Point Washington Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Point Washington Wildlife Management Area is a 15,000-acre protected area in Tennessee, located in the eastern part of the state.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
There are several good reasons to visit Point Washington Wildlife Management Area, including hiking, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, and wildlife observation. The area is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, turkey, quail, and waterfowl.
One of the main points of interest in the area is the Tellico River, which runs through the management area and offers excellent fishing opportunities. Other notable attractions include the Bald River Falls and the Cherohala Skyway, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
Interesting facts about the area include its long history as a hunting and fishing destination, as well as its role in preserving the natural habitat of several endangered species, including the Appalachian elktoe, a freshwater mussel found in the Tellico River.
The best time of year to visit Point Washington Wildlife Management Area depends on your interests. If you are interested in hunting or fishing, the fall and winter months are typically the best times to visit. Spring and summer are ideal for hiking and birdwatching, as the area is home to a diverse range of bird species, including the endangered Cerulean warbler.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
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.
Related References
Point Washington Wildlife Management Area
Grayton Beach State Park
Deer Lake State Park
Eden Gardens State Park
Choctawhatchee River Wildlife Management Area
Western Lake
Big Redfish Lake
Lake Powell