From the Mississippi Delta lands up through the state, we’ve traveled some of the loveliest parts of Mississippi, backroads and dirt roads, to find some of the best state parks! Camp under the stars, along the state’s lakes and might rivers, and see what this historic and beautiful state is really all about! Take time to meet some of the friendliest people who work at the parks, too!
1.Grand Gulf Military State Park An often overlooked park, Grand Gulf sits just feet from the Mississippi River, with a walking trail and an overlook of the mighty Mississippi. The park sits on what was once the city of Grand Gulf, which was completely destroyed except for a few buildings during the Civil War. The park has a nice little museum, with relics of the war and life on the Mississippi. You’ll also love the drive out to the park, which feels like something out of Lord of the Rings where giants might step out of the mist! The park also sits in the shadow of the Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Station.
2. Natchez State Park Natchez is the epitome of a Southern Town, with huge mansions, many open for tours, amazing food and a grizzly history told on every corner. The oldest town on the Mississippi River, it is home to the Natchez National Park, one of the narrators of the town’s history. Natchez State Park offers a respite in the trees and lake shore just minutes from town.
3. Buccaneer State Park, Waveland Enjoy the Mississippi section of the Gulf of Mexico at this fun state park! The park boast camping sites, beach access and a nature trail.
4. Tombigbee State Park, Tupelo Big pine trees surround Lee Lake, and this scenic state park offers amazing camping and fishing on the lake. The park also offers 2 disc golf courses. 6 miles outside of Tupelo, which I fell in love with during our Natchez Trace Road Trip, the 2-lane non-commercial road from Nashville, TN to Natchez, MS. The Blue Canoe in Tupelo was my favorite in a long list of amazing meals during that trip! We also had a blast at the Tupelo Buffalo Park! Of course, Tupelo is also the birthplace of Elvis, so we had to make an Elvis Playlist, in addition to Natchez Trace Trail Mix.
Because I love obscure trivia, the Tombigbee State Park is near the Tombigbee River. Back in Texas, there is a Lake Tombigbee in Livingston, part of the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation with camping and even teepees. So I had to know the origin of the name, since the river doesn’t flow anywhere near Livingston, Texas. It’s the Choctaw word for box-maker, although it’s unclear if that’s for the boxes they built to carry supplies up and down the river, or the coffins that built for those who died during the river floods.
5. LeFleur’s Bluff State Park, Jackson Located in Jackson, it’s the perfect park to enjoy the city or get away from it. We’ve stayed here a few times on our way to Gulf Shores and Destin; it’s about halfway from Fort Worth.
6. Tishomingo State Park (Northeast Mississippi) Scenic Park on the Natchez Trace Trail, it really highlights the diverse eco-systems of the state! Set in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, you can enjoy the lovely scenery, canoeing and rock-climbing!
7. Trace State Park (near Tupelo) Once home to Davy Crockett before he headed to Texas, this park offers camping, fishing, hiking and disc golf. We sang a lot of the Ballad of Davy Crockett in the car heading to and from this park!
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
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