Spring blossoms along the Natchez Trail Parkway.

A short drive south of Memphis is the 147,000-acre Holly Springs National Forest. This Forest is rich with numerous lakes and excellent fishing and camping facilities.

In northeast Mississippi is the Tombigbee National Forest. This 66,000-acre Forest offers two large developed campgrounds, a horse trail, excellent hunting and many other recreational opportunities.

The nation's only bottomland hardwood National Forest is the Delta. This 59,000-acre area is rich in wildlife. With its system of green tree reservoirs it is especially attractive to migratory waterfowl.

The 178,000-acre Bienville National Forest, in the center of the state, offers a variety of sports, from horseback trails to swimming and hunting. This Forest was named after Jean Baptiste Bienville, the founder of Mobile, Natchez, and New Orleans.

The largest National Forest in the state, with over 500,000 acres, is the De Soto. The De Soto is mostly "pineywoods" covering a gently rolling terrain with stands of longleaf, slash, and loblolly pine. There are winding streams, slow moving most of the year, which form bottomlands that grow excellent hardwood. These are"black-water" streams, tinted by tannic acid from decaying vegetation on the forest floor. This is where the Black Creek flows: famous for its float trip, hiking trail, and wilderness.

The Homochitto National Forest was named after the Homochitto River, meaning "Big Red River," received its name from the Indians. This 189,000-acre forest in southwest Mississippi is rich with deer and turkey.

The National Forests in Mississippi include over 276 miles of hiking trails; more than 230 campsites; 140 picnic sites; eight swimming beaches; boating; and excellent hunting and fishing.

Camping

No permits are needed nor are fees required for camping in undeveloped areas of the Forest except as mentioned above. While many developed sites are open year-long, some are seasonally closed to conserve operating expenses. There are no cabins on the National Forests in Mississippi.

No permit is required for campfires however, you are responsible for your fire or any damage that may result from improperly tending it. Only dead and down wood may be used for campfires.

Most campsites are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Some developed recreation areas offer a portion of their campsites for advanced reservations. Reservations may be made by calling 1-800-283- CAMP. There is a fee for reservations in addition to the nightly camping fee. Persons who also want to reserve picnic pavilions may contact the District Ranger's office nearest the campground. A fee is also required for the reservation.

For more information on camping in Mississippi National Forests, refer to the Bienville, Delta, DeSoto, Holly Springs, and Homochitto National Forest Campground Guides provided by the U.S. National Forest Campground Guide.

Hunting and Fishing

For information about state regulations, contact the nearest office - or the state headquarters office of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, PO Box 451, Jackson, MS 39205, phone 601- 362-92112.

Off-Highway Vehicles

Trails

Wilderness Areas

Recreation - Bienville National Forest

Shockaloe Base Camp II: Also positioned along the Shockaloe Horse Trail, this camp provides another waystop or beginning/ending point for trail users as well as camping and picnicking facilities for all forest visitors. The path of Sherman's march from Vicksburg lies between the two Base Camps. Base Camp II is open year-round.

Marathon Recreation Area: An especially scenic and quiet picnic area and developed campground of the Bienville National Forest. Located on the site of an old Marathon Lumber Company Logging Camp, the area offers one of the most pleasing forest settings anywhere. Open year-round.

Shongelo Recreation Area: A nice developed campground and picnic area open from April 15 to October 15 located in an attractive setting of large shortleaf and loblolly pines interspersed with a variety of hardwood trees.

Bienville Pines Scenic Area and Trail: The scenic area contains 180 acres and is the largest known block of "old-growth" pine timber in Mississippi. Towering loblolly and shortleaf pines, many over 200 years old, continue to dominate the site.

The Bienville Pines Trail meanders through this area, giving hikers the opportunity to observe the plants and animals native to mature pine forests, including the red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered species which nests only in living pines. The main trail is two miles long (shortcuts available) and is complete with interpretive stops and rest areas. Foot travel only.

Harrell Prairie Hill Botanical Area: An island of natural grassland surrounded by forest, Harrell Prairie is the largest example of extinct "Jackson Prairie" on the Bienville National Forest. The characteristically alkaline soils support a plant community that is entirely different from the surrounding woodlands. This 150-acre area is managed strictly to insure the protection and perpetuation of this rare vegetative type. Late spring and summer are the best times to visit the prairie while flowering species are in bloom.

Shockaloe Horse Trail: A National Recreation Trail, 23 miles of travelway, winds through much of the northern half of the Bienville Ranger District. The trail takes the rider through several different terrains and vegetation types. Rides of varying length can be planned as the trail crosses Forest Service roads at several points along its path.

Marathon Trail: About a one-mile loop trail around Marathon Lake. The trail follows the shoreline of the lake, giving visitors opportunities to wind through a woodland of loblolly pine next to a shoreline where glimpses of wading birds and marine life are likely.

Shongelo Trail: A 1/2-mile loop trail around Shongelo Lake. Trail follows the shoreline of the lake through slight hills on the upper end of the lake. Beautiful scenic views of the lake in a woodland of mixed pine and hardwood.

Recreation Sites - De Soto National Forest

Airey Lake Recreation Area: This three acre lake site provides five camping units, picnicking, and bass, bream, white perch, and catfish fishing. It serves as a trail camp for the Tuxachanie National Recreation Hiking Trail and receives a lot of use.

POW Lake Recreation Area: This recreation site lies beside a seven-acre lake at the southern end of the Tuxachanie National Recreation Hiking Trail and serves as a camp for the trail. This is an abandoned World War II German Prisoner of War camp and Navy rifle range; the old ammunition bunkers are still present. The lake provides fishing opportunities for bass, bream, white perch and catfish.

Black Creek Float Trip: A 40-mile float trip that covers one of the most scenic steams in Mississippi - Black Creek. Wide, white sandbars along the shores offer camping, picnicking, or relaxation in the sun. Floating speed is about one mile an hour unless you linger to fish the quiet pools along the way. Floaters should always keep a sharp lookout for submerged logs and snags. The water level of Black Creek is subject to rapid rises due to heavy rainfall and can become quite treacherous. Floaters should keep informed of local weather conditions. Five landings are in operation: Big Creek, Moody's, Janice. Press Creek, and Fairley Bridge.

Ashe Lake: is located just north of Ashe Nursery and consists of an eight-acre lake.

Tuxachanie National Recreation Trails: Tuxachine Trail, a National Recreation Trail, offers the hiker a 22-mile hike through south Mississippi's vast forest. Rows of live oak, mark the trail's entrance on Highway 49. Off-highway parking is provided. The oaks were planted in 1935 by Posey N. Howell, a Dantzler Lumber Company forester, who was locally recognized as the"Father of Mississippi Forestry". From here, the first five miles of the trail follow an old abandoned railroad which once served the sawmill of the Dantzler Lumber Company at Howison. The railroad was used to haul logs and navel stores to the mill or major railhead and to take workers and their families to the "company store." The railroad bed and trestles were built in the early 1900's by Irish Immigrants using hand tools and mule-powered scoops. Remains of the old trestles can still be seen on some of the creek crossings. The hiker encounters a variety of vegetation along the trail. Plains, savannas, and swamps lie between the ridges and have an abundance of pitcher plants and palmettos. wild orchids can occasionally be found. Timber ridges of longleaf and slash pine add to the scenery.

Big Foot Horse Trail and Trail Camp: This horse trail is 14 miles long, moderate in difficulty, open year long. Primitive campsites available. No drinking water or toilets. Two ponds and Tuxachanie Creek provide water for animal use. Horse or foot traffic only. Big Foot Horse Trail consists of four loops ranging in length from five to 11 miles . A ride of almost any desired length can be made by combinations of these loops. Most of the trails run parallel to roads, making it possible to enter the trail at any point. Fishing opportunities are present for bream, bass, white perch, and catfish.

A Trail riders Camp is located at the beginning of the system on Forest Service Road 440. Available at the camp are parking areas, hitching rails, stock pond, and an unloading ramp. The parking areas are constructed so as to facilitate parking of trailers with as little backing as possible.

Bethel ATV Trails: This is a 69-mile trail established for all-terrain vehicles of widths no greater than 48 inches (primarily motorcycles, three-and four-wheelers). The rider will encounter the south Mississippi Coastal Plains vegetative types (longleaf and slash pine, hardwood flats, swamps, pitcher plants, etc.). Two Motorcycle Enduros are held annually that attract riders from various southern states.

Recommendation: It is recommended that no riding occur along the trail during deer hunting season except on Sundays when the Red Creek Management Area is closed.

Black Creek Trail: Discover the hidden beauty of the piney woods in the Gulf Coastal Plain by hiking one of Mississippi's longest and most challenging trails. The Black Creek Trail continues for 40 miles along the Black Creek, from Fairley Bridge Landing to Big Creek Landing. The trail climbs over rolling hills and meanders down through the flat land of the Black Creek flood plain. Archaeological study has shown this area was used by ancient Americans for thousands of years. In addition to being a travel corridor, Black Creek provided an abundant food supply for the former inhabitants of this land. In recent history this river basin was almost totally denuded by lumbering during the late 1890's and early 1900's. The designation as National Forest land in the 1930's, and the practice of total resource management since then has reestablished the natural beauty of this area. Over 90 bridges have been constructed to provide crossing for small streams and ponds. Approximately 10 miles of the trail is located in the Black Creek Wilderness. No drinking water is available along the trail. Only foot travel is permitted on the trail. The Black Creek Trail offers a challenging and exciting hike through a part of the De Soto National Forest.

Recreation - Homochitto National Forest

Turkey Fork Recreation Areas: This is a 240-acre reservoir, and provides the setting for this attractive piney woods recreation area situated approximately 44 miles southeast of Laurel, MS. This area provides a wide range of recreation opportunities including camping, swimming, fishing, picnicking, water skiing, hiking, and bicycling.

Pipes Lake Picinic Area: A beautiful area with picnic tables located on a ridge overlooking the 14 acre lake. An area of hilly terrain in a pine-hardwood setting.

Clear Spring Hiking Trails: This is a 10.5 mile loop trail. The trailhead parking lot is located near the entrance to Clear Springs Recreation Area. The trail can also be accessed conveniently from several locations near Clear Springs Recreation Area for hikers wishing to camp. The trail traverses a wide variety of forest cover type including pine upland sites, pine hardwood side slopes and coves, and hardwood bottoms.

The Longleaf Horse Trail: provides horseback riding enthusiasts an opportunity to ride 23 miles cross country through mixed pine and pine hardwood forests. A long 23-mile day loop and short three mile loop are color marked for easy trail identification and travel. Beginners, as well as experienced riders, will enjoy the variety in terrain, forest types, and flowering vegetation which can be experienced along the way. The trailhead is located at Gator Pond and includes a 10 spur loop for trailer parking.

Pipes Lake Hiking Trails: This is a 2.2-mile scenic hiking trail with the trailhead located at Pipes Lake Picnic Area. This trail goes around Pipes Lake and is a few feet above the water level. Fishermen also use the trail for access to the lake for fishing.

Recreation - Delta National Forest

Recreation - Holly Springs National Forest

Past land use of the area surrounding the lake was common to many parts of Mississippi: settling, clearing; and farming. Most slopes were badly gullied when the Forest Service accepted management responsibility in the 1930's. Today, this and surrounding areas are productive for many uses including outdoor enjoyment.

The creek's name, Chewalla, is derived from the Choctaw Indian name,"chihowa-la", meaning The Supreme Being. Within the area of the present lake, a ceremonial or burial mound was constructed by the Indians. Visitors will find a reconstructed mound near the overlook of the lake's edge. Chewalla Recreation Area offers a beautiful and tranquil setting for enjoyment of the out of doors. Picnickers enjoy a cool and scenic view of this 260 acre lake which is popular with fishermen and swimmers in the warmer months. Campers can choose from 42 campsites (10 having electric hookups), picnic areas, and the beach.

Puskus Lake Recreation Area: Puskus Lake is a 96-acre lake which offers a more primitive camping or picnicking experience than Chewalla. It's a little more remote, but three miles of gravel road should not stand in the way if you wish to discover a really pleasant environment.

Recreation - Tombigbee National Forest

Davis Lake Recreation Area: The 200-acre Davis Lake surrounded by stands of pine and hardwood is the centerpiece of this developed site located within four miles of the Natchez Trace Parkway. Camping, picnicking, swimming, skiing, fishing and boating are the opportunities offered. Recent renovations include land piers to increase fisherman access and utility connections for recreational vehicles. Hunting is available on the National Forest lands adjacent to the area.

Tillatoba Recreation Area: This campground on the bank of 40 acre Tillatoba Lake offers a quiet alternative to larger campgrounds. Here a camper can find camping, fishing, and boating 13 miles north of Grenada, MS.

Whitchdance Horse Trail: This scenic horse trail winds through majestic stands of pines and hardwoods, crosses meandering streams, and offers a changing view of the landscape every few hundred feet of its 15 mile length. Access is provided at the trailhead on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Toilet facilities, hitching posts, and parking are provided there by the National Park Service. The trail is open to hikers and horseback riders only.

Choctaw Lake Hiking Trail: This short, three-mile trail located inside the Choctaw Lake Recreation Area offers the hiker a variety of views. The trail traverses bottomland hardwood stands, groves of large pines, and areas of rapidly glowing young pines and hardwoods. These timber stands occasionally open to reveal views of Choctaw Lake.

Owl Creek Indian Mounts: The site, located near Davis Lake Recreation Area, is part of a mound-village complex that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally there were five mounds around a central plaza. Indians that predated the Chickasaws constructed these mounds during the Mississippian Period (1000 to 1300 A.D).

Natchez Trace Scenic Byway: The 17-mile scenic Byway is a segment of the Natchez Trace Parkway and portions of the Davis Lake Road in northeast Mississippi. This area is rich in history and variety of natural characteristics that offer many opportunities to encourage visitors to stay a day or more in this byway area. One of the great existing attributes of the area is the Natchez Trace Parkway with its well landscaped and maintained corridor. The Davis Lake Road offers a departure from the Parkway to enjoy a night or two camping at Davis Lake Campground and access to the lake for excellent fishing. Indian Mounds near Davis Lake are evidence that Native Americans occupied the area, and the Trace gives evidence of the early settlers persistence to establish a trade route through hostile territory.

Books & Maps

District Ranger Stations