Canoeing and Kayaking
Looking for a place to paddle? Reelfoot Lake offers a variety of places to canoe and kayak that offers open water, shallow water with an array of blooming vegetation, narrow trails, wide ditches, flooded forests, etc. While we only have a few "established" trails that offer trailblazers and interpretive signs on the refuge, there are still other trails you can enjoy. See links below for canoe trail maps.
The Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge closes seasonally. Paddling is not available on Grassy Island from Nov 15-Jan 31, or at Long Point from Nov 15-March15.
Guided Canoe Trips
Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge offers canoe trips upon request to groups of 8 or more, Monday-Friday between 7am- 2pm for FREE. Trip duration depends on location and what areas are accessible at that time. Most trips are ~2 hours. To schedule, please email Tara Dowdy. It is best to email or call several weeks before your preferred date to make sure we can get you on the calendar. Canoes/Kayaks, life jackets and paddles are provided at no cost, or you can bring your own canoe/kayak.
March and April are the best months for paddling on Reelfoot Lake. The Reelfoot Lake State Park offers guided Deep Swamp Canoe Trips to the public during these months. May and June are still good months for kayaking, depending on water levels, but July and August tend to be a bit more difficult to navigate due to vegetation. If the Reelfoot area is lacking rain, water levels drop, making it difficult to paddle on the north end of the lake. The south end of the lake is always available for kayaking, but tends to be more windy due to the lack of tree lines.
Anywhere around 12 ft. and above is usually good for paddling. Check USGS for up-to-date water levels. USGS Reelfoot Lake Water Level
Established Trails on Reelfoot NWR
All Canoe Trails Look at this map FIRST to see where each of the trails are on the lake. Zoom in and out on the following maps to get a better idea of where each one is on the lake. Click the text on the left side of the maps for more information about each trail.
Non-Established Trails on Reelfoot Lake
The following trails have no trailblazers or interpretive signage.
Glory Hole Trail - Alternative Route
Grassy Island - Alternate Route (Highly recommended in lower water levels)
Preparing for Your Canoe Trip
Always tell a friend of family member where you are going and when you expect to be back. Give them a map of your exact trip plan! When you return from your trip, update your contact that you have made it back safely.
Dress in layers and wear appropriate shoes.
Always check the weather radar. If it is windy day, opt for places that have more tree lines to break the wind. Open areas tend to be difficult to navigate due to wind. Never attempt to canoe when rain or lightening will be present. If you DO get caught in a storm, you can often times find a duck blind to paddle into for safety.
Things go pack:
- Water and snacks
- Whistle
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses and a sun hat
- Binoculars and camera
- Bug repellent
