Tishomingo County, Mississippi
Tishomingo County is the only region in Mississippi which touches the Tennessee River, and it is one of the best places in the state to get out and enjoy its incredible wildlife and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Visit Tishomingo County!
JP Coleman State Park
Pickwick Lake on the Tennessee River is right at the center of outdoor recreation in Tishomingo County, as it creates tons of unique opportunities you can’t find anywhere else in the state.
A great place to make the most of this resource is J.P. Coleman State Park, which has a boat ramp and several docks out to the water. Fishing is a huge draw to Tishomingo County, and Pickwick Lake offers huge swaths of open water, as well as tons of secluded shallows and inlets so whether it’s catfish, bass, Bluegill, or Redear sunfish, you will find whatever fish you fancy in Pickwick.
Watersports, paddling, and recreational boating are also all popular activities on the water at J.P. Coleman State Park, and the visitors center at the lodge can help with any permits, hookups, or other assistance recreationists need. The lodge also offers several different ways to stay the night, including a motel so you can stay right on the water. You can also catch a panoramic view of the Tennessee River at the lodge.
There are many more ways to have fun on the land at the park as well, including a mini golf course which only costs $2 to play with a putter and ball included in the fee. Right by the mini golf course you can also find the park’s swimming pool, which also has a kiddie pool alongside it for the family’s youngest members.
There are picnic tables, grills, and a pavilion in the park, as well as a playground for kids to blow off steam while the meal is being set.
Tishomingo County Park
Offering even more outdoor adventures, Tishomingo County Park nearby has all kinds of activities on land and water to check out.
It is a coveted spot by both recreational and professional biologists and geologists, as it offers bluffs high above the river and lush, biodiverse plant life which you can’t find anywhere else in Mississippi.
The park also connects to the Natchez Trace Parkway, which showcases an incredible amount of opportunities to interact with Native American history and a huge variety of wildlife along its almost 450-mile path. The park land itself was a longtime hub of Native American activity, with an active archaeological site having unearthed items from 7,000 B.C. within its boundaries.
Bear Creek stretches across the park, giving guests opportunities for fishing or a 6.25-mile seasonal canoe paddle through the scenic bluffs, for which reservations are required. There is also a swinging bridge across the creek which was built in 1938 by the CCC, and it makes for a fun adventure and photo opportunity.
Haynes Lake in the park offers opportunities to fish for catfish, bream, and bass, as well as space to boat or paddle around leisurely.
Disc Golf is a big attraction in the park, and it offers three courses with 18-20 holes each. With the courses ranging in difficulty, it is the best place around to experience the growing sport. The park also offers a sandy court for beach volleyball.
There are plenty of places to spend the night at the park, including vacation cabins atop the bluffs, primitive campsites, cottages, 61 RV campsites, and more.
Rock climbing is an option at the park as long as climbers have a permit, and there are 13 miles of hiking opportunities across seven different trails throughout the property as well.
Bay Springs Lake
Coming in at eight miles long and about 6,700 total acres, Bay Springs Lake is yet another great place to get out and enjoy the water in Tishomingo County. With a connection to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, there are limitless possibilities on the water.
It also connects to Pickwick Lake and is right off the Natchez Trace Parkway for easy access to the Tennessee RiverLine and neighboring towns. Along the way, you can stop at Inez’s Drive-In for classic American cuisine, or Dos Amigos Mexican Restaurant for food inspired by culinary traditions south of the border.
There are five boat launches on the lake within Tishomingo County borders, and the state’s wildlife agency offers fishing reports that it updates regularly so anglers know what they’re getting into before hitting the water.
Tishomingo County is proud of its outdoor offerings, and it’s easy to see why as you explore its gorgeous wild spaces. From slower days loungin, fishing, and letting the wake control your destiny, to making the long haul up miles of a biodiverse hiking trail, there are tons of ways to disconnect and enjoy a recreational trip in this unique section of Mississippi.