Kyker Bottoms Refuge
Directions and Description
Site Directions: From Knoxville west via I-40, take I-140 south to US 129, then take US 129 south past the Knoxville Airport. A few miles past the Knoxville Airport, US 129 merges with US 411. Continue south on US 129/411 to a stoplight where the highways split, turn left, staying on US 129 South for about 7.5 miles to the intersection with Garland Road on the right. Turn right (east) onto Garland Road. The refuge property starts on the right in about 0.8 miles. Lat: 35.600720°N Long: -84.114217°W
From the east on I-40, exit at US 129-Alcoa Highway and stay on US 129 towards the Knoxville Airport. Follow the directions above.
From the south on I-75: Take exit #60 (Madisonville, TN 68). Go right at the end of the ramp, onto TN 68. Follow it to US 411 and go north on US 411.
After crossing over Tellico Lake (which is worth a brief stop in winter for gulls and waterfowl), take a right on TN 72. At the fork in the road, go right onto Kyker Road to check the 2 gravel parking lots (described below), or go left onto Big Gully Road and turn into the paved parking lot (described below) after 0.3 miles.
The WMA is open year-round during daylight hours, except that the area is closed to all entry from 15th November through the last day of February; please note hunting seasons. License fees may apply.
TWRA Contact Information: Region 4 office: 1-423-587-7037, Toll-Free: 1-800-332-0900, Email the office, Matt Jellicorse 1-423-587-7037
Description: Kyker Bottoms Refuge is 525 acres of waterfowl and upland refuge. Attractions include 135 acres of wetland, 513 acres of early successional plant communities and oak savannas, over 110 bird species, small game youth hunts, bird banding, educational research, and a quail demonstration area. Kyker Bottoms Refuge is part of The Foothills Conservation Opportunity Area. For the birdwatcher, Kyker is one of the best places in East Tennessee and especially the greater Knoxville area from fall through spring for a large variety of hawks, sparrows, and, depending on water conditions, waterfowl and shorebirds.
Regulations & Dates
Closed to all forms of use and trespass from Nov. 15. 2026, - the last day of Feb. 2027 except in designated observation areas. Nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required for small game hunting as posted. Wild hogs may be taken on any deer and turkey hunt with hunting devices legal for those hunts.
Big Game and Small Game - Same as statewide seasons, except as noted. All small game hunting is Youth/Adult only. Youths must be accompanied by a licensed adult, age 21 years or older, who may also hunt. Blaze orange/pink is required by small game hunters during big game muzzleloader and gun hunts.
Deer (Archery) - Sept. 26 – Oct. 30, Nov. 2 – Nov. 14, 2026. Bag limit same as statewide.
Deer (Gun - Young Sportsman) - Oct. 31 – Nov. 1, 2026, bag limit same as statewide season.
Turkey is Youth/Adult only March 27-28, 2027 and weekends of the statewide season open Friday-Sunday only. Youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult, age 21 years or older, who may also hunt. Same as the statewide bag limit, male bearded turkey only.
Rabbit, Quail - Nov. 1-14, 2026. Quail bag limit two (2) per day, rabbit and quail hunting closes at 4 p.m.
Raccoon - Sept. 4-5 and 11-12, 2026.
Dog Training - Rabbit and Quail - Oct. 1 - Nov. 14, 2026. Closes at 4 p.m. each day.
Photos
