Sight guide · Memphis · United States
Visiting Shelby Farms Park
One of the largest urban parks in the United States, Shelby Farms covers about 1,800 hectares of lakes, forest and meadows, with a small bison herd, kayak and paddleboat rentals, playgrounds and many kilometres of trails.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ceptember, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Shelby Farms Park is a park in East Memphis, Memphis. Allow 2–4 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Park
- Area
- East Memphis
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, outdoors, kids and active
- Best months
- April and September–October
About Shelby Farms Park
One of the largest urban parks in the United States, Shelby Farms covers about 1,800 hectares of lakes, forest and meadows, with a small bison herd, kayak and paddleboat rentals, playgrounds and many kilometres of trails. The Shelby Farms Greenline connects it to Midtown by bike.
Tip: Rent a bike or a paddleboat at Patriot Lake, and look for the bison in the pasture near the main road.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–4 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: East Memphis, leafy suburbs with museums, gardens and the city's largest park.
Best time to visit Shelby Farms Park
Shelby Farms Park is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- October: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- April: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- September: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Memphis has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Shelby Farms Park is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Graceland and National Civil Rights Museum.
- No. 16 of the 18 sights in our Memphis things-to-do list.
- Listed in free things to do in Memphis.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Memphis.
- A family favourite in Memphis with kids.
Near Shelby Farms Park
Also in East Memphis, so you can walk between them:
- Memphis Botanic Garden — 2 hours, low cost
- Dixon Gallery and Gardens — 1.5–2 hours, low cost
If you like Shelby Farms Park
- The Peabody Ducks — Downtown and Beale Street, 30–45 minutes
- Big River Crossing — Riverfront, 1–1.5 hours
- Tom Lee Park — Riverfront, 1 hour
- Memphis Zoo — Midtown and Overton Square, 3–4 hours
Staying near Shelby Farms Park
Stay in East Memphis ($$) to walk here: leafy suburbs with museums, gardens and the city's largest park. All areas to stay in Memphis.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Shelby Farms Park?
Plan 2–4 hours. With Memphis Botanic Garden nearby, it fits a half-day in East Memphis.
+Is Shelby Farms Park free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Shelby Farms Park?
April and September–October for the most comfortable weather. Rent a bike or a paddleboat at Patriot Lake, and look for the bison in the pasture near the main road.
+Do I need to book Shelby Farms Park in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Shelby Farms Park good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Memphis. Memphis is good for families who like music and the outdoors, with the zoo, the Peabody Ducks, Tom Lee Park's playgrounds, Shelby Farms and the Children's Museum.