Mississippi State Parks

After being devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it took many years for Buccaneer State Park to complete restoration efforts. The park, however, has since bounced back and is once again fully functional. It is located in the picturesque beaches of Waveland, Buccaneer, and is interspersed with giant oak trees, marshlands, and even the Gulf of Mexico.

Visitors to the park can enjoy camping, hiking, beaches, sunbathing, water activities, biking, disc golf, a waterpark, and even pavillions to host celebrations in.

There is a fee to enter the park, and various activities have separate fees so it is best to contact the park directly either by telephone or through their website.

Address: 1150 South Beach Boulevard, Waveland, MS 39576, Phone: 228-467-3822

Considered by locals to be one of the Magnolia State’s most alluring outdoor parks, the Clark Creek State Park is comprised of more than 700 acres, contains approximately 50 waterfalls, and is home to a large collection of wildlife.

The waterfalls within the park range in size, with some reaching heights of more than 30 feet.

In addition to diverse waterfalls, there are many uncommon trees found within park boundaries, including the Southern sugar maple, umbrella tree, witch-hazel, and even pyramid magnolia trees.

The area offers exceptional opportunities for bird and other wildlife watching, but given that the park is fairly remote, it is recommended to do proper research beforehand to ensure a safe trip.

Address: 366 Fort Adams Road, Woodville, MS 39669, Phone: 601-888-6040

Originally founded in 1938, the Clarkco State Park is situated just south of the Meridian, down near the border between Mississippi and Alabama.

It is comprised of roughly 815 acres of easily explorable woodlands, and offers guests the opportunity to camp, rent cabins, and partake in various water sports during their visit.

Visits to the park require payment of a fee, all of which goes back into maintaining the park and paying essential staff.

Guests who want a more active experience when visiting Clarkco State Park may be happy to know there are playgrounds, playing fields, tennis courts, disc golf courses, and even a small waterpark to provide entertainment.

Address: 386 Clarkco Road, Quitman, MS 39355, Phone: 601-776-6651

Romantic Mississippi State Parks

The De Soto National Forest is dominated by gently rolling hills that are most often covered in pine trees and gently flowing streams.

This national forest is frequented by both locals and tourists, and offers many activities to inspire even the most adamant city dweller. Year round activities include hiking, bicycle trail (and off trail) riding, camping, canoeing, ATV adventures, horseback exploration, hunting, fishing, and even camping.

There are over 60 miles of trails to explore, offering hikers a large variety of difficulty and length for their expeditions.

The area is prone to flooding and storms, however, so it is recommended to contact the park directly before planning a visit.

Address: Brooklyn, MS 39425, Phone: 601-528-6160

The George P Cossar State Park offers a combination of natural and manmade attractions to bring delight to a wide variety of visitors.

Located on the shores of the pristine Enid Lake, this state park is the perfect gateway for hunters to access the nearby, and wildlife game abundant, Holly Springs National Forest for open hunting opportunities.

For those who wish to have a more peaceful and comfortable visit, George P Cossar State Park has 15 air-conditioned units for guests to rent during their stay.

There are also six duplex cabins for rent, three stand-alone options for those seeking privacy, and 76 developed camping sites for those who don’t mind bringing their own gear.

Address: 165 County Road 170, Oakland, MS 38948, Phone: 662-623-7356

The Gulf Islands National Seashore is a water lover’s paradise, offering 160 miles of coastline on the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in both Mississippi and Florida.

This coastline is more than just beaches, however, and includes barrier islands, an abundance of maritime forests, a collection of historic forts, various bayous, and diverse marine habitats.

Wildlife watchers can easily spend day after day seeking out new species to observe, and water sports lovers can easily spend weeks canoeing, kayaking, and swimming in all the different water conditions present.

There are always various activities happening year round, so be sure to check out the events calendar provided by the park systems for the most up to date information.

Address: 3500 Park Rd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, Phone: 228-230-4100

Mississippi State Parks for Families

Beloved by locals and tourists alike, the Holly Springs National Forest is situated in north-central Mississippi and is comprised primarily of pristine small lakes that are tucked away in forest groves.

These conditions, the combination of forests in conjunction with many small lakes, heavily encourages the natural reproduction of wildlife, making the Holly Springs National Forest a hunters and photographers paradise.

In addition to providing hunting and photographing opportunities, this national forest also actively works towards restoring the lands to their natural conditions by promoting indigenous ecosystems within the 155,000 acres of national forest land.

Address: 6052 Hwy 15, Ackerman, Mississippi 39735, Phone: 662-236-6550

Given the ideal location of being situated on a rocky bluff that overlooks the Tennessee River, the J. P. Coleman State Park is the dream location for water sports lovers of all varieties.

Visitors to the park can expect everything from sailing to swimming opportunities, fishing, canoeing, and even skiing in the colder months.

Having access to various lakes and rivers increase the chances of catching different types of fish, and for guests who wish to extend their stay and enjoy the park more there are plenty of lodging options.

The park contains 69 RV campsites for those bringing their own rig, 9 primitive camp sites for those bringing tents, and even 20 cabins for those that want to bring as little gear as possible.

Address: 613 CR 321, Luka, MS 38852, Phone: 662-423-6515

The John W Kyle State Park is located approximately 25 miles away from the historic University of Mississippi campus, which makes it a prime choice for visitors to spend the weekend when heading to Ole Miss for a football weekend.

There are 200 developed campsites, many of which are RV friendly, as well as 20 different cabins and two independent golf villas for guests to stay in.

For entertainment options, the park is home to Mallard Pointe Golf Course, fishing and boating activities on Sardis Lake, and plenty of large community spaces to host luncheon meetings and banquets alike.

Address: 4235 State Park Road, Sardis, MS 38666, Phone: 662-487-1345

The Lake Lincoln State Park is located near enough to highways and major thoroughways that access is easy from many different directions, while simultaneously being large enough that once guests are in the park they can escape into nature as they desire.

The park is comprised primarily of large hardwood trees, and offers a collection of options when it comes to staying the night, from rustic campsites to fully equipped cottages.

Activities in Lake Lincoln State Park include a beach with swimming access, hiking trails, a picnic shelter that is perfect for spending hot days under, playgrounds, volleyball courts, and even a disc golf course.

Address: 2573 Sunset Road NE, Wesson, MS 39191, Phone: 601-643-9044