With all the rich, natural beauty Humphreys County has to offer, it’s easy to get outside and get moving anytime. If you’re planning an active weekend, whether you live locally or are just visiting for a few days, the options are abundant. So, get your hiking boots on, load up the kayak and camping gear, pack your golf clubs, and get ready to have an amazing active weekend in Humphreys County.
Hiking and Biking
The phrase “take a hike” is a good thing here in Humphreys County, and there’s no shortage of hiking and biking trails for you to choose from.
Ranging from easy to difficult, the trails at Johnsonville State Historic Park are perfect for any experience level. For an easy walk, try the African American Cemetery Loop Trail, a half-mile crushed rock surface trail. If you’d like a more moderate experience, the Historic Johnsonville Trail offers an 8-mile natural surface hike. More experienced hikers will get a thrill out of the Civil War Forts Trail with its two miles of rock and dirt.
Over at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, you can access the Tennessee River Trail, one of sixteen self-guided trails that make up the Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways program. The trails cover 347 miles throughout Middle and West Tennessee. Outdoor recreation is the overarching theme of the trail, and the myriad offerings along it make it absolutely perfect for visitors and locals who love the great outdoors.
Camping and Water Fun
From kayaking and canoeing to motor boating and waterskiing, there’s tons of fun to be had on the lake and rivers of Humphreys County.
At Bone’s Canoe and Campground in Cherry Bottom, you can camp and canoe along the Buffalo River, which was previously not easily accessible due to most of the land being privately owned. Rent a canoe or kayak, do some primitive camping, and enjoy the beautiful sights along the river.
If you’re gearing up for a fun day on the water, you’ll need to know where to launch your boat. Check out Cuba Landing Marina with its 180 wet boat slips that accommodate 10’x24’ and 20’x70’ boats. It’s also home to one of the largest Ship Stores on the Tennessee River. They have just what you need, including live bait, fishing tackle, boat parts, life jackets, clothing sunglasses, snacks, drinks, ice, gas, and more.
When you’d rather spend time at the lake, Eagle Bay Marina is the perfect spot. Located on Kentucky Lake in Waverly, Eagle Bay Marina consists of 165 acres available for boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and more. Boat slips are available for both long- and short-term rentals. There’s also a camping area, store, bait shop, and a tropical white sand beach.
Hunting and Fishing
Humphreys County is home of some of the absolute best fishing and hunting in the south. Here are just a few of the best spots for both activities.
With multiple options for hunting deer, turkey, duck, and other game, Humphreys County offers some of the most challenging and enjoyable hunting in the south. Check out the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge for a wealth of information on local hunting options, laws, and regulations.
The Buffalo Ridge Education Center, located inside the Tennessee Wildlife Refuge, is the perfect spot for recreational activities like hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography. Buffalo Ridge is also developing shooting ranges on the property, including multiple facilities and ranges where visitors can use sporting clays, trap, skeet targets, archery, 3-D archery, and more.
Located on the Tennessee River, which is known for great sport fishing and other water recreation, is Johnsonville State Historic Park. Here you can fish from the bank and have success, but for the most productive fishing, you’ll want to go by boat. Find spring crappie fishing from March through May, bass in the spring and fall, and catfish in the summer and fall.
Some of the very best bass and catfish habitats are located in Humphreys County, and Kentucky Lake is one of them. In fact, a woman caught an 88-pound catfish here in 2019, and that’s no fish story! There are numerous spots for fishing access, including some of the marinas and campgrounds mentioned above.
Sports and Recreation
Sports, games, and other recreational activities are also readily available in our area. Take the family out for some friendly competition or check an item or two off your bucket list.
For the ultimate in outdoor thrills, try Music City Skydiving in Waverly. Skydiving is a life-changing experience and a bucket list item for many, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful backdrop for it than the natural beauty of Humphreys County. With an 8,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility; full-service rigging loft and gear store; large, wide open, flat landing areas; top-of-the-line equipment for students and experienced jumpers; and extremely high safety standards, Music City Skydiving is perfect for the first-time jumper or someone with thousands of jumps under their belt.
If golfing is more your speed, try the Willow Ridge Golf Course in McEwen. This 18-hole course features 5,992 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. Zoysias fairways flow into beautiful bentgrass greens, and some rolling landscape and water hazards make for some challenging yet scenic holes of golf. Designed and owned by Ernie Cannon, Willow Ridge opened in 2000 and has great reviews.
When family fun is the order of the day, or maybe the weather isn’t right for outdoor activities, try Skyway Pizza and Lanes in New Johnsonville. Enjoy yummy pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and more while you enjoy bowling and games in a family atmosphere.
Staying active will be no problem at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, which features camping, museums, exhibits, shops, and memorabilia. The Ranch is also home to a beautiful inground swimming pool and other recreational activities like canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, volleyball, horseshoes, cornhole, cookouts, and biking. There are also seasonal events and festivals throughout the year, so keep an eye on the Ranch’s calendar!
Residents and visitors to Humphreys County will have no problem finding ways to stay active all weekend long. Whether you spend your time indoors with some bowling or other games, or outside hiking, fishing, or boating among the rich natural beauty, you’re sure to have a wonderful time while enjoying some beautiful scenery along the way.
ITINERARY POINTS OF INTEREST
Johnsonville State Historic Park
This 1000+ acre park was named after then-governor of Tennessee to commemorate the site of the Johnsonville Depot and the Battle of Johnsonville as well as the site of the historic town of Johnsonville itself before it was submerged during the creation of Kentucky Lake.
One of sixteen self-guided trails that make up the Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways program. The trails cover 347 miles throughout Middle and West Tennessee.
Bone’s is a family-run primitive camping and canoe rental business that would be a prime spot for a fun and active family camping trip.
This marina is home to one of the largest Ship Stores on the Tennessee River. They have just what you need, including live bait, fishing tackle, boat parts, life jackets, clothing sunglasses, snacks, drinks, ice, gas, and more.
Eagle Bay Marina consists of 165 acres available for boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and more. Boat slips are available for both long- and short-term rentals.
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
The TN Wildlife Refuge spans four counties, including Humphreys County, as well as over 50,000 acres and is a protected habitat of a wide variety of wildlife.
Shooting and Archery at Buffalo Ridge Education Center
While Buffalo Ridge is perfect for outdoor recreational activities like hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography, their education center is also developing shooting ranges where visitors can use sporting clays, trap, skeet targets, archery, 3-D archery, and more.
Kentucky Lake was created when the Kentucky Dam was finished in 1944 and the old town of Johnsonville was flooded and is filled with catfish, crappie, and more, making it a perfect place to spend the day fishing.
With an over 8,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility; full-service rigging loft and gear store; large, wide open, flat landing areas; top-of-the-line equipment for students and experienced jumpers; and extremely high safety standards, Music City Skydiving is perfect for the first-time jumper or someone with thousands of jumps under their belt.
Designed and owned by Ernie Cannon, this par 71, 18-hole course features almost 6,000 yards of Zoysias fairways, bentgrass greens, and water hazards for a round of golf that is just as beautiful as it is stunning.
Enjoy yummy pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and more while you enjoy bowling and games in a family atmosphere at this fun spot.
One of the largest tourist spots in the state, Loretta Lynn’s Ranch caters to the lovers of the outdoors with hundreds of camping spots and hosts several events and concerts on over 6000 acres.