lake isom national wildlife refuge

Very cool place to visit. Lots of animals to see. Bald eagles, red tail hawks, many differents types of snakes, and there is alot to learn about the history of Reel Foot Lake.

If you want to get really isolated in your bird watching, go to the Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge. It is in an extremely isolated part of northwestern Tennessee, along the Lake-Obion County border. The refuge has a 600-acre lake, along with open fields and woodlands. It is 1,800 acres in all. Visitor facilities are at a bare minimum. There is an open-air observation tower, along with a map below it, and free literature on the kinds of birds found there. Historically, Lake Isom is the oldest national refuge in Tennessee, being established in 1938, three years ahead of its larger neighbor on the north side of Reelfoot Lake.This refuge is not for the drive-by tourist. You will need good binoculars, even a high-powered telescope would help, if the geese are in town. The refuge roads are closed normally when the geese show up. The observation tower is a good platform, but you'll still need to strain to see them. And if it is cold and windy, you'll need to bundle up plenty.If you are lucky enough, you will see the wintertime Canada geese flocks either coming in from, or going out to the nearby Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge a few miles to the north. That refuge has better facilities, and a visitors center. Directions: the best way is to go on Greasy Lane (yes, that's the name) straight south from Highway 21. Greasy Lane is located on the south side of Tenn. 21, just a bit west of the Reelfoot Lake spillway. This road takes you directly to the tower area. Coming in from Hwy. 78 to the west requires a confusing series of turns for anyone not familiar with the area. It would be longer, but more sure, to make the trip to Tiptonville, and turn east on Hwy. 21 to reach the needed road.