Upcoming outdoor adventures at Reelfoot Lake abundant

By KEVIN BOWDEN
Staff Reporter
By land or by water, Reelfoot Lake has several upcoming events for those looking for a little outdoor adventure.
Reelfoot Lake State Park is participating in Earth Day 2013 with a morning hike along the Black Bayou Trail on Sunday. Hikers will meet at 9 at the Reelfoot State Park Visitors Center off Highway 21.
The hikers will travel by vehicle to the trailhead and will then embark on their morning hike along what is described as a “flat, dirt trail.”
Reservations are recommended for the hike and may be made by calling the visitors center at (731) 253-9652.
The trail through the woodland area at Reelfoot Lake will provide hikers with a prime opportunity to observe wildlife and woodland birds, according to a news release. Hikers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, bring water and dress appropriately for the weather.
Free hiking medallions will be given out to the first hikers to register.
Coming up April 26 is a sunset/moonlight canoe float on Reelfoot Lake.
The guided canoe trip will organize at 6 p.m. at the Reelfoot Lake State Park Visitors Center and members of the state park staff will lead the way to where the canoe trip will actually begin. There is a $10 per person charge for the canoe trip and reservations may be made by calling the visitors center.
The twilight trip will focus on nighttime creatures and the history of the lake.
“Cypress snags make ghostly silhouettes in the moonlight. Night sounds inspire the imagination,” a news release states.
The canoe trip will be over flat water, but the excursion will require some upper body strength, as the journey will last about three hours.
Canoeists are encouraged to bring water, a snack and insect repellent. Canoes, life jackets and paddles will be provided by the state park.
For those who enjoy the great outdoors, but are interested in a less strenuous outing, the Reelfoot Lake State Park staff will begin offering scenic pontoon boat cruises starting May 1 and continuing into September.
All the boat cruises will be guided by experienced naturalists, who will talk about the history of the lake during the trips.
There will be three-hour boat cruises offered daily, leaving from behind the visitors center at 9 a.m. Reservations are required through the visitors center and there is a $9 charge for adults and a $6 charge for children younger than 16.
In addition to the three-hour daily cruises, the state park will also offer short cruises lasting about an hour every Saturday and Sunday and on holidays. The short cruises cost $6 per person and depart from behind the visitors center at 1:30 and 3 p.m.
A flyer promoting the scenic boat cruises goes into detail about the “majestic cypress trees” that rise from the reflective waters of the lake.
“A variety of aquatic plants and flowers occupy the shoreline and saturate the shallow water. Hundreds of birds fill the air with the songs. You may see great blue herons, ducks and an occasional Bald Eagle soaring above,” the flyer states.
Special afternoon cruises can be arranged for groups of 10 or more.
Staff Reporter Kevin Bowden may be contacted by email at kmbowden@ucmessenger.com.

Published in The Messenger 4.16.13