River Landscapes and Seasonal Wildlife Watching

The Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge lies at the confluence of the Hatchie and Mississippi Rivers in Lauderdale and Tipton Counties in western Tennessee. It includes the lower stretches of the Hatchie River. In winter, you can look out from an observation tower over flooded farmland and watch waterfowl. You can also paddle a kayak or canoe on Champion Lake or Sunk Lake. This offers two distinct nature experiences: watching winter waterfowl and paddling on either of the lakes. Conditions and restrictions may vary; check them before setting out on the water.

Glenn Springs Lake offers another point of reference. The lake is in Tipton County on Glenn Springs Road, twelve miles northeast of Millington. While the Lower Hatchie is characterized by its river confluence and several nature experiences, Glenn Springs Lake can be identified by its location and the named road.

Forest, Wetland and Trees

The Tipton County Museum, Veteran's Memorial, and Nature Center is located in Tipton County’s largest urban park. The grounds include a 20-acre wildlife refuge, an approximately 800-meter nature trail through a forest, and a wetland study area. The museum hosts rotating exhibits featuring artifacts from Tipton County’s cultural heritage, while the nature center showcases the unique ecosystem of West Tennessee. The forest trail, wetland and exhibits thus offer different perspectives on the county’s natural and cultural history.

At Drummonds Park Arboretum, a path winds through a 30-acre park past more than 35 labeled trees. The arboretum was established in 2015. The number of labeled trees may change; their labels offer a distinctive perspective on the path, letting you explore the park through individual trees rather than just taking in its overall area.

Community and Cultural History in Covington

Cobb-Parr Memorial Park offers organized recreational opportunities for the residents of Covington and Tipton County. The Tipton County Bar-B-Q Festival is held there every year. If you plan to attend the festival, check the current event dates. The park’s history began in 1954, when the Covington Jaycees bought farmland from J. J. Whitley to develop a community park. Its founding vision and organized recreational offerings are thus part of the park’s shared history.

Covington’s architecture also offers a glimpse into the past. The South Main Street Historic District is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C. The basis for this is locally significant examples of late 19th- and early 20th-century architecture in Covington and Tipton County. To see the old homes and brick pathways for yourself, you can drive along Main Street and Maple Street in the historic district. The view across an entire neighborhood can be compared with the Ruffin Theater, which features Art Deco style and is associated with William F. Ruffin. Together, they showcase architectural history and culture at the scale of both a street and a single theater.

Getting Around the County

U.S. Highway 51 runs north to south through the center of Covington and through Tipton County. Nature, community recreation and architectural history offer different ways to get to know Tipton according to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Atoka, Gibson, Giles County, Lawrence County, Sullivan, Jefferson County, Unicoi County, Hardin County

View the main travel overview: Tennessee.