A paddler’s dream, the Wolf River runs for more than 100 miles from northern Mississippi to just north of Memphis. The entire stretch is incredibly scenic, but the eight-mile leg from LaGrange to the Bateman Road Bridge, dubbed the Ghost River Section, represents one of the last unsullied cypress swamps in Tennessee. This unchanneled part of the river widens to allow water to flow into bottomlands, swamps, and open marshes, making it appear as if the current has disappeared—hence the mysterious moniker. It’s easy to get disoriented canoeing around the trees without a current to guide you, but trail markers help keep paddlers on track and a single sign points out a nice little tributary where you can stop for a lunch break. The eerie atmosphere, complete with towering cypresses shrouded in moss and ivy, will make you feel like you’re miles from civilization, but know that river guides and canoe rentals are available throughout the area to make the trip easy and fun.
Canoeing the Ghost River in Moscow, Tennessee.
Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
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Ghost River Section
A paddler’s dream, the Wolf River runs for more than 100 miles from northern Mississippi to just north of Memphis. The entire stretch is incredibly scenic, but the eight-mile leg from LaGrange to the Bateman Road Bridge, dubbed the Ghost River Section, represents one of the last unsullied cypress swamps in Tennessee. This unchanneled part of the river widens to allow water to flow into bottomlands, swamps, and open marshes, making it appear as if the current has disappeared—hence the mysterious moniker. It’s easy to get disoriented canoeing around the trees without a current to guide you, but trail markers help keep paddlers on track and a single sign points out a nice little tributary where you can stop for a lunch break. The eerie atmosphere, complete with towering cypresses shrouded in moss and ivy, will make you feel like you’re miles from civilization, but know that river guides and canoe rentals are available throughout the area to make the trip easy and fun.
