.

    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 to the public and available for 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.

    • adult-sized changing table near a toilet and sink in a room with a high window.
    View Adult-Sized Changing Tables Page

    Accessible Kayak/Canoe Launch

    Paddle on Reelfoot Lake by using the accessible kayak/canoe launch located at Kirby Pocket. Bask in the shallow flooded forest and towering Cypress trees as you paddle the lake, viewing various wildlife and several species of birds. Wheelchair-accessible parking is located at the launch, including a paved path to the launch. Click the link below to learn more about this launch and the other state parks that have them.

    Go to Accessible Paddling Page

    Accessible Facilities

      • Entrance to Reelfoot State Park Visitor Center. The brick building is surrounded by lush greenery and a wooden fence under a partly cloudy sky.

      Visitor Center

      With accessible parking, restrooms and a gift shop, this is a good place to start your visit. 

      • A museum exhibit showcasing a wooden cabin and a traditional thatched hut with life-sized figures. The scene has a warm, historical ambiance.

      Nature Center and Museum

      You’ll find non-releasable raptors, snakes, and other local wildlife at the Nature Center. The museum is open year-round with free admission. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Exhibits are wheelchair-friendly with low thresholds and equipment is available for hard-of-hearing visitors when a guest speaker is present.  

      • Wooden boardwalk on water with trees in the distance/

      Cypress Boardwalk

      The Cypress Boardwalk enables visitors to stroll through a portion of the park. The Cypress Boardwalk begins behind the Visitor Center. Ask for directions when you are there!  

    Aviary

    A visit to our aviary will provide an up-close view of our bald eagles and other animal ambassadors.

    Accessible Venues

      • Picnic shelter with blue poles and a concrete trail in front of it.

      Picnic Areas

      Reelfoot Lake State Park offers a perfect spot for group activities and includes picnic areas.

      A picnic area is located in a grassy area, with concrete tables on a concrete pad.  

      Each table includes a charcoal grill. It sits close to the shores of Reelfoot Lake. It offers a gorgeous view of the water, cypress trees, and migratory birds flying through on the Mississippi Flyway. Please, exercise caution if you choose to navigate the picnic area. 

      Keystone Shelter is a wheelchair-friendly pavilion available to reserve for your next event! Enjoy a meal in the shade with friends and family and sit in the best spot for pelican viewing in the fall. Parking is located next to the shelter  

      Book a Picnic Shelter
      • Elegant hall with round tables, white chairs, and draped ceilings.

      Ellington Auditorium

      The Ellington Auditorium is a wheelchair-friendly, reservable space that best serves banquets, reunions, and meetings. The building has a ramp for ease of entry.

      Go to Venues Page

    Boating and Fishing

    One of the best ways to experience Reelfoot Lake is by boat.

    The lake is a shallow flooded forest with lots of submerged stumps and standing trees and offers excellent fishing opportunities. Register for a Pontoon Tour for a guided experience on Reelfoot Lake. A ramp to enter the pontoon boat is available to use. Call the park directly to request the ramp prior to the Pontoon Tour.  

    The Boat Dock and the Boat Ramp at Kirby Pocket are wheelchair-friendly and available for visitors to use. Whether you’re looking to explore the lake and enjoy serene views, or you want to cast your line and reel in dinner, Kirby Pocket is a great spot. 

    In the Kirby Pocket area, wheelchair-accessible parking and Boat Trailer parking are located by the Boat Ramp, Restroom, and Fish Cleaning Station with sidewalk access to each.  

    The Fish Cleaning Station can be accessed from the sidewalk, but there is not a lowered cleaning station table inside.   

    • Tranquil lake scene with a wooden dock in the distance, surrounded by lush green foliage and trees under a clear blue sky, conveying serenity.

    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.

      • Concrete camping area, surrounded by trees, with a picnic table.

      South Campground Camping 

      After a long day of paddling or exploring the Nature Center and Museum, spend the night on a paved RV Campsite. Each site is near a bathhouse and includes electric and water hookups. RV Campsites 11, 12, 13, 30, and 32 are wheelchair-friendly, include ADA fire rings, electric, water, and sewer. 

      ADA sites can be specifically requested when making a reservation. To book your overnight accommodations and learn more about our campsites, see the link below.

      Book a Campsite
      • Wooden cabin by a lake with bare trees and clear sky.

      Cabins

      Cabin visitors can experience the uniqueness of Reelfoot Lake as the lake is in fact a flooded forest with an ecosystem like no other in Tennessee. Cabins 2 and 6 are wheelchair friendly and should be specifically requested when making a reservation. 

      To book your stay and learn more about our cabins, see the link below. 

      Book a Cabin
    • Park ranger in uniform sits smiling in a white truck marked "Park Ranger." The background features lush green trees, creating a serene forest setting.

    Questions? Need Accommodations?

    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.