20 Mississippi State Parks

The state of blues music, magnolias and southern hospitality, with so much going on in Mississippi you may be forgiven for not knowing much about the state parks. There are so many incredible state parks in Mississippi and lots of nature to discover, from creeks to rivers and lakes. These parks have plenty of history and natural beauty to admire.

Mississippi State Parks

20 State Parks in Mississippi

1- Buccaneer State Park

This coastal beach state park is in southwestern Mississippi.

This beautiful natural setting is the perfect place to experience Mississippi’s unique landscapes.

From the moss-draped oaks, to the Gulf of Mexico beachfront and the marshlands, Buccaneer State Park is an interesting place.

The area where the park now sits was first documented as being used by Jean Lafitte in the 1700s which he and his people smuggled and pirated in the Gulf waters.

The area was also known as being a military base for Andrew Jackson during the Battle of New Orleans.

There’s plenty to do at the park including the Pirate’s Alley Nature Trail, the playground, Jackson’s Ridge Disc Golf, the Castaway Cove pool, a waterpark and the Pirate’s Alley Nature Trail.

You can stay overnight at the campsite where there are 206 spots including grassy sites and concrete ones.

Buccaneer State Park is at 1150 S Beach Blvd, Waveland, MS 39576.

2- Tishomingo State Park

Tishomingo State Park is close to the Natchez Trace Parkway in northeastern Mississippi.

The park actually sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

This is a great park for scenic nature and history.

Archeologists discovered that Paleo Indians were living in the area as far back as 7000 B.C.

The park is actually named after Chief Tishomingo of the Chickasaw Nation. 

There’s plenty to do at this park.

There’s a decent sized swimming pool, disc golf, a playground area with a multi-purpose ballfield and a volleyball court and plenty of fun to be had on Haynes Lake.

The park also has seven hiking trails of varying lengths, the longest of which is three miles.

For overnight stays there’s a campsite, RV camping, six cabins, a cottage and group facilities.

Tishomingo State Park is at 105 Co Rd 90, Tishomingo, MS 38873.

3- Shepard State Park

Shepard State Park is in Singing River country.

It was here that it is believed that members of the Pascagoula Indian nation held hands and walked into the river rather than be taken captive by a hostile Indian tribe.

The death chant they sang as they entered the water is what gives the area the nickname “Singing River”. 

The park is home to eight miles of bike and nature trails, an 18-hole disc golf course, an archery range, a dog park, picnic areas, a recreation field, an outdoor BBQ area and an RV park and campsite. 

Shepard State Park is at 1034 Graveline Rd, Gautier, MS 39553.

4- Tombigbee State Park

You will find this state park is east of Tupelo in northeastern Mississippi.

The park is around a 3 hours 15 minutes’ drive north of Jackson.

Nearby Tupelo was where Elvis was born!

There’s plenty of picnic spots in the park, including picnic pavilions.

There’s a children’s playground, volleyball courts, disc golf, nature trail and 11 miles of mountain bike trails.

You can also fish on the lake as well. 

There’s a campsite with 20 sites for RV’s, a primitive camping area, seven cabins and a cottage.

If you want to explore nearby Tupelo and this state park then you might want to utilize the campground. 

Tombigbee State Park is at 264 Cabin Dr, Tupelo, MS 38804.

5- Holmes County State Park

Holmes County State Park is in central Mississippi just under hours’ drive north of Jackson.

The park has an abundance of hardwood trees which attract a number of bird species and other wildlife too.

There are two lakes at the park, the 45-acre English Lake and the 14-acre Odum Lake, stocked with catfish, bream and bass.

You can fish on both lakes if you purchase a permit.

You can camp at the park at RV and tented sites.

It is also possible to enjoy “monthly camping” if you plan on visiting a lot of other places in the area and want to stay in one place for a while.

Holmes County State Park is at 5369 State Park Rd, Durant, MS 39063.

6- Clarkco State Park

Head to eastern Mississippi and you will find Clarkco State Park, an 815-acre park with woodlands and Clarkco Lake.

The park is around 1 hour 40 minutes’ drive east of Jackson.

This place is great because it’s still unspoiled and even at busy times isn’t heaving with people.

There’s plenty to do at the park including a playground, playing fields, tennis courts, disc golf and the lake.

The lake has a boat launch and water skiing is popular, you can also fish on the lake.

For the little ones there’s a splash pad which is especially refreshing on hot Mississippi summer days.

For overnight stays there is not just a campsite but also cabins and cottages too.

Clarkco State Park is at 386 Clark County Rd, Quitman, MS 39355.

7- JP Coleman State Park

In the northeast corner of Mississippi, you will find JP Coleman State Park on the Tennessee River which runs on the border between Mississippi and Alabama.

The park sits up high overlooking the Tennessee River, so this park is certainly one with excellent views.

If you are a water sports enthusiast then this is the park for you.

People head to the park to enjoy sailing, waterskiing, swimming and fishing.

The Tennessee River runs into Pickwick Lake which stocks smallmouth bass.

Other facilities at the park include a swimming pool, miniature golf, picnic pavilions and a playground.

With all the facilities and fun, you may consider staying overnight in the park’s cabins, cottages, motel, townhouses or the campsite.

JP Coleman State Park is at 613 Co Rd 321, Iuka, MS 38852. 

8- Clark Creek State Park

Also known as the Clark Creek Nature Area, this 700-acre public park is in the southwest corner of Mississippi close to the Mississippi River and the border with Louisiana.

You will definitely want to bring your hiking boots to explore this state park.

The park has nearly 50 waterfalls, ranging in size from 10 to 30 feet.

The park is filled with hardwood and pine forest as well as beech trees and magnolias.

Nature is plentiful at this state park.

The federally endangered Carolina magnolia vine can be found in the park as well as fish like the Southern redbelly face.

Lose yourself among the trees, discover the secrets of the park and be sure to bring your camera!

Clark Creek State Park is at 366 Fort Adams Pond Rd, Woodville, MS 39669.

9- Great River Road State Park

The Great River Road State Park is next to the Mississippi-Arkansas border on the Mississippi River.

This park is named after the Great River Road which is a scenic parkway which starts at a small Canadian creek and ends at the Gulf of Mexico.

The park has a 25-acre oxbow lake called Perry Martin with a boat launch on this part of the lake.

Fishing is also popular here and anglers can look to catch bass, catfish and white perch on the lake.

One of the best things to do in the park is head up to the five-foot overlook tower.

From here you can enjoy panoramic views of the Mississippi River.

If you head there around lunch time you should plan on bringing a picnic – it’s a lovely place to stop and eat.

Great River Road State Park is at 100 St Park Rd, Rosedale, MS 38769. 

10- Natchez State Park

Natchez State Park is around 20 minutes’ drive outside of Natchez (the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River) in the western part of the state.

Though it’s known as Natchez State Park its full name is Bob M. Dearing Natchez State Park.

Robert Dearing was a Mississippi Senator, businessman and educator.

Before the civil war Natchez was home to more than half of the country’s millionaires who chose to build their mansions there. 

The park’s lake is great for freshwater fishing and the largest bass in the state was caught at this lake back in 1992.

There’s also a boat launch, disc golf, nature trails and a playground for kids.

Natchez State Park is at 230 Wickcliff Rd, Natchez, MS 39120.

11- Roosevelt State Park

If you are staying in Jackson this is a great state park to visit just a 35 minute drive east of the city. 

Visitors to the park can enjoy panoramic views of the Bienville National Forest.

One of the best times of year to visit the park is autumn because the colours are striking.

This park has a great balance of outdoor activities and indoor ones too.

There’s a visitor centre, games room, performing arts and media centre and meeting room.

How about Roosevelt State Park for a work conference? More energetic activities in the park include swimming at the pool, disc golf, tennis courts, water slide, boating, water skiing and fishing.

Roosevelt State Park is at 2149 MS-13, Morton, MS 39117.

12- John W Kyle State Park

John W Kyle State Park is at the southern end of Sardis Reservoir and in front of Lower Lake in northern Mississippi.

The park is an hour’s drive south of Memphis, Tennessee.

There’s a large campground with 200 developed camping sites, 20 cabins and two golf villas.

Mallard Pointe Golf Course is an 18-hole championship golf course that is top rated.

There’s a 10 acre grass tee space, a six target green range, a practice fairway bunker, putting green and chipping green.

Essentially, it’s a golfer’s paradise!

John W Kyle State Park is at 4235 State Park Rd, Sardis, MS 38666.

13- Lake Lowndes State Park

Lake Lowndes State Park is in the east of the state on the Alabama border.

The 150-acre Lake Lowndes is the park’s main draw.

You will find anglers enjoying the water and trying their luck at catching some big fish.

For more fun in the park there’s disc golf, a playground, playing fields, tennis courts and even a gym.

While looking at the lake chances are you will see people water skiing and having fun on the water.

There are 50-pitch sites at the campground as well as a wooded tent camping area, cabins, and cottages.

Lake Lowndes State Park is at 3319 Lake Lowndes Rd, Columbus, MS 39702.

14- Lake Lincoln State Park

Lake Lincoln State Park is just 5.6 miles outside of Wesson and just under an hours’ drive south of Jackson.

If you are searching for somewhere to go near Jackson on a scorching hot summer day then Lake Lincoln State Park is the place to go.

The park sits in the shade of hardwood trees and the lake provides sanctuary from the heat.

There’s a swimming beach, volleyball courts, disc golf and nature trails to enjoy at the park.

There is also a campground that offers 71 RV campsites, one cabin and three cottages.

Lake Lincoln State Park is at 2573 Sunset Rd NE, Wesson, MS 39191.

15- LeFleur’s Bluff State Park

LeFleur’s Bluff State Park is on Mayes Lake, an oxbow lake of the Pearl River.

You will find this park in Jackson, so if you are visiting the city be sure to check it out.

The park was named after French-Canadian explorer Louis LeFleur who was responsible for establishing a trading post on the Pearl River in the 1700s.

There’s nothing better than exploring a big city and then finding a beautiful slice of nature among the apartment buildings and office blocks.

LeFleur’s Bluff is just the place.

There’s a nine-hole golf course and a driving range.

You can wander around the lake and bring a picnic so you can enjoy it next to the water.

There’s a small campground within walking distance of the lake where there are showers and water.

LeFleur’s Bluff State Park is at 315 Lakeland Terrace, Jackson, MS 39216.

16- Leroy Percy State Park

Check out Leroy Percy State Park and you will be visiting the oldest of Mississippi’s state parks.

The park is in the western part of the state close to the meandering Mississippi River and the Arkansas border.

As well as the park space there is also a wildlife management area.

There is only one other such park like this in the state.

The wildlife management area has encouraged animals like deer, squirrel, ducks, turkeys and dove beckons to the area.

Other things to do at the park include disc golf, a playground, freshwater fishing and boating.

There is also a small campground at the park.

There are 16 developed camping sites, a wooded tented area, cabin units and a group camping area.

Leroy Percy State Park is at 1400-1402 MS-12, Hollandale, MS 38748.

17- Golden Memorial State Park

Golden Memorial State Park is between Jackson and Meridian.

The park is 1 hour 10 minutes’ drive from Jackson and 1 hour drive from Meridian.

At this state park you can visit a one-room school from the Civil War era.

It’s interesting to visit and see just how far education has come in the U.S.

This park has a 15-acre lake that is stocked with bass and bream all year round.

If you enjoy nature then be sure to take the Loblolly Trail where you can follow the path to see the second-largest loblolly pine tree in Mississippi!

Golden Memorial State Park is at 2104 Damascus Rd, Walnut Grove, MS 39189.

18- Paul B Johnson State Park

This Mississippi State Park is on the western shores of Geiger Lake just 25 minutes’ drive outside of Hattiesburg in the southern part of the state.

It is also just a 20-minute drive from The University of Southern Mississippi so you often find students enjoy a break from their studies.

Aside from the lake there are other facilities like the game room, picnic pavilion, playground, splash pad and disc golf.

The lake provides the oppourtunity for visitors to fish, boat, water ski and swim.

If you want to make the most of your time around Hattiesburg then staying overnight at their campground is a good option.

There are 25 primitive tent sites, 125 RV campsites, 16 cabins, 3 cottages and a family group camp.

If you visit in October keep an eye out for the dates of their Fall festival.

From fishing rodeos to games and costume contests there’s always something fun to enjoy.

Paul B Johnson State Park is at 319 Geiger Lake Rd, Hattiesburg, MS 39401.

19- Hugh White State Park

Hugh White State Park is on the eastern shores of Grenada Lake just outside Coffeeville in central northern Mississippi.

Although it’s another lake state park there is plenty to do.

As many of these state parks have some of the same features and amenities, it’s easy to choose one near to other attractions you will visit.

Of course, you can enjoy lake activities like boating and fishing but there is also a golf course at Hugh White State Park.

If you love golf and nature then this is the park for you.

It’s a beautiful course that winds through forest and requires you to be very accurate.

There are also 30 picnic areas that have wonderful views of Grenada Lake.

Each of the picnic sites have barbecue grills and tables.

Hugh White State Park is at 3170 State Park Road, Grenada, MS 38902.

20- Percy Quin State Park

The 1000-acre Percy Quin State Park is next to Lake Tangipahoa.

The park is 1 hour 20 minutes’ drive south of Jackson and 1 hour 40 minutes’ drive from New Orleans across the border in Louisiana.

The park is filled with loblolly pine trees, magnolias, rolling hills and seasonal flowers.

In the 1930’s the Civilian Conservation Corps cleared and constructed the park so now it’s a good blend of the old and the new.

The 490-acre Lake Tangipahoa has a boat launch and marina.

You will find leisure boats, water skiers, jet skiers and anglers on the lake.

Fishing enthusiasts can expect to catch Florida bass, bluegill, white crappie and redear sunfish as the lake is well stocked.

Percy Quin State Park is at 2036 Percy Quin Dr, McComb, MS 39648.