Top 8 Lakes around Memphis

For a wide range of family activities, Shelby Farms Park is an excellent choice. It features numerous lakes like Hyde Lake, Lake Issaqueena with a sandy beach for swimming, and Catch 'Em Lake, a stocked fishing pond perfect for kids. The park also offers extensive trails, a Woodland Discovery Playground, and even a buffalo herd. Another option is Herb Parsons Lake State Fishing Area, which provides picnic areas and restrooms alongside fishing opportunities.

Many lakes around Memphis offer great opportunities for water sports. At Hyde Lake within Shelby Farms Park, you can rent canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park's Poplar Tree Lake also offers rentals for kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, and jon boats. For more intense activities like wakeboarding and jet skiing, McKellar Lake is a local favorite.

Yes, fishing is a popular activity at many lakes. Herb Parsons Lake State Fishing Area is a 177-acre lake known for its fishing. Within Shelby Farms Park, Catch 'Em Lake is specifically stocked for easy fishing, and over 20 other lakes and ponds are open for anglers. Poplar Tree Lake and Piersol Lake in Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park are excellent for bass, bream, and catfish. Eagle Lake is particularly known for its abundant catfish population.

You'll find extensive hiking opportunities near Memphis lakes. Shelby Farms Park offers numerous trails, including a 2.3-mile paved pedestrian trail around Hyde Lake. In Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, the Pioneer Springs Trail begins near Poplar Tree Lake and offers a tranquil forest experience. For more hiking options, explore the hiking routes around Memphis.

Lake Issaqueena, located within Shelby Farms Park, features a sandy beach and designated swimming areas, making it a popular choice for sunbathing and swimming. Horseshoe Lake, a short drive from downtown Memphis, also has calm, clear waters suitable for swimming.

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, with Poplar Tree Lake and Piersol Lake, provides a tranquil escape with its bottomland hardwoods and extensive forests, perfect for wildlife viewing and quiet recreation. Eagle Lake is also known for its calm waters and peaceful setting, ideal for anglers seeking serenity.

Absolutely. Hyde Lake in Shelby Farms Park is encircled by a 2.45-mile paved bike trail, and a separate commuter trail also provides access. The park generally has extensive trails suitable for cycling. For more cycling adventures, check out the road cycling routes around Memphis, which include paths like the Shelby Farms to Herb Parsons Lake loop.

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park offers various camping options, including RV sites and fully furnished cabins, some of which overlook Poplar Tree Lake. For a larger experience with camping, Pickwick Lake, about two hours from Memphis, is a popular destination for camping and water sports.

Shelby Farms Park stands out with its Go Ape Treetop Adventure course over Pine Lake, where you can zip line across the water. It also features a buffalo herd and a Woodland Discovery Playground. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park offers extensive wildlife viewing opportunities, including over 240 bird species, deer, and bobcats, along with a large disc golf course.

Hyde Lake within Shelby Farms Park features a completely paved path that circles the water, making it accessible for runners, walkers, cyclists, and likely suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Poplar Tree Lake in Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park also has an ADA-accessible launch for boats.

For more extensive lake experiences, consider Sardis Lake in Mississippi, about an hour's drive, known for fishing and various water sports. Arkabutla Lake, just south of Memphis, offers a serene atmosphere and excellent fishing. Pickwick Lake, roughly two hours away, is a large, all-around favorite for water sports and camping.

Amenities vary by location. Shelby Farms Park offers picnic areas, restrooms, and concession stands, especially around Hyde Lake. Herb Parsons Lake State Fishing Area also provides picnic areas, restrooms, a concession area, and even a bicycle repair station. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park has picnic areas, restrooms, and boat rentals.