Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
Do you know how many state parks are in Mississippi? You might be surprised to learn that there are 25 State Parks, 8 State Wildlife Management Areas, 6 National Forests, and 9 National Wildlife Refuges in Mississippi, and each one is worth of a visit! This article is going to put the spotlight on 15 of the best state parks in Mississippi including which ones to go camping, which ones to go hiking, and more.
Even with 25 state parks, some are more popular than others. Here are some of the most popular state parks in Mississippi that cover all the bases. They’ve got awesome amenities, great campsites, hiking trails, and so much more. They may be a little more crowded than other parks, but there’s a reason why!
1. Buccaneer State Park
Buccaneer State Park, 1150 S Beach Blvd, Waveland, MS 39576, USA
Wow Factor: Located on the beach, plus it even has its own water park.
Need To Know: Buccaneer Bay, the water park, is only open during the summer months
Probably the most popular state park in Mississippi, you’ll never run out of things to do at Buccaneer State Park. Just a few of the things to do at Buccaneer State Park include a nature trail, a playground, a disc golf course, and a dog park, but the most popular attraction here is Buccaneer Bay, the state park’s own waterpark! The 4.5-acre waterpark overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and features a wave pool, multiple waterslides, a kiddie pool, and plenty of concession areas.
2. Percy E Quin State Park
Percy E Quin State Park, 2036 Percy Quin Dr, McComb, MS 39648, USA
Wow Factor: Established in the 1930s, it’s one of the oldest state parks in Mississippi.
Need To Know: Campsites, cabins, and glamping tents are available to rent.
Surrounding the beautiful Lake Tangipahoa, this beautiful 1,700-acre state park is a favorite for locals and travelers alike. Hiking and fishing are some of the most popular things to do at Percy Quin State Park, and there are also plenty of rigorous bike trails for mountain bikers to enjoy. During the fall and spring, the trails become even more spectacular with seasonal blooms! There’s also an 18-hole golf course, providing endless hours to try and improve your putting game.
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3. LeFleur’s Bluff State Park
LeFleur's Bluff State Park Mayes Lake, 3315 Lakeland Terrace, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
Wow Factor: There are life-sized replicas of dinosaurs here!
Need To Know: The Mississippi Children’s Museum and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science are located within the park.
Tucked away in Jackson, Mississippi, LeFleur’s Bluff State Park isn’t your ordinary state park. Boasting 300 acres of woodlands plus a 50-acre lake, there are plenty of things to do at LeFleur’s Bluff State Park. After you’ve explored the trails, the golf course, the driving range, and the playground head over to the park’s two museums: the Mississippi Children’s Museum and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.
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Best State Parks In Mississippi To Camp
Mississippi’s State Parks are great places to spend a few nights camping. Whether you prefer to rent a cabin or spend a night sleeping under the stars, our state parks are the place to do it! Here are some of the best state parks in Mississippi to camp:
4. Shepard State Park
Shepard State Park, 1034 Graveline Rd, Gautier, MS 39553, USA
Wow Factor: There is both an archery range and a disc golf course at this state park.
Need To Know: There are 28 developed campsites.
Shepard State Park is often overlooked in favor of more popular state parks, but the 395-acre park is the perfect place to get away from it all and go camping. After you’ve set up your site, check out some of the many things to do at Shepard State Park. The archery range is very unique, but you may be more interested in the disc golf course, or launching your boat into the water to do a little fishing! There’s also a dog park for your four-legged camping buddy to enjoy.
5. Wall Doxey State Park
Wall Doxey State Park, 3946 MS-7, Holly Springs, MS 38635, USA
Wow Factor: This is one of the most well-preserved parks in Mississippi.
Need To Know: It’s only 25 minutes from Ole Miss, which is perfect for quick weekend getaways!
Wall Doxey State Park clocks in at an impressive 750 acres, and it even has a 60-acre spring-fed lake to boot. Things to do at Wall Doxey State Park typically involve the lake, including boating, fishing, water sports, and swimming, but this state park has one of my favorite hiking trails, so be sure to bring your sneakers along. The 2.5-mile loop is fairly easy and also leads you through some spectacular sights and seasonal flowers. Camping options include both primitive and developed campsites, cabins, and glamping Tentrr sites.
6. Clarkco State Park
Clarkco State Park, 386 Clark County Rd, Quitman, MS 39355, USA
Wow Factor: This park is one of the best places for kayaking and water sports.
Need To Know: As of September 2023, many of the cabins are closed and are under renovation.
Sitting pretty near the Mississippi-Alabama state line, Clarkco State Park sits on 815 acres of beautiful natural scenery. Conveniently located just south of Meridian, camping and water sports are two of the most popular things to do at Clarkco State Park. Take your pick from 43 developed campsites, 7 primitive campsites, 20 vacation cabins, or mix it up with a hybrid Tentrr campsite. The picnic sites and picnic pavilions are the perfect spot to enjoy a scenic lunch, and the tennis courts and disc golf course provide endless hours of competitive entertainment.
Best State Parks In Mississippi To RV
There are many ways to camp, and RV life is perhaps my favorite. If you’re considering this style of camping for yourself but haven’t yet made the splurge on your own RV, consider renting an RV to test it out! RVShare offers several different types of RVs to try out and when you combine them with some of the best state parks in Mississippi to RV, you can’t lose.
7. Paul B. Johnson State Park
Paul B Johnson State Park, 319 Geiger Lake Rd, Hattiesburg, MS 39401, USA
Wow Factor: This park is home to the largest splash pad in Mississippi!
Need To Know: About 1/3 of their RV campsites are currently closed and under construction.
It’s hard to believe this little slice of paradise sits within Hattiesburg city limits, but it does! Surround yourself with ancient oak trees, majestic long-leaf and loblolly pines, and dreamy dogwoods when you spend a night camping at this beautiful state park. The 225-acre freshwater lake is one of the most popular things to do at Paul B. Johnson State Park, but I’ll bet the youngest of the bunch will have a blast playing on the largest splash pad in Mississippi! There’s also a visitor center, a game room, multiple playgrounds, a splash pad, and plenty of nature trails to enjoy.
Wow Factor: Perfect location to explore Mississippi’s Delta Region.
Need To Know: This is the oldest state park in Mississippi!
Leroy Percey State Park is a bit of a hidden gem, which is perfect for campers who want to be secluded. Nestled in the heart of the Mississippi Delta Region, wildlife viewing is one of the most popular things to do at Leroy Percy State Park. If you’re visiting during the warmer months, you stand a very good chance at seeing some of the many alligators living in Alligator Lake. There are two observation towers in the park so you can get a great view from a safe distance.
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9. Roosevelt State Park
Roosevelt State Park, 2149 MS-13, Morton, MS 39117, USA
Wow Factor: This is the perfect state park for summer fun! There’s a lake, a waterslide, and a pool to splash around.
Need To Know: If you enjoy this state park in the summer, come back in the fall to do a little leaf peeping!
I think Roosevelt State Park is dreamy year-round, but the summer months are definitely when you want to visit. It’s located fairly equal to both Meridian and Jackson which is great for quick getaways, and its beauty will amaze you. The hiking trails through the Bienville National Forest are perfect for all skill levels, and the 150-acre lake is just perfect for cooling down. Shadow Lake is one of the best things to do at Roosevelt State Park, and it’s a favorite of fishermen, boaters, and water skiers alike.
Best State Parks In Mississippi For Hiking
Mississippi’s state parks are perfect places to go hiking. Whether you’re a beginner hiker or an old pro, these are some of the best state parks in Mississippi for hiking:
10. Tishomingo State Park
Tishomingo State Park, 105 Co Rd 90, Tishomingo, MS 38873, USA
Need To Know: This is one of the most popular state parks in Mississippi, so expect crowds during peak times, especially on weekends.
Resting at the foothill of the Appalachian Mountains, Tishomingo State Park is one of the most popular state parks in Mississippi. Named after a leader of the Chickasaw nation, both history and nature lovers will thoroughly enjoy this state park. Because of its rolling hills and beautiful scenery, hiking is one of the most popular things to do at Tishomingo State Park. There are 13 miles of nature trails to explore, plus a unique opportunity to go rock climbing. Just make sure you get a permit at the park office first.
11. Tombigbee Lake State Park
Tombigbee Lake State Park, 264 Cabin Dr, Tupelo, MS 38804, USA
Wow Factor: This park is beautiful year-round, but especially scenic during the fall when the leaves change.
Need To Know: Book accommodations for this state park early. The cabins book up quickly!
Tupelo may be the birthplace of Elvis Presley, but it’s also the home of a very beautiful state park. The 11-mile mountain bike trail and the nature trails are some of the best things to do at Tombigbee State Park, but the volleyball courts, disc golf, and fishing on Lee Lake are also popular pastimes. During the summer, this state park has one of the best swimming holes for keeping cool on a hot summer day. If you want to extend your stay, there are 20 developed campsites, a primitive camping area, several cabins, and one cottage available to rent.
12. Lake Lincoln State Park
Lake Lincoln State Park, 2573 Sunset Rd NE, Wesson, MS 39191, USA
Wow Factor: A swimming beach, disc golf course, volleyball courts, and playground
Need To Know: There is a non-denominational Sunday worship every weekend during the summer
While the lake draws plenty of visitors to its shores, the hiking trail is actually one of my favorite things to do at Lake Lincoln State Park. The trail is about 2.5 miles long and a good portion of it runs parallel to the lake, giving you splendid views with every step. After hiking, consider heading over to the swimming beach to cool down.
Little-Known State Parks In Mississippi
Sometimes, finding the lesser-known state parks feels like you have the whole place to yourself. These state parks may not be the most popular, but they’re fabulous spots to kick back and relax, especially if you want to escape the crowds.
13. J P Coleman State Park
J P Coleman State Park, 613 Co Rd 321, Iuka, MS 38852, USA
Wow Factor: There’s a motel within this state park!
Need To Know: The 47,500-acre freshwater lake can be busy during the summer months.
Sitting pretty on a rocky bluff that overlooks the Tennessee River, this park often gets overlooked for its nearby neighbor, Tishomingo, but there are plenty of things to do at J.P. Coleman State Park. Water sports are definitely the preferred summertime pastime, with both fishermen and water skiers alike enjoying the river and Pickwick Lake. There are several options when it comes to spending the night at J.P. Coleman State Park, too. Not only does the park offer cabins, cottages, and campsites, but there are also 16 motel rooms and 3 townhouses available to rent. And all of them offer beautiful lake views!
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14. Hugh White State Park
Hugh White State Park, 3170 State Park Road, Grenada, MS 38902, USA
Need To Know: The Dogwoods Pro Shop takes tee time reservations up to two weeks in advance.
Fishing is one of the most popular things to do at Hugh White State Park. Grenada Lake is a favorite fishing hole for crappie, bass, bream, and catfish, so be sure to bring your tackle box. It’s also known for its championship 18-hole golf course, The Dogwoods Golf Course. This underrated state park is also ideal for camping, and with 128 campsites and 12 duplex cabins, you can almost always find something available when you visit.
15. Natchez State Park
Natchez State Park Campground, Natchez, MS 39120, USA
Wow Factor: Natchez is one of the most historic towns in Mississippi, and the Natchez Trace has plenty of scenic spots and trails to explore.
Need To Know: Make sure you have a Mississippi fishing license if you plan to fish.
The Natchez Trace Parkway is one of the most famous routes in Mississippi. Natchez State Park is just one of three Mississippi State Parks you’ll pass through if you’re taking this scenic road. While this may not be the largest park, there are plenty of things to do at Natchez State Park. Hiking and fishing take the top spots here, and this is where the largest bass in Mississippi history was caught! An 18.15-pound largemouth bass was caught here in Natchez Lake in 1992.
Don’t forget that admission to all Mississippi State Parks is $2 per person. A small price to pay to ensure these beautiful parks are maintained for future generations!
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