Benton County, Tennessee
Benton County, TN, is best known for its outdoor recreational spaces, making it the perfect stop for travelers on the Tennessee RiverLine. Whether you need a quick bite at the water’s edge, a charming small town and the amenities that come with it, or a historic place to sleep among the stars on a massive wildlife preserve, you can find it in Benton County. You’ll find that the river is central to the identity of the region and most of its attractions, including the world’s capital of freshwater pearl production.
Visit Benton County!
Outdoor Recreation
Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park is a major attraction in Benton County, and like many other stops along the Tennessee RiverLine, is a great place for fishing, hiking, exploring biodiverse ecosystems, learning Civil War history, and more.
Today, nine different hiking trails at the park make up a network of more than 20 miles. From the 6.85-mile Red Rock Overnight Trail to the quick-and-painless .3-mile Polk Creek Wildflower Trail, there are worthwhile routes for any skill or energy level.
Fishing is a favorite activity of visitors, and this stretch of the Tennessee River and through to Kentucky Lake and 2,300-acre Big Sandy Unit Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge (which continues into Henry County), is a popular spot for anglers. Whether you are a seasoned largemouth bass fisherman or you can count your lifetime catches on your hands, this tranquil area is perfect to drop a line.
Creek mouths and embayments are popular spots to rack up catches, with the most common being bluegill and redear sunfish, as well as crappie in the spring. Spring and fall are best for bass fishing, while catfish are snagging the most bait in the summer and fall.
State hunting regulations apply in Big Sandy, where waterfowl and turkey hunting, as well as big and small game trapping are permitted during their respective seasons.
Paddling is, of course, safe and encouraged. The quantity of parks along the Tennessee RiverLine ensures plenty of spots to get out of and put in canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Rental kayaks and paddleboards are available at the park office and at Eva Beach. This sandy beach is open to the public to get some swimming in before the sun sets.
From owls and eagles to a variety of gulls and songbirds, these parks are a temperate birding paradise. Migratory and wintering waterfowl frequent Benton County, and raptors are always patrolling its skies.
Another relaxing outdoor offering comes in the form of Birdsong Drive-In Theater in Camden. Between affordable meals and an eclectic mix of films on the silver screen under the night sky, the drive-in is a great place for late-night unwinding if you’ve had your fill of nature-centric recreation.
Visiting the Past
Benton County land is dripping with history. Some of Tennessee’s oldest evidence of human settlement was excavated from the region in 1940 at the “Eva” site, which revealed invaluable clues about how people lived there in 5,200 B.C. and the following centuries. The site is now under water, but the surrounding area is still home to a few archaeological hotspots. The lands were popular hunting grounds for the Chickasaw people before the United States bought the land from them in 1818 with the Treaty of Tuscaloosa.
Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park and Johnsonville State Historic Park across the river (outside the borders of Benton County) commemorate the 1864 Battle of Johnsonville, wherein Confederate Major General Forrest, then a cavalry commander, attacked the Union supply base on Johnsonville’s shore.
The 23-day battle ended with Federal troops fleeing their fort along the banks, losing millions of dollars worth of ammunition and boats. 150 Northern soldiers were captured, and the opposition reported only two lost soldiers and nine wounded. Much of the former battlefield is submerged in Kentucky Lake, but a cannon remains pointed at the once-Johnsonville shoreline from Pilot’s Knob, where the Union Army lost its fortifications.
Also on the somber side of Benton County history, the Patsy Cline Memorial recognizes the site where the country icon and several other musicians died in a 1963 plane crash.
History buffs should also check out Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park’s Tennessee River Folklife Interpretive Center and Museum for more information on the battle, as well as relics of riverside life over the past few centuries. Rare and well-preserved rivercraft are on exhibit, with a fully-intact 1950s-era jon boat being the highlight of many visitors’ trips.
This is not the only museum in town, however, as Benton County is home to the unique Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum and Farm. Here, freshwater mussels–a very positive indicator of the waterway’s health–are the most dependable source of freshwater pearls on the planet. First cultivated on Kentucky Lake, pearl-producing mussels from Benton County are shipped around the world to help create more freshwater pearls, which are the official state gem of Tennessee.
Stopping for a Bite
Whether you can’t stray far from the water or you are equipped to head into town, Benton County offers plenty of options to meet a hungry traveler’s needs. The river is a central part of the local food scene, and some say Camden has the best fried catfish in the country.
A few restaurants sit right on the water’s edge, including Beaver Dam Restaurant & Marina, which offers classic American fare and a bar with lauded views of the water.
If you are visiting with a car, a drive up Highway 70 gives you quick access to plenty of restaurants in Camden, as well as a highly-rated sushi spot along the way called Sonkei.
Finish Line Diner, Downhome Family Restaurant, and The Daymaker Cafe offer all the American comfort you could ask for from a dining experience. Aden’s 2 Ice Cream & Deli curates a sit-down sandwich experience capped off with stunning frozen desserts.
If you are ready to unleash your inner carnivore, Rocky Ridge Pit offers local-favorite barbecue, while Country & Western Steakhouse & Catfish brings high-quality Southern plates to the table. If your palette is favoring lighter meats, Goodwings cooks up tons of different chicken and fish dishes.
Benton County offers everything you would expect from a stop along the Tennessee RiverLine. Fishing, food, Native American and Civil War history, and a stunning variety of flora and fauna make every visit unique. Steep yourself in its Southern charm on mile 98 of the Tennessee RiverLine.