Big Hill Pond State Park is located in the southwestern part of McNairy County and encompasses 4,138 acres of timberland and hardwood bottomland. Cypress Creek and Tuscumbia River border the property. The flood plain, adjacent to the river and creek contains small oxbows and swampy areas which are desirable habitat for waterfowl, wildlife and fish.
Big Hill Pond highlights include the 70-foot observation tower that offers panoramic views of Travis McNatt Lake and the boardwalk that wends through Dismal Swamp. Guests visiting Big Hill Pond State Park enjoy camping, hiking, birding, mountain biking, fishing, and paddling on Big Hill Pond Lake in the summer. The park is home to thirty miles of overnight and day-use trails with four backpack trail shelters.
Big Hill Pond State Park visitors with a passion for horses can bring their own horses along for the Big Hill Pond experience. The park has approximately 14 miles of horse trails and is shared with mountain bikers. The horses must stay on the red trail and fire roads and are not allowed on hiking trails or on the back or the front of the Lake Dam. Horse riding is day use only, as there are no overnight accomodations available for horses. Big Hill Pond State Park does not rent horses, you must bring your own.
The park derives its name from the 35-acre Big Hill Pond which was created in 1853 when soil was scooped from a borrow pit to build a levee across the Tuscumbia and Cypress Creek bottoms for the Memphis to Charleston Railroad. Over the years, a great stand of Cypress trees has grown in and around the 35-acre pond. The territory was designated Big Hill Pond State Park by the Department of Conservation for reassessing the need for recreational opportunities in 1977.
Park Trail Maps
Looking for a trail map? Click the link below to see a list of the maps available at this park. The page includes all the trail maps we have available, organized by park. We have free and paid options that provide you the details you need to have your next great adventure in Tennessee.
Geo-referenced Trail Maps
Did you know that certain types of PDF maps can show your exact position on a trail? We are creating geo-referenced maps for our parks. When the map is opened with an app on your smart phone, a dot/reference point displays on the device screen at your exact location. These maps use your GPS, not your cell signal, so they work even when you do not have service. Here is what you need to access our maps:
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM - Winter
For the most up-to-date hours and information, please contact Big Hill Pond State Park directly.
