Long before there were interstates or even cars, rivers were the highways of America. Not only did people travel and transport goods by water, they also often made their living on or adjacent to the country’s rivers, and communities grew up along those waterways. Such was the case for Mousetail Landing in Perry County.
Mousetail Landing State Park, one of the more interestingly named parks in the state, sits on the east bank of the Tennessee River and is home to more than 1,200 acres of outdoor recreation and pieces of the area’s history. The story goes that the source of the area’s name originated during the Civil War when one of the local tanneries that shipped tanned goods to other river communities such as Louisville and Paducah, Kentucky; St. Louis, Missouri; and Evansville, Indiana, caught fire. Innumerable mice that had been attracted by the cowhides fled toward the river.
“One of my goals is to tell the story of Mousetail Landing itself, before channelization of the river,” says Park Manager Daniel Burgess, who has been with the park since 2014 and manager since 2021. “The river was a way of life for most people who lived in this area.”
Though Burgess says there is more to accomplish toward his goal, one item on the to-do list has been completed — the Historical Landing Trail. This trail, as you might expect from the name, goes out to the historic site of Mousetail Landing. It’s 0.55 mile one way, so 1.1 miles for a there-and-back hike.
Another piece of history that lies within the park is a century. Some are marked simply with fieldstones with no text, as are many older cemeteries.
What to do
Water-based activities are, of course, popular at Mousetail Landing. If you have a canoe or kayak, you might want to spend your time exploring the park’s water trails.
If fishing or pleasure boats are more your speed, you can put in at the park’s boat launch ramp. Or you can utilize the courtesy pier or enjoy bank fishing along the river. Species you might be able to reel in are crappie, bluegill, bass, catfish and redear sunfish.
The swimming beach on the Spring Creek embayment of the river is open all year, though there are no lifeguards on duty during any season.
Several miles of hiking trails invite visitors to enjoy calming forest walks or the more challenging Eagle Point Trail, an 8-mile overnight trail that has between 800 and 1,000 feet of elevation change throughout the hike. Two primitive overnight shelters — each with eight bunk beds (bring your own sleeping bag to use on them), a wood-burning stove, a picnic table and a fire ring — provide a place to rest before continuing your hike. You can also use tents at these shelter sites. There are no restroom facilities at these shelters, however.
Burgess says that Shelter 2 is particularly popular because it sits on a bluff that affords stunning views of the river, sunsets and the Busseltown unit of the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge across the river.
Speaking of sunsets, Burgess also says one of the most popular spots in the park overall is Sunset Point, which has a porch-type swing where you can relax and watch the sunset over the river.
Regarding the park’s trails, please note that if you see reference to two mountain bike trails online or on any older maps, those trails are closed because of heavy weather damage that is too costly to repair.
Special events
Burgess gives credit to the Friends of Mousetail Landing State Park for hosting a lot of the special events in the park such as the annual Easter egg hunt. One event that is still managed by the park staff is the Junior Fishing Rodeo, to be held June 8 this year. The park partners with area businesses and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for the event that offers prizes for the most fish caught, the biggest fish and even the smallest fish, which can be good for a few chuckles.
Worth the trip
Though the park is about a 40-to 45-minute drive from Interstate 40, Burgess says the trip is well worth it.
“I believe the park is a hidden jewel,” he says. “If people come once, they return for years to come.”
Mousetail Landing State Park
For more information, visit tnstateparks.com/parks/mousetail-landing or call the park office at 731-847-0841.
