Wolf River WMA (and Ghost River SNA)

Directions: From Memphis, take Hwy 57 East to LaGrange and turn south on Main St at the main intersection in town.  Main St provides access to the upstream boat ramp for canoe put-in and access to Beasley Rd which provides access to the Mineral Slough Boardwalk.  Mineral Slough Boardwalk - Lat: 35.02891,  Long: -89.2665.  Bateman Rd intersects Hwy 57 a few miles west of LaGrange and allows for access to the canoe take-out parking lot and the western sides of the area.   Bateman Road - Lat: 35.02391, Long: -89.3505

The WMA is open year-round during daylight hours; please note hunting seasons.  Licensing fees may apply.

TWRA Contact Information: Region 1 Office 1-731-423-5725,  Toll-Free 1-800-372-3928, E-mail the office, TWRA Area Manager: Brandon Gilbert 1-901-878-0855

Description: The Wolf River WMA consists of 4,236 acres, of which 2,400 acres are in the Wolf River floodplain, and 1,667 acres are in open agricultural and pasture land. The forested acreage is >80% bottomland hardwood/swamp forest. The majority of the Wolf River Wildlife Management Area lies along the unchannelized portion of the Wolf River from the Tennessee/Mississippi state line to the Bateman Bridge. Upland areas are characterized by agricultural fields/pastures and scattered stands of upland hardwoods.  

The Ghost River State Natural Area is a 2,220-acre, 14-mile section of the Wolf River from the parking area near La Grange to the Bateman Bridge. Here, the Ghost River section of the Wolf is unchannelized and meanders through bottomland hardwood forests, cypress-tupelo swamps, and open marshes.  Some of the most impressive trees are oaks, which include Cherrybark, Water Willow, and Swamp Chestnut. The low ridges above the river bottoms support Tulip Poplar, beech, and White Oak, with Northern Red Oak infrequently occurring. The natural area also includes significant uplands and sandy hills adjacent to the floodplain. The Ghost River section of the Wolf River received its name from the loss of river current as the water "flows" through open marshes and bald cypress-water tupelo swamps.

A canoe trail has been blazed through the disorienting maze of Virginia Willow, cypress, tupelos, and stunted Pumpkin Ash.  This trail includes a 600-foot boardwalk in the Minnow Slough area.  Neotropical migratory songbirds are common in summer, including Acadian Flycatcher, Prairie Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, and Wood Thrush.