William B. Clark Conservation Area Class II Natural-Scientific State Natural Area

William B. Clark Conservation Area is a 460-acre natural area owned by The Nature Conservancy and located along the Wolf River in Rossville, Fayette County. The natural area protects an un-channelized section of the Wolf River including meanders, sloughs, cypress-water tupelo swamp and bottomland hardwood forest. The river and its sloughs provide excellent habitat for rare and endangered freshwater mussels and other aquatic organisms. A variety of aquatic and terrestrial habitats offer opportunities for observing birds and other wildlife. Examples of un-channelized river and functional bottomland forests have become rare in west Tennessee.

An interpretive boardwalk meanders through bald cypress-water tupelo forest for about 1600 feet. The boardwalk provides access to bald cypress-water tupelo swamp, which have been quickly disappearing from West Tennessee. The boardwalk ends at an open, marshy area were prothonotary warblers, common yellowthroats and other songbirds are commonly observed during the appropriate season. Wood ducks, great blue herons, barred owls, red-shouldered hawks are also commonly heard or seen.

Site Management

Public Access

Open to the Public - Full Access. 

Parking area and boat ramp are located on the east side of State Highway 194 immediately north of the Wolf River Bridge. A short trail leads to the start of the boardwalk.

Parking: Yes
Trail: Yes
Dogs on Leash: Yes
Hunting: No
Fishing: Yes
Camping: No

Directions

From Memphis: take Poplar Ave. (State Hwy. 57, U.S. Hwy. 72) east through Collierville. Follow Hwy. 57 to Rossville and turn left (north) on State Hwy. 194. Follow Hwy. 194 for just less than 1 mile crossing the bridge over the Wolf River; the parking area is on the right (east) side of road. Follow the gravel path to the boardwalk.

Details & Map

• Map to William B. Clark (Georeferenced map)
• Owned by The Nature Conservancy
• Rossville 7.5-minute quadrangle
• Coastal Plain Physiographic Province
• Designated in 2000