Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge is located in the state of Tennessee, not Illinois.


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Summary

It covers over 9,000 acres of land and water in the Mississippi River floodplain. The refuge is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and migratory birds such as bald eagles and waterfowl.

Visitors to Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge can participate in activities such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The refuge offers several trails and observation areas for visitors to explore. A popular spot is the observation tower overlooking the Hatchie River, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the refuge was established in 1964 to provide habitat for wintering waterfowl. It was later expanded to protect other wildlife species and their habitats. The refuge is also home to several archaeological sites, including Native American mounds and the remains of a Civil War-era fort.

The best time of year to visit Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge depends on the activity you are interested in. Spring and fall are popular times for birdwatching, as many migratory species pass through the area. Fishing is best in the summer months, while hiking and wildlife viewing can be enjoyed year-round.

In conclusion, Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful and diverse natural area with plenty to offer visitors. From hiking and fishing to birdwatching and wildlife viewing, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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