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State Park Location Maps:
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State Park Photo Gallery:
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State Park Event Calendar:
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Nearby Parks: Duck River Unit Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
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| State Park Overview: |
 | The park was named for General Nathan Bedford Forrest, the intrepid Confederate cavalry leader, who on November 4, 1864, attacked and destroyed the federal supply and munitions depot at (Old) Johnsonville at the mouth of Trace Creek. His operations were concentrated along the river in the vicinity of the park and the town of Eva.
In 1929 the park was dedicated to Nathan Bedford Forrest on land acquired in part from Benton County. Forrest was one of the greatest military tacticians and leaders of the American Civil War. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Great for the kids
My husband and I took our four kids and they say that they liked Nathan Bedford forest more than any other campground we have been to.
Written by Denise
30-May-2008
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| Camping: |
| The park has three campgrounds, two of those being primitive. Happy Hollow camping area has 38 sites, each equipped with tables, grills, water and electrical hookups. This area is served by a playground, a central bathhouse with showers, lavatories, and commodes. A dump station for self-contained trailer rigs is available.
The second campground is primitive camping with 15 available sites. Water is available, but not at each site; and there is a central restroom. All campsites are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
The third campground is available for supervised youth groups such as scouts, etc. This campground is available upon request and is located on Kentucky Lake near the park office. The area is served by porta-johns and water is located nearby. There is no charge for use of the area, but adult supervision is required.
The campground renovation is complete. The twenty-four sites have new electrical service boxes with 50 amp, 30 amp, and 20 amp receptacles. |
| Picnicking: |
| The park has two picnicking areas. Each area has tables, water spigots and grills. Restrooms and playgrounds are located nearby.
Three picnic pavilions are available for group use, and may be reserved by calling the park office. Pavilions may be reserved up to one year in advance.
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| Boating: |
| Boating, skiing, and fishing are very popular activities on 200,000-acre Kentucky Lake. Commercial marinas and public boat docks are located nearby. Three boating accesses are available in the park and there is no fee required. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Fishing is very popular on 200,000-acre Kentucky Lake. Commercial marinas and public boat docks are located nearby. Large catches of smallmouth, largemouth, striped bass, sauger, crappie, bream, and catfish are not uncommon on Kentucky Lake. Two boating accesses are available in the park and there is no fee required.
A valid Tennessee fishing license is required. |
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| Lodge: |
| Group Lodge:
This modern group lodge has a maximum capacity of 64 persons. It is divided into two units, each with toilet facilities. It is completely equipped for food preparation and serving, but no linens are provided. The kitchen is equipped with 2 commercial ovens, stove with 10 burners, 4 large commercial refrigerators and an 18 cu. ft. freezer.
Reservations for this facility should be made well in advance by writing or calling the park office. |
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|  | Note to Park related businesses: List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
 | Birdsong Resort, Marina & Campground providing fishing, hunting and camping. - ... popular fishing and hunting area. The highest point in western Tennessee is atop Pilot Knob/Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park at TRM 95.6. The park offers a lot of historical significance to this ... |  | Benton County TN Genealogy - The Beginnings of Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park, Part 3 - The Beginnings of Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park, Part 3. Nell Morisette NewsTribune Special Columnist. Hello, readers. December 16th is a beautiful but sad day. I lost my husband of 47... |
| Nature Programs: |
| The park has a full-time ranger-naturalist who conducts regularly scheduled programs throughout the summer months and special programs on request the rest of the year. Programs include campfires, movies, slide shows, guided tours, demonstrations, and arts and crafts. Several interesting natural and cultural exhibits are featured at the park office.
Programs that are offered year-round and travel to schools include: Birds of Prey, Civil War History, River Culture, Native Plants & Animals, Nature Films and Indian Life.Seasonal programs include: Hay Rides, Owl Prowl Program and Campfire Programs. |
| Area Attractions: |
| Interpretive Center and Museum
Pilot Knob, the highest elevation in West Tennessee, houses the Tennessee River Folklife Interpretive Center. The center features the life, ways, and customs of folks on the Tennessee River and includes musseling, crafts, commercial fishing, and more. Visitors can also enjoy browsing the gift shop that offers a large variety of TN State Park souvenirs and other items.
HOURS:8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 7 days a week11am-12pm the museum is closed for lunch each day.**The park will open the Center upon request during days that we do not have any staff available.
Special Events:
Easter Egg Hunt - April
Gospel Singing - June
Folklife Festival - September |
| Area Campgrounds | | Birdsong Resort Marina & RV Campground: Camp Ground & Recreational Vehicle Park 255 Marina Rd Camden, TN (731) 584-7887

| Tennessee River Camp Resort 6390 Cuba Landing Rd Waverly, TN (931) 296-7963

| Buffalo River Camping & Canoe 650 Cuba Landing Rd Waverly, TN (931) 296-5964

| 143 Off Road Park 935 Barren Hollow Rd Hurricane Mills, TN (931) 296-5588

| Larry's RV & Boat Repair 680 Clifford Hicks Rd Camden, TN (731) 584-0395

| Buchanan Resort 800 Buchanan Resort Rd Springville, TN (731) 642-2828

| Hidden Creek Camp Ground 2576 W Antioch Rd Springville, TN (731) 641-0034

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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Buddy's Retail & Fish Market 900 Missionary Grove Church Rd Camden, TN (731) 584-0884

| Cane Creek Boat Dock 530 Cane Creek Boat Dock Ln Stewart, TN (931) 721-3483

| Hunt's Outdoors 330 Clydeton Rd Waverly, TN (931) 296-1297

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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Birdsong Resort Marina & RV Campground: Resort & Marina 255 Marina Rd Camden, TN (731) 584-7880

| Beaver Dam Lodge and Marina 1280 Lodge Rd Camden, TN (731) 584-3963

| Country Junction Resorts 221 Lakeshore Dr Springville, TN (731) 593-3662

| Pleasant View Resort 289 Pleasant View Resort Rd Springville, TN (731) 593-5511

| Mansard Island Resort & Marina 60 Mansard Island Dr Springville, TN (731) 642-5590

| Howell's Resort 441 Buchanan Resort Rd Springville, TN (731) 642-7442

| Three Cedars Motel-Resorts 421 Fanning Rd Big Sandy, TN (731) 593-5343

| Pine Point Boat Dock 175 Pine Point Loop Rd Springville, TN (731) 642-9555

| Big Eagle Camp Ground 275 Duncan Dr Springville, TN (731) 642-3688

| Nannie Ree's Oak Tree Resort 7930 Lick Creek Rd Big Sandy, TN (731) 593-5685

| Bass Bay Village 895 Bass Bay Rd Big Sandy, TN (731) 593-3239

| Birdsong Resort Marina & RV 255 Marina Rd Camden, TN (731) 584-7880

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| Directions: |
| Take Exit 126 on Interstate 40 and travel North on Hwy. 641 for 15 miles to Camden. Turn right on Highway 70 East (do not take the 70 By-pass) at the traffic signal. Follow the signs to the park. |
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