Local Events & Attractions




Annual West TN Fiddler's
Jamboree and Fiddlin' Contest

April is for Blue Grass Music fans! Stay an extra day to enjoy the Annual West TN Fiddler's Jamboree and Fiddlin' Contest the third Saturday in April in Holladay, TN. This IS a big deal among Fiddlers. Book your hotel early it fills quickly. The date of the Jamboree is April 16, 2011.

Patsy Cline Memorial - Visit the historic site where country music stars Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and pilot Randy Hughes tragically lost their lives in a plane crash March 5, 1963. A stone monument, located 2.8 miles north of Camden on Mt. Carmel Rd stands in their honor. (731) 584-8395

Tennessee River Folklife Center - Located in Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. The Center features a collection of audio and video recordings depicting the life, ways and customs of folks on the Tennessee River. From the I-40 Nathan Bedford Forrest exit, go north to Camden and follow the signs to the park. (731) 584-6536

Birdsong Resort, Marina, and Lakeside, RV, and Tent Campground / Fresh Water Pearl Museum, Farm, and Tour - Visitors can rent a cabin, and a pontoon boat, swim in the pool, picnic under the pavillion, visit the fresh water pearl museum and mini theater, purchase fresh water pearl jewelry, tour the pearl farm, and much more. Call 731-584-7880 or 1-800-225-7469 for reservations.

Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park - A sanctuary for people and wildlife alike, this lovely area is located on the western bank of Kentucky Lake and features seven cabins opened in May of 2001, Happy Hollow camping area with 38 sites and a primitive camping area with 15 available sites. In addition, the park offers a group lodge, fishing, boating and skiing, two picnicking areas, and pavilions for group use. Trails perfect for hiking wind through the park, providing excellent views of wildlife, water and woods. Trail maps are available at the park office. Located 25 miles north of I-40. From I-40 take exit 126, go north to Camden and follow the signs to the park. Information, (731) 584-6356.

Birdsong Trail Ride - Spend your vacation on horseback seeing what nature has to offer from a view in the saddle. Journey through the valleys, hills and rippling creeks of Benton County during a week at Birdsong Trail Ride. Stalls, meals, showers, campsites and much more provided. Take I-40 to Camden-Parsons Exit 126, turn north on Highway 641, approx. 8 miles, turn right on Shiloh Road, 1 mile, turn on Little Birdsong Road. (731) 584-9206 for information or reservations.

Pilot Knob - The highest point in West Tennessee, featuring a scenic overlook area, Pilot Knob overlooks the scene of one of the most distinctive battles in the Civil War. General Nathan Bedford Forrest and his troops defeated a fleet of Union gunboats on the Tennessee River. It is one of a very few occasions in recorded history that a land based military force ever defeated a naval force. Find out all about this famous battle at a memorial site atop Pilot Knob, located inside scenic Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park on beautiful Kentucky Lake.

Duck River Scenic Overlook - Developed in the fall of 2003, this breathtaking new Benton County attraction located on the Duck River Wildlife Refuge, offers a spectacular view of the Tennessee River Valley from high above. Located just a few miles north of exit 133 on Interstate 40 in Tennessee, this overlook provides also visitors with a wonderful vantage point for viewing wildlife such as, deer, migratory ducks, geese and songbirds, squirrels, rabbits and much more. Visitors to the overlook may even get a glimpse of the eagles that nest in the area.

Natchez Trace State Park - This picturesque park offers something for everyone. Anglers have four lakes from which to choose: 58-acre Cub Lake, 690-acre Pin Oak Lake, 99-acre Maple Creek Lake, and 167 acre Browns Creek Lake contain an abundance of crappie, bluegill, bass and catfish. The cabins at Natchez Trace are nestled in the trees near Cub Lake, where row boats and pedal boats are available for rent. For the hiking enthusiast, the park features many miles of trails which ramble through forest and fields. Family camping is also popular at Natchez Trace and the park's three well-equipped campgrounds contain a total of 143 sites. A park store offers a wide variety of grocery items, gas, ice and camping supplies. The main entrance to the park is I-40, Exit 116, Natchez Trace State Park exit. For further information call (731) 968-3742.

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge - A haven for many species of animals, including bald eagles, this refuge offers unparalleled wildlife viewing year-round. Seasonal quota hunts for whitetail deer, and non-quota hunts for turkey, raccoon and squirrel are popular. The Big Sandy Unit is located in the northern part of Benton County. the Duck River Unit covers an area along the southern shore of the Tennessee River in Benton County as well as an area across the river in Humphreys County. Call (731) 642-2091 or e-mail: r4rw_tn.tns@mail.fws.gov