Come to the River
GREENBELT
Greenbelt Park
Open daily: 6am to 8pm (Mar.-Oct.) | 6am to 6pm (Nov.-Feb.)
More than a mile long, Greenbelt Park is a natural flood plain that changes with the seasons. Lower Greenbelt Park is usually under water from late winter to early spring. When accessible, Lower Greenbelt Park is a great place for picnicking or running and walking along unpaved trails. Bikers and strollers can find a paved pathway in Upper Greenbelt Park on the east side of the park. The Greenbelt Landing project, which will handle cruise ships and river boats, will be built just north of the existing boat ramp.
MUD ISLAND
Mud Island Park
Open daily: 7am to 7pm (Mar.-Oct.) | 6am to 5pm (Nov.-Feb.)
Pedestrian Walkbridge: Open daily, 7am to 7pm (Mar.-Oct.) | 10am to 3pm (Nov.-Feb.)
Visitors can take in memorable views of the Mississippi River and the Memphis skyline at Mud Island Park and during the half-mile walk across the Skybridge to enter the park. Revel in the serenity. Take Instagram-worthy pictures with the 50-foot MEMPHIS sign. Walk a fascinating scale model of the Mississippi River – just remember, there’s no swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. Launch a boat from the south ramp, past the marina. And if you’d like to dip your feet into the Mississippi River, for a time you can walk the path to the sandy area on the south tip of Mud Island.
Mud Island is home to Mahogany River Terrace restaurant which offers upscale Southern cuisine with a hint of Creole flair with stunning river views. Parking is available in Mud Island parking lot accessible by the north entrance. In addition, Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time, a unique 33,000 square feet, 18 room-immersive adventure, is under construction.
RIVERFRONT
Fourth Bluff Park
Open dawn to dusk
At the edge of downtown Memphis, Fourth Bluff Park overlooks River Garden and offers a paved walking trail, shade, picnic tables, movable furniture and expansive views of the Hernando de Soto bridge and Wolf River Harbor.
River Garden
Open dawn to dusk
The beautiful, one acre award-winning River Garden features native meadow plantings, bench swings, hammock swings, an all-ages treehouse with adult-sized nests and a dining and events pavilion.
Tom Lee Park
Open daily: 5am to 10pm (Mar.-Oct.) | 6am to 8pm (Nov.-Feb.)
Hanover Welcome Center & Courts: Open daily, 8am to 8pm (Mar.-Oct.) | 9am - 7pm (Nov.-Feb.)
Hi Neighbor Café: Mon. - Fri., 4pm - 7:30pm | Sat. - Sun., 11:30am - 7:30pm
Tom Lee Park is Memphis’s signature riverfront park. The 31-acre natural riverfront landscape is imbued with the spirit and legacy of Tom Lee, who could not swim but saved 32 people from drowning when their steamboat capsized on the river. The park has scenic pathways, a misting fountain, more than 1,000 native trees, a stunning playground, sports and fitness areas, public art, an outdoor classroom and more. It has received 10 national and international awards for design and its emphasis on equity.
The Memphis Flyway
Coming soon
The Memphis Flyway, which broke ground in June 2024, will open in 2026. The one-of-a-kind attraction will be the only free and ADA-accessible observation deck on the Mississippi River. It is expected to draw more than one million new visitors a year to the riverfront. It is located at the south end of Tom Lee Park and will be easily visible from two interstates, I-55 and I-40.
BIG RIVER
Ashburn-Coppock Park
Open daily: 6am to 8pm (Mar.-Oct.) | 6am to 6pm (Nov.-Feb.)
This quaint 2-acre pocket of green has a beautiful, elevated north-facing view of the Memphis skyline and the riverfront and some of the oldest trees in Memphis. It connects to the riverwalk along the bluff in downtown Memphis. It has a small parking lot. It is named in honor of Major General Thomas Q. Ashburn, who revived river transportation by organizing the Federal Barge Lines, and for Paul Coppock, a historian and Commercial Appeal reporter who led the fight to keep the site from being sold in 1953.
Big River Crossing
Open daily: 6am to 1Opm
Big River Crossing is managed by the Big River Park Conservancy.
At nearly a mile in length, Big River Crossing is the longest public pedestrian and cyclist bridge across the Mississippi and the longest active rail/bike/pedestrian bridge in the U.S. One of the top things to do in Memphis, Big River Crossing features breathtaking views of the Memphis skyline, Mississippi River, and Arkansas floodplains where 1,500 acres of floodplain are being restored at Ducks Unlimited Park at Big River Crossing.
ChickasAw Heritage Park
Open daily: 6am to 8pm (Mar.-Oct.) | 6am to 6pm (Nov.-Feb.)
Formerly the fortress of Chickasaw Chief Chisac, the park contains two ceremonial mounds built in the 1500s by Paleo-Indians. During the Civil War, the mounds were hollowed out and used for gun emplacements and munitions storage. This 17-acre park lets you really kick back in its large, grassy lawn or get into a game in its ballfield and basketball court. The park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
E.H. Crump Park
Open dawn to dusk
This small pocket park offers up-close views of the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge and wide views across the Mississippi River. It is named for Memphis’ political boss who ruled over local politics for 45 years.
Martyrs Park
Open daily: 6am to 8pm (Mar.-Oct.) | 6am to 6pm (Nov.-Feb.)
Named in honor of the martyrs of the 1878 yellow fever epidemic, the centerpiece of this park with spectacular river views is the 1971 sculpture by Harris Sorrelle. The plaque reads: “In grateful memory of the sacrifice of the heroes and heroines of Memphis, in the 1870’s, who gave their lives serving the victims of yellow fever. Thousands died and thousands fled during several epidemics. The last one, in 1879, devastated the city, leaving few survivors. The acts of love and courage, far beyond the call of duty, merited the gratitude and admiration of the citizens of Memphis, and of the world, as history revealed the story. ‘Greater love than this no one has, that one lay down his life for his friends.’”
MLK
Martin luther king Jr. Riverside park
Open daily - 6am to 8pm (Summer) | 6am to 6pm (Winter)
Martin Luther King Jr. Riverside Park is managed by the City of Memphis Parks Division.
Martin Luther King Jr. Riverside Park’s almost 300 acres includes a marina, playground, lake, ball field, two outdoor tennis courts, 1.2-mile paved walking trail, restrooms, benches and three rental pavilions with picnic tables, grills and benches. The park is notable for its old growth forest and for being one of Memphis’ original grand parks. It was opened in 1903. It is named in honor of the Nobel Peace Prize winner and civil rights leader whose live ended in Memphis.