This summer, make sure to add Seven Island State Birding Park to your summer plans.
Seven Island State Birding Park is located off I-40 in Kodak, Tennessee. About half an hour from downtown Knoxville, visiting the park is an easy day outing.
The park was established in 2014. Before it was a park, it was home to the Seven Island Community nestled along the French Broad River going back to the 1900s. The community was primarily a farming community. There are several historical structures that are still standing which you can visit in the park: the Blue Bird Barn, Green House, and Maple Leaf Barns. You can also learn about the farming and community life in Tennessee during this time along the river. Research is ongoing along the river including studies of two of the Native American tribes, Cherokee and Yuchi.
Seven Island State Birding Park is a birding paradise.
It is unique in contrast to other Tennessee State Parks because it is located along migratory birds’ paths. It has a mixture of grasslands, wetlands, and forests, creating a variety of habitats for birds, wildlife, and flora and fauna. There are over 220 bird species that have been recorded at the park. When you visit, be prepared to see a variety of waterfowl, vultures, hawks, finches, kingfishers, and owls. Bald eagles are also among the many species that call the park home. Even the American white pelican has been spotted in the park!
The best times to go birding are the morning or late afternoon before dusk. Make sure to print the park’s bird species checklist from their website here and make it a fun scavenger hunt activity. Other wildlife that have been spotted in the park are otters, muskrats, deer, and American beavers. The best places to view wildlife are at Wayne’s Pond and Schumpert’s Pond. From June through September, visitors can enjoy beautiful wildflowers throughout the park. Park rangers host guided plant walks through the park.
This summer, Seven Island State Birding Park is hosting a variety of activities for the entire family to enjoy!
Kids can enjoy the Junior Ranger program on various dates, a kids’ butterfly program, nature story time, birding with a biologist, and kayaking 101. Family activities range from night hikes, learning about bird banding, and building bird houses. Mark your calendars for the Park’s National Trails Day Hike on June 6th and the Tennessee Watershed Mussel Fest on June 27th. 
A few things to keep in mind when visiting the park:
- Cell service is available at the park, but wi-fi is not available.
- Please use caution when doing any water activities in the French Broad River. The River can have strong currents. Using a flotation device is greatly suggested.
- Seven Island State Birding Park has worked very hard to make sure there are accessible activities for visitors of all abilities. The Bobwhite trail and accessible kayak launch meet ADA requirements. All terrain wheelchairs are available upon advance request for park visitors with mobility impairments.
