Hiwassee Refuge
Directions and Description
Site Directions: On I-75, take exit number 25 in Cleveland, Tennessee, travel north on Highway 60 through the town of Birchwood, go approximately 1.7 miles north of Birchwood, and turn right on Shadden Road, go one mile and turn right on Blythe Ferry Road, take the next left on Priddy Lane and follow signs. Hiwassee Observation Platform - Lat-Long: 35.399978, -84.989953
The refuge is closed from November 15 to the last day in February; however the Observation Platform is open year-round., note hunting seasons. General access is free, however, hunting, fishing, or recreational License fees may apply.
TWRA Contact Information: Region 3 Office: 1-931-484-9571, Toll-Free: 1-833-402-4698, E-mail the office, Area Manager: Jason Jackson 1-423-614-3018
The Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge is 6,000 acres (2,500 acres of land and 3,500 acres of water [Hiwassee River]) located on Chickamauga Lake at the confluence of the Hiwassee River with the Tennessee River. Beginning at Hwy 60 (over the Tennessee River, about river mile 499.5), the refuge stretches to around river mile 505 at Armstrong Bend and from the mouth of the Hiwassee River upstream to Hwy 58 at Agency Creek (about river mile 7.4). Included is Hiwassee Island (400 acres).
Of the land area, approximately 30% (750 acres) is agricultural land that is cropped. Crops grown include corn, wheat, soybeans, milo, varieties of millet, and buckwheat. Most of the refuge is farmed by TWRA personnel. The remaining 70% of the land area (1,750 acres) is a wooded mix, mainly of pine and hardwood forest. A wildlife Observation Platform is open year-round to visitors.
Hiwassee Refuge has the largest winter flock of Sandhill Cranes in the southeast United States outside of Florida. From the Observation Platform, visitors can view Sandhill Cranes and an occasional endangered Whooping Crane from November through February. Peak numbers of cranes occur in January. Waterfowl numbers are good for the area of the state with birds visible on the lake below the Observation Platform and on the river in the distance (often only really seen as flybys).
Mallard, Gadwall, and Northern Shoveler are the most common ducks, but Canvasback and ring-necked Duck, among others, are found. Bonaparte's Gull and Ring-billed Gull are common in winter. Great Blue Heron numbers are substantial in winter. Bald Eagle numbers in winter rank among the top five in the state with many often seen from the observation area in winter.
A couple of pairs of Bald Eagles nest in Hiwassee Refuge. Golden Eagles are rare but seen annually at Hiwassee Refuge. Osprey is common to abundant from March through September.
Regulations & Dates
The refuge is closed to all forms of use and trespass from Nov. 15 through the last day of Feb., except the wildlife viewing area is open year-round. During refuge closure, public entry and fishing are permitted while on the main river channel passing through the refuge.
All seasons - Closed during the refuge closure date unless otherwise indicated.
Bobcat - may be taken on any scheduled big game or small game hunt that coincides with the statewide bobcat season with hunting implements legal for that scheduled hunt.
Beaver and Coyotes - may be taken on any hunt with weapons legal for that hunt.
Groundhog, Fox, and Skunk - Season open during any scheduled small game hunt.
Small Game - Nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is required for hunting.
Small game hunting and dog training - Closed at sunset on the day before and during scheduled big game hunts unless a special exception is indicated.
Dove - Sept. 1 & 19, 2024. Noon to sunset only. No access is permitted by boat.
Dove (Youth) - Sept. 14, 2024. Noon to sunset only. No access is permitted by boat.
Squirrel - Same as statewide seasons except as noted.
Rabbit - Nov. 4 - 14, 2024. Bag limit of three (3) per day.
Opossum, Raccoon - Sept. 3 - Nov. 13, 2024.. Hunting will be limited to Tuesday and Wednesday nights only.
Canada Goose - Sept. 1-20, 2024. No goose hunters are permitted on the refuge from two (2) hours after shooting hours have ended until 4 a.m. the following day.
Wood Duck, Teal - Same as the Sept. Wood Duck/Teal season. No duck hunters are permitted on the refuge from two (2) hours after shooting hours have ended until 4 a.m. the following day.
Deer (Shotgun – Muzzleloader)(Young Sportsman) - One (1) hunt: Sept. 27 - 29, 2024. Hunter quota 200. Two (2) deer, no more than one (1) antlered (bonus deer).
Deer (Archery) - One (1) hunt: Sept. 27 - 29., 2024. Hunter quota 200. Two (2) deer no more than one (1) antlered, one (1) male turkey (bonus deer).
Deer (Archery) - One (1) hunt: Oct. 11 - 19, 2024. Two (2) deer, no more than one (1) antlered, one (1) male turkey (bonus deer).
Deer (Muzzleloader) - One (1) hunt: Oct. 25 - 27, 2024. Hunter quota 150. Two (2) deer, no more than one (1) antlered (bonus deer).
Deer (Muzzleloader) - One (1) hunt: Nov.1 - 3, 2024. Hunter quota 150. Two (2) deer, no more than one (1) antlered (bonus deer).
Turkey - Same as the statewide spring turkey season.
Dog training - Sept. 1, 2024 - March 15, 2025, daylight hours only. Closed to training during refuge closure dates.
Retriever Dog Field Trials - Pre-approved by Area Manager at least 30 days in advance of trial dates.
Camping - During deer hunts only at the check station.
