FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] Directions to Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge

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Directions to Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge from Knoxville via I-75
1. Take exit 49 from I-75 onto TN 30 going west to Decatur. Go 9.6
miles.
2. In Decatur turn left on TN 58. Go 12.7 miles to the cossing of the
Hiwassee RIver.  Go another 1.9 miles to the turnoff for Blythe Ferry
Lane/Road.
3. Turn Right on Blythe Ferry Lane. Stay on the primary road. Usually
marked by a single or double
 yellow center line. At about 1  mile, the road takes a sharp left and
another smaller road angles to the right, Stay to the left on Blythe
Ferry Road (don't think there was a sign at that intersection). At one
point the road becomes rough --- don't worry, that is ok. After 6 miles
on Blythe Ferry, there is an intersection with a dirt/gravel road
(Priddy Rd).
4. Turn right on Priddy Road. This is the road to Hiwassee Wildlife 
Refuge. At 3/10th of a mile, a road forks to the left, take the right.
in another 5/10th mile, you will come to the viewing gazebo.

To get to Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge from Cleveland (from the south on
I-75)
1. Take Exit 25 from 1-75 to TN 60 west toward Georgetown. After about 8
or 9 miles you will cross TN 58 at Georgetown. Stay on TN 60 to
Birchwood. Go 5 miles.
2. Pass the Birchwood Elementary School. Go 1.8 miles to Shadden Rd
3. Turn right on Shadden Road. Go 0.4 miles to Blythe Ferry Rd.
4. Turn right on Blythe Ferry Rd.  Go about 1/2 mile to Priddy Rd.
5. Turn left on Priddy Road. Go 0.8 mile to viewing gazebo.

Note: There aren't too many places to eat after leaving the interstate.
I saw some BBQ stands, but most seemed to be closed. There is a gas
station/convenience station and some kind of restaurant at the
intersection of TN 58 and TN 60.  About the same in Decatur.  If you go
during the Crane Festival, there will be food, and a lot of activities
at the Birchwood Elememtary School. They will also run a bus to ferry
people to the wildlife refuge. Because of the crowds, it would be
advisable to use that instead of driving to avoid congestion at the
viewing area. There is a porta-potty at the viewing gazebo.

I understand that there are several restaurants in Dayton which is north
of Birchwood on TN 60 (across the Tennesse River). One was mentioned
that had a good view of the river.

Good Luck.  I saw many (thousands of Sandhill Cranes, and 4 Bald Eagles
(1 mature, the others juveniles) and a hawk. The eagles and hawk were
flying and landing in the treeline that is north of the viewing platform
behind the fields across the cove. There were also ducks (mallards) and
Canada Geese. I was only able to stay about an hour. The times I have
been there there has been a good breeze, so it would be good to take a
jacket, hat and gloves.


Bill Grigsby
Kingsport, TN

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