Wildlife Preserves and Parks

Panda

Naturalists enjoy the opportunity to observe undisturbed wildlife in several preserves and parks, and Memphis has a superb zoo. Hunting, fishing, and boating on area lakes are popular pastimes. The cultural crown jewel of the Mid-South, Memphis Botanic Garden has more than 96 acres of sweeping vistas.

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Bordering on the mighty Mississippi River, two-thirds of this 13,467-acre park are bottomland hardwood forests of large oak, cypress and tupelo. The park also contains two lakes and many miles of hiking trails.

Memphis Botanic Garden

If you're looking for that perfect place to stop and smell the roses, perhaps it's time you stopped by the Memphis Botanic Garden. It's your chance to experience the quiet tranquility of one of the Mid-South's finest horticultural attractions.

Memphis Zoo

The Memphis Zoo is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 different species. Created in April 1906, the zoo has been a major tenant of Overton Park for more than 100 years. In 2008, the Memphis Zoo was ranked "#1 Zoo in the U.S." by TripAdvisor.com.

Shelby Farms Park

The 4,500 acres of Shelby Farms Park is home to more than 20 bodies of water, several paved, multi-use trails and primitive trails, the Lucius Burch Natural Area, the Agricenter International Expo Center, Showplace Arena, Farmer’s Market, Catch’em Lake, a disc golf course, a kite-flying field and model airplane field, a playground, horse stables, paddle boats, pavilions, an amphitheater, a Visitor Center, a herd of American Bison, a dog park, and more.