If you’re traveling through Tennessee and looking for a destination filled with the beauty of natural wetlands, a colorful historical past, and a foundation based on native American legend, look no further than Reelfoot Lake in the northwest corner of the state. This scenic park features a cypress-filled lake with some of the best fishing in the country. The RV parks and visitor center make it a perfect place to stop, relax, explore, and connect with nature.
How the Lake Formed – Earthquake or Legend?
Reelfoot Lake is the only natural lake in the state of Tennessee. According to geological reports, the 15,000 acre was lake formed when massive earthquakes erupted across the New Madrid Faultline in 1811 and 1812.
Over 1800 small earthquakes shook the area in those months, but three massive earthquakes measured from 7.8-8.8 on the Richter scale. The impact was so strong that the rumblings were felt as far away as Boston, Massachusetts where church bells rang. In Washington, D.C., President James Madison claimed to have felt the vibrations from the White House.
The earthquakes upset the natural flow of the Mississippi River and caused widespread flooding. Hundreds of Native Americans drowned when their village washed away. Natural chasms opened up across the land, forming gullies and bluffs along the river. Some say the river ran backward, forced into new paths by the erupting earth. One of these paths formed a great depression in what is now Lake County. The area filled with water and became Reelfoot Lake.
One of the more colorful theories for the formation of this large lake has its basis in Native American legend. The story tells of a great Chickasaw warrior called Reelfoot. He was so named because he had a deformed foot. This warrior eventually became a Chief and needed a bride. He fell in love with a Choctaw princess, Laughing Eyes, and asked for her hand in marriage.
Her father, Chief Copiah, refused to allow the union. He said a brave warrior with a clubfoot could not be a powerful chief. As the two chiefs smoked the peace pipe, they called upon the Great Spirit for guidance. The Great One spoke to Reelfoot and told him he could not marry the princess if her father disapproved. Reelfoot returned home, broken-hearted and angry.
By the end of the next year, Reelfoot decided he must have the princess. The Great Spirit warned him. If Reelfoot stole the princess from her home, the spirit would rock the earth and destroy Reelfoot and his people under a great wall of water. Chief Reelfoot did not listen. He kidnapped the princess, Laughing Eyes.
As the drums beat to celebrate the marriage, the earth began to shake and rock. A huge cracking sound echoed throughout the area. Laughing Eyes begged Reelfoot to let her go home, but he refused. This made the Great Spirit angrier. He stomped his foot and left a great depression in the earth. The villagers watched as the river flowed backward, and its water formed a huge wave that covered the village. Chief Reelfoot, Laughing Eyes, and the villagers were buried beneath the water.
Whether you prefer the geological explanation or the romantic Native American myth, the formation of Reelfoot Lake is a dramatic story.
What Makes Reelfoot Special for RVers?
- Peaceful campgrounds nestled among tall trees and close to the water
- Prime birdwatching, especially bald eagles in winter
- Unforgettable fishing, with crappie, catfish, and bass aplenty
- Unique swampy scenery filled with moss-draped cypress and mirrored reflections
- Small-town Southern hospitality in places like Tiptonville and Hornbeak
Camping At Reelfoot Lake
1. Reelfoot Lake State Park – South Campground
- 86 paved RV sites with 20-, 30-, and 50-amp electric and water hookups
- Modern, clean bathhouses
- Picnic tables, grills
- Fish cleaning station, dump station
- Boat launch nearby
- Pet-friendly – leash laws apply
- Lakefront sites available for prime sunset views
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2. Reelfoot Lake State Park – Airpark North Campground
- Smaller, quieter option with 14 RV sites and 10 tent sites
- Water and 30-amp electric hookups
- Modern, clean bathhouse
- Picnic areas
- Close to the visitor center
- Pet friendly -leash laws apply
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Reelfoot Lake Nature Center
The R.C. Donaldson Memorial Museum and Nature Center is a great place to learn more about the area. On site park rangers share their vast knowledge of the lake, wildlife, and wetlands. The Nature center serves as a rehabilitation center for injured turtles, snakes, and raptors. An outdoor aviary houses recovering eagles, owls, and other birds of prey.
Inside the nature center, you’ll find an interactive exhibit that details the lake’s formation
What You’ll Experience:
- Live animal exhibits with owls, hawks, snakes, and turtles
- Educational displays about the lake’s formation and ecosystem
- Seasonal guided tours (including bald eagle tours in winter!)
- Photography and wildlife programs hosted by park naturalists
- Boardwalk trail through towering cypress trees with lake views
- Gift shop with books, crafts, and souvenirs
and ecosystems, importantant historical information, and Native American exhibOpen year-round (except holidays) and located near both state park campgrounds.
Don’t Miss:
- Fishing excursions — you can bring your own boat or rent one locally
- Airboat and wildlife cruises
- Sunset photography at the lake’s western shore
- Small-town eats — try local catfish in Tiptonville or grab dessert in Hornbeak
- Eagle spotting in January and February during peak season
Final Thoughts
Reelfoot Lake offers something truly unique for RV travelers — a place where nature, legend, and Southern hospitality collide. Whether you’re casting a line, snapping a sunrise photo, or just relaxing in your camp chair under a canopy of stars, this lake will leave an impression.
So hitch up the camper, bring the binoculars, and roll into one of Tennessee’s most unforgettable lakeside destinations. Reelfoot is ready to welcome you.