The Clarks River Interpretive Nature Trail has been established by JPF to allow the community the opportunity to canoe, kayak and fish along this beautiful stream system. This trail provides the public the unique opportunity to view this stream in its natural state with the unique flora and fauna that call this stream home, including swamp rabbits, alligator gar, alligator snapping turtles and the western mud snake. The Clarks River is unique in that it is one of the last unchannelized rivers in Western Kentucky, and the only tributary of the Tennessee River outside the Tennessee Lock and Dam system.

The Clarks River also flows through the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, established to provide essential nesting and migration habtiat for migratory birds and to protect some of the last remaining wetland forests in Western Kentucky. This trail showcases some of these wetland forests,
the bottomland hardwood forests, a very important ecosystem that offer flood protection to our local communitites: one acre can store 1.5 million
gallons of floodwater! In addition, these forests improve water quality by filtering and flushing nutrients, processing organic wastes, and reducing sediment before it reaches open water.

Currently, there are three permanent access points on the Clarks River in McCracken County that are open to the public: Clarks River Road, Sheehan Bridge Road and Said Road, two of which were constructed by the Foundation (Sheehan Brdige Road and Said Road). Parking is available at each location. We a fourth permanent access site on the Clarks River at Sharpe Elva Road in Marshall County on property owned by the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge. Our fifth access site is in the developing stages.  The site is located off Milliken Lane on the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge.  If you would like to donate towards this project, please contact our office at 270-832-2557 or email us. 

If you need assistance accessing the Clarks River at any of these locations, please contact the Jackson Purchase Foundation at 270-832-2557 or email us.
 

Each fall on the second Saturday of September, JPF hosts our annual Clarks River Family Float event, bringing together the local community to enjoy this amazing resource. A limited number of canoes and kayaks are available, and a safety squad is available for beginners. It is a great opportunity to get out and float for individuals and families of all abilities!