Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

About Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

On the banks of the mighty Mississippi River lies Meeman - Shelby Forest State Park, one of the largest national parks in the United States. The park maintains a boat ramp on the Mississippi River and also includes a pathway system, a nature center, an amphitheater and a picnic area. It is named after the courageous editor of the Scripps-Howard newspaper who helped build North America's first national park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Meeman - Shelby has six two-bedroom cottages located in the densely wooded parts of the park, as well as a small campground and picnic area. Natural flora and fauna such as wildflowers, birds, reptiles and amphibians are present as well as a variety of wildlife.

Each cabin is fully equipped for housekeeping and food preparation and can accommodate up to six people. The two-bedroom cottages in Meeman - Shelby State Park are ideal for family vacations and fishing parties.

Each cabin is equipped with VCR, TV, bed linen and can accommodate up to six people.

Reservations should be made in advance at the Visitor Center for the two-bedroom homes in Meeman - Shelby State Park.

Each cabin is equipped with wood for the winter months, there is a fireplace, the kitchen is fully equipped and pets can be accommodated in the cabin at no extra cost. The cabins are usually booked three weeks in advance, but can be booked up to a year in advance and are available at the Meeman - Shelby State Park Visitor Center or Visitor Center.

Each campsite has 49 campsites with tables, barbecues, electricity and water connections, as well as a picnic area, picnic table, fireplace and water supply.

The modern bathhouse offers hot showers, and there is also a self-propelled tug boat available. The maximum stay is two weeks, but reservations can be made in advance at the Visitor Centre. Seats are available on a first - come, first served basis and the maximum number of guests per pitch varies.

There are two group camps in Meeman - Shelby, and each consists of a large dining room, fully equipped for preparing and serving food. Group camps are available for youth groups and can accommodate up to eight people per camp, with a maximum capacity of four adults and four children. They can be accommodated in the Visitor Centre or on one of the campsites on the main park grounds.

The Mississippi River Group Camp has a separate shower and toilet and there are 4 showers, but all sanitary facilities are connected to the bunker. Campers only need to provide their own water, food, clothing, toiletries and personal hygiene items.

The group camp is bookable from April to October and can also be rented during the summer months for a fee of $5 per person per day or $10 per week.

Reservations for the campsite are possible and are recommended during the peak holiday season and should be made at the best time in the visitor centre. Reservations are available by phone at 1 - 901 - 876 - 5215 or online at www. Reservations are also possible by e-mail to [email protected] or by telephone at (888) 743-5555.

The park has two lakes, Meeman - Shelby Lake and Meeman - Shady Lake, each with a different species of fish. Outstanding white perches bring out the picturesque lakes, and other species are bream and catfish.

Private boats with electric motors are allowed on the lake for a small fee, petrol engines are not allowed. Jonboats can be rented at the jetty of the park, and many like to fish from the jetty on the shore.

Fishing permits are required for anglers aged between 16 and 62 and for adults aged 18 to 64.
This picturesque lake brings excellent white perch, but also bream and catfish. The park offers many opportunities to catch other fish such as bluefish, redfish and other small fish.

Fishermen aged between 16 and 62 require a fishing permit, and many enjoy fishing from the jetties and shore. Private boats with electric motors are allowed on the lake for a small fee, petrol engines are not allowed. Jonboats can be rented at the park jetty, as well as a number of other types of private boats such as kayaks, canoes, kayaks and even motor boats.

More than 300 picnic tables and barbecues are scattered throughout the park, as well as a number of picnic benches, picnic chairs and other picnic utensils.

The cottages are air-conditioned buildings with chairs and tables that can accommodate up to 100 people. In the park there are several picnic shelters as well as picnic tables, picnic benches and barbecues.

More than 20 km of hiking trails wind through the park, and special programs in the center include homemade ice cream, canoeing, kayaking and pontoon boating. The exhibits include stuffed animals, animals from all over the world, and animals and plants from Meeman - Shelby Forest State Park. There is an underground in the Mississippi, but this is taboo because of the controlled hunting of wild animals.