Home » Exploring Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee – Eagles, Cypress Swamps, and a Family Memory Road Trip

Exploring Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee – Eagles, Cypress Swamps, and a Family Memory Road Trip

A Spring Road Trip to Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee

Back in 2014 we took a spring road trip to Reelfoot Lake in Tiptonville, Tennessee. This trip was especially meaningful for Michael because he wanted to revisit a place he had traveled to many years earlier with his grandparents.

When Michael was younger, they would make the long drive down to the lake to stay at Boardman’s Resort, where fishermen and hunters would rent cabins near the water. Boardman’s sat right next to Reelfoot Lake State Park, making it a perfect place to spend a weekend on the lake.

Reelfoot Lake itself is a fascinating place. The lake was formed by the massive earthquakes of 1811–1812, some of the largest earthquakes in North American history. Those earthquakes caused the land to sink and created the lake that visitors enjoy today.

Returning to a Place from the Past

We started our own trip on a cool and sunny morning. The drive today is very different from the one Michael remembers from years ago. Many of the old two-lane highways have been replaced by modern four-lane roads, making the trip much easier.

Before leaving, Michael had done some research and discovered that Boardman’s Resort had changed ownership and is now known as Blue Bank Resort. Over the years the resort has seen many updates, but when we arrived Michael was happy to see that some things had stayed the same.

The wooden boardwalk along the protected boat docks was still there, and the lake was still full of ducks and geese just like he remembered.

Since we arrived later in the evening we did not have much time to explore before dark. Instead, we stepped out onto the deck of the double cabin we rented for the weekend and enjoyed the quiet lake view under a bright full moon.

What to Know Before Visiting Reelfoot Lake

One thing visitors should remember when traveling to the Reelfoot Lake area is that most of the resorts cater primarily to fishermen and hunters.

There are not many fast-food restaurants nearby, and most of the restaurants are located on one side of the lake. Since Reelfoot Lake covers around 15,000 acres, it can take quite a while to drive completely around it.

If you plan to explore the area, it is a good idea to bring a cooler and pack a lunch so you can spend more time enjoying the lake.

Eagle Watching at Reelfoot Lake

While settling in that first evening we learned that we had just missed the eagle watching tours by one weekend. From January through mid-March the area becomes a major destination for bird watchers because more than 200 bald eagles nest around the lake during the winter months.

The next morning after breakfast at the resort, we stopped by the Reelfoot Lake State Park office. Even though the official tours were finished for the season, the staff gave us maps and pointed out several places around the lake where eagles had recently been spotted.

Searching the Lake for Eagles

We spent most of that Saturday slowly driving around the lake and visiting the locations marked on the map. Even though we did not see many eagles that day, we still enjoyed the peaceful beauty of the lake, with its cypress trees rising out of the water and wildlife all around.

Later that afternoon, just as we were about to head out to find dinner, something caught our eye near the tree line.

A large bird suddenly lifted off into the sky. Then two more followed behind it.

We watched them soar for a while, trying to figure out exactly what we were seeing. After a few moments we decided they must have been Golden Eagles, which made the long day of searching well worth it.

Ending the Day at the Boathouse Restaurant

After the birds disappeared from sight, we finally headed off to find a place to eat. We ended up having dinner at The Boathouse Restaurant, where we wrapped up a great day of exploring around one of the most unique lakes in the Midwest.

Trips like this remind us that sometimes the best adventures are the ones that reconnect us with places that hold special memories.