308 acres in West Tennessee are now protected forever by TennGreen Land Conservancy’s Chickasaw Bluff Conservation Easement. (Top: Executive Director Alice Hudson Pell surveys the bluff)
Located just 34 miles north of Memphis, the newly protected Chickasaw Bluff property features a towering 200-foot bluff offering sweeping views of the Mississippi River. This diverse landscape, a mix of forests and fields, is home to a variety of wildlife and shares its southern boundary with The Great River Road National Scenic Byway and Audubon’s Great River Birding Trail.
This conservation easement greatly limits development, protecting an iconic Tennessee viewshed for generations to come.
The Mississippi River has long been an area of focus for TennGreen Land Conservancy. Touching ten states, it’s one of the longest rivers in the world, yet nowhere else is its might, its width, its depth, its unparalleled power and beauty more visible than in Tennessee. Representing one of our state’s greatest treasures on the Mississippi is the 308-acre Chickasaw Bluff property. With its sweeping views and historical significance, this rugged stretch of nature is truly exceptional.
Of the four Chickasaw Bluffs on the Mississippi, this awe-inspiring property is only 34 miles north of Memphis. Its location provides views north and south on the River and a mile and a half across to Morgan Point in Arkansas. The land is a mosaic of forest and agricultural fields with 2,000 feet of River Bluff frontage, and featuring a 200-foot-tall bluff located in a big bend of the Mississippi, it offers one of the best views of the glistening waterway in its magnificent multi-state journey.
‘Together, we make moments like this possible’
“Protecting this extraordinary place is a tremendous honor and a profound relief,” says TennGreen’s Executive Director, Alice Hudson Pell. “For longer than my decade working at TennGreen, countless partners, supporters, and advocates have worked tirelessly to find a way to ensure its future. After years of dedication and collaboration, we finally connected with a remarkable new owner who shares our passion for safeguarding this land and will steward it with care. Thanks to this collective effort, we can all rest easy knowing this natural treasure is protected forever, but none of this would be possible without the generosity of donors who believe in the power of conservation. Together, we make moments like this possible.”
This bluff was also the site of Confederate fortifications along the Mississippi, likely including Fort Wright. The Great River Road National Scenic Byway and Audubon’s Great River Birding Trail serve as the southern boundary of the property, attracting tourists and outdoor enthusiasts from across the country.
TennGreen first took action to protect this West Tennessee destination more than a decade ago, with its purchase of critical land at the historic Randolph Bluff. Since then, hundreds have come from near and far to learn about its interesting past, study its unique nature, and experience the might of the Mississippi like nowhere else.
Chickasaw Bluff Conservation Easement also Protects 10 Acres at Randolph Bluff
In 2024, TennGreen protected the Chickasaw Bluff property and 10 acres of Randolph Bluff with a conservation easement. The conservation easement limits development and ensures the viewshed’s protection forever.
In 2008, with funding from the McKnight Foundation, TennGreen acquired nearly 19 acres of land at Randolph Bluff that was deemed highly at risk of development.
This scenic bluff provides a spectacular view of the Mississippi River, and it conserves an area of historical significance.
Very early on, Randolph Bluff was identified as an important conservation parcel atop the second Chickasaw Bluff. With 1,300 feet of Mississippi River frontage, this property was once part of the bustling town of Randolph, founded in 1823. This location has been an important site for Indigenous peoples, French explorers, riverboat pilots, early pioneers, and Civil War soldiers.
Notable for its unique geology, archaeology, history, ecology, and scenery, Randolph Bluff is one of few Chickasaw Bluff locations with river access. The land is about ten miles south of Fort Pillow State Historic Park.
This project was made possible through the support of Patriot Bank and the persistence of Richard Bess.