Mississippi River Levee Maintenance Road

The Mississippi River Levee Maintenance Road runs along the west bank levee system from President’s Island north through the Port of Memphis industrial corridor. This restricted-access route follows the Army Corps of Engineers maintenance roads that keep the levee system operational, offering unique views of the river channel, towboat traffic, and Memphis skyline from angles most locals never see. The route passes the Ensley Bottoms area and connects to several flood control structures including pump stations that protected Memphis during the historic 1937 and 2011 floods.

This is an easy dirt and gravel route suitable for any high-clearance vehicle, but access requires coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District office for permits. The levee roads are active maintenance zones, so expect heavy equipment and restricted hours during flood season (winter/spring). Best accessed during dry months (July-October) when maintenance activity is minimal. The reward is a unique perspective on America’s most important inland waterway and Memphis’s industrial heritage, plus excellent fishing access points along the way.