About Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
Located on and around Kentucky Lake in Northwest Tennessee, the refuge’s three units, Big Sandy, Duck River, and Busseltown, stretch for 65 miles along the Tennessee River. Established in 1945, as a conservation area for migratory birds, it provides a major wintering area for migrating waterfowl. Currently the refuge habitats include agricultural crops; vegetated wetlands, mudflats, shrub/scrub areas and forested lands. This rich diversity of habitats, harbor an abundance of wildlife. Three quarters of the bird species found in this state are found on the refuge. Our checklist includes 306 birds, 51 mammals, 89 reptiles and amphibians and 144 species of fish.
How to Get There
The refuge headquarters office is located in Paris, Tennessee at 3006 Dinkins Lane just off Highway 79 North. The Duck River Unit is located in Humphreys and Benton Counties at the confluence of the Duck and Tennessee Rivers. The subheadquarters of this unit is located 1 э miles southeast of Hustburg, Tennessee. The Big Sandy Unit is located 12 miles north of the town of Big Sandy, and is at the confluence of the Big Sandy and Tennessee Rivers. The Busseltown Unit is located in Decatur County, the entrance to the unit being 5 miles northeast of Parsons, Tennessee.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1637) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge?
The refuge headquarters office is located in Paris, Tennessee at 3006 Dinkins Lane just off Highway 79 North. The Duck River Unit is located in Humphreys and Benton Counties at the confluence of the Duck and Tennessee Rivers. The subheadquarters of this unit is located 1 э miles southeast of Hustburg, Tennessee. The Big Sandy Unit is located 12 miles north of the town of Big Sandy, and is at the c…
How do I contact Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 731-642-2091 or email: fw4_rw_tennessee@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
