Sometimes beautiful places can be hiding right under our noises. Hidden in plain sight and yet we will rarely stop to take a closer look. The Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee, is one of those such places, and if you were to take a deeper look you can find the beauty inside. One of the best options is to head to the trail leading around Oneal Lake and look for animals.

The Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee, is hiding right in plain site with the every popular I40 running right through it. Those traveling from Nashville to Memphis would likely pass straight through this beautiful spot and might not even notice.
Rachel Pentz/ Alltrails
Find your way off the busy interstate and into the refuge which can be quiet and peaceful. Depending on the day you may be one of only a few people there, and with plenty of space to spread out, even if there were more people it's not likely that you would notice them.
Marietta Haywood/ Alltrails
Hike the Oneal Lake loop trail for a peaceful stroll that will take you a little over 2 miles to complete. The grave path is flat and level allowing for a peaceful walk. You will want to keep your eyes open to spot the many different wildlife options that can be found at Hatchie.
Rachel Pentz/ Alltrails

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For bird lovers, there are plenty of species to see here. You can see wild turkeys, waterfowls, shore birds, Mississippi Kites, and many more. Perhaps the most majestic of these animals is the mighty bald eagle. As you take a quiet hike be sure to look for these lovely birds.
Jerry McFarland/ Flickr
There are platforms along the way to get a little bit of a vantage point. The whole area is typical for wetlands so naturally, it's very flat.
Rachel Pentz/ Alltrails
Native to wetlands are the cypress trees which are always an interesting find in the wild. These iconic trees will cluster and stand high out of the water making for a great picture. When you slow down the pace you are sure to see the intricate details of the refuge that are simply beautiful.
Larry Newsom/ Alltrails

The Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee, is a hidden gem right under our noses that most people don’t see. Take some time to slow down and appreciate the simple things and take a stroll along this lake trail. Not only is it a great way to stretch your legs but also an excellent place to look for wildlife. Be sure to learn more by going to the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge website.

Another hidden gem in the state can be found at this boardwalk trail through the wetlands of the Ghost River.

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Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, TN-76, Stanton, TN 38069, USA