6 miles, trail difficulty: intermediate
Address: 1435 John Howell Rd Pocahontas TN 38061
Phone: Park Office-731 645 7967 Manager-731 433 8072 Ranger-731 244 1598
Website: http://big-hill-pond_brochure.pdf (tnstateparks.com)
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Getting here – two lane country highway, big hill in park entrance.
2. Parking & Trailers – gravel parking lot (back in on busy days).
3. Family Friendly – yes
4. Trail Difficulty – Intermediate
5. Trail Info – sunny and shady, hilly, gravel roads, shared trails with cyclists, boots or shoes recommended.
6. Amenities – no restroom, water available, no rails, no tables.
7. Events & entertainment – organized rides by permit only.
8. Lodging – no
9. Hookups – N/A
10. Stalls – N/A
Other/notable:
BIG HILL POND STATE PARK lies 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. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE The park’s namesake, Big Hill Pond, was created in 1853 when soil was scooped out of a borrow pit and then used to build a levee across the Tuscumbia River 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. MOUNTAIN BIKE AND HORSE TRAILS Fourteen miles of equestrian trails are available, primarily on old logging/fire roads and park gravel roads. Horse trails are blazed red and shared with mountain bike riders. Most fire roads are double-back roads.