Vibrant hues, crisp air, and falling leaves signal the beginning of autumn. At Mississippi’s State Parks, they also point to a season of family fun across the state. From trail runs to fall festivals and car shows to jam sessions, something is sure to strike your fancy.
Hugh White State Park
Hugh White has hosted Spooky Tricks and Treats for families in and around Grenada for many years. “This place is wonderful for any kind of family event, and this is one of our biggest events,” says Louis Correro, park manager. “We’ve tried to add to it every year. This year, we hope to add a haunted hayride.”
The event, which will be on Saturday, Oct. 26, starts shortly after 6 p.m. with a golf cart parade around the park. “Guests decorate their golf carts, and we make a slow loop through the campground,” Correro says. “Our campground has a wonderful layout that helps us control traffic for everyone’s safety. Almost all of our 128 campsites will be full, and many will be decorated. We have a costume contest, as well as awards for best-decorated golf cart and campsite.”
As soon as the parade ends, children start trick-or-treating. “Local churches decorate car trunks and church buses, and Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops participate,” he says. “Some of our guests even set up a haunted house.”
Spooky Tricks and Treats draws up to 800 participants or more each year. “We probably have the best setup in Grenada,” Correro says.
Roosevelt State Park
Friends of Roosevelt State Park in Morton are planning their annual Fall Jamboree, Oct. 25-27. The event features vendors, entertainment, barrel train rides, inflatables, and other children’s activities for only $20.
“We have a pumpkin patch, where kids can pick a pumpkin to carve, paint or decorate with stickers, as well as a costume contest,” says Kristin Hines, secretary for Friends of Roosevelt State Park. “Last year, the campsites were being renovated, but now that they’re open, we’re hoping some of our campers will decorate their campsites.”
On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Friends sponsor a Haunted Trail. “It starts with scary stories, and there are surprises around every curve,” Hines says. “Most of the Haunted Trail takes place on our mountain bike trail, which is hilly and winding, so you can’t see what’s about to happen.”
On. Saturday, Dec. 7, Roosevelt State Park ushers in the holiday season with Santa on Wheels and the Fall Trail Fest 5K.
“We’re partnering with Sparkz and Restoration Car and Truck Show, and the entry fee to show your vehicle is to donate a toy,” Hines says. “Life Springs Ministries of Morton will disburse the toys in our community after the event.”
In addition, participants can make Christmas ornaments and enjoy vendors and entertainment. Santa and the Grinch will also be on hand for photos.
Trace State Park
For those who run a bit on the wild side, add the Tupelo Trail Shuffle at Trace State Park to your fall lineup. “Until three years ago, some of us were running around here but had to travel to Alabama and Tennessee for trail runs because there were no official trail races nearby,” says Emily Wade, a member of the Tupelo Running Club, an event sponsor.
Always held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, this year’s 10K and 20K Tupelo Trail Shuffle is scheduled for Nov. 23. “Trace State Park is a great location for this event because it’s beautiful and it’s convenient from several counties,” Wade says. “It’s a very beginner-friendly trail. It’s single track and not a huge elevation.”
The inaugural event in 2022 drew 108 participants and raised funds to purchase a swing set for the park’s playground. The 2023 race more than doubled the field, with 223 registrants hailing from Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, and Nevada. Proceeds from that race were donated to the park for additional trail signage.
Included with the entry fee is a race medal and fleece hoodie. To register, visit www.ultrasignup.com.
Many racers stay in the park’s cabins and campsites and make a weekend of it, taking advantage of everything Trace State Park offers.
“This park has so many great trails—we eventually hope to make it into an ultra-race (50K),” Wade says. “We haven’t included the motorcycle trails yet. That would make the race not only longer but also more challenging.”
If your tastes are slightly tamer, check out Trace State Park’s third annual Fall Festival, scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. This family-friendly event features a campsite decorating contest, pumpkin decorating contest, games, and trick-or-treating.
Lake Lowndes State Park
Soulful bluegrass music perfectly complements nature on a crisp fall day. Area campers, musicians, and others are invited to the inaugural Bluegrass Camp and Jam, scheduled for Oct. 17-19 at Lake Lowndes in Columbus.
Reservations for the 50 full-hookup campsites began filling up quickly as news of the event spread.
“We’ve got about 10 different bluegrass groups scheduled to come that weekend,” says Penny Wyers, park manager. “Most of the time, they’ll be playing at their campsites and around the community campfire pit in the middle of the campground. This is something special we wanted to do for our campers.”
But that Saturday, the park invites everyone to join in. “During the day on Saturday, we’ll move the party up to the amphitheater behind our activities building,” Wyers says. “We hope the community will come out and join us then.”
Entertainment will be included in the park’s $2 entrance fee.
Clarkco State Park
Clarkco State Park in Quitman welcomes fall with two big events: a 50K ultra race and a Bluegrass Festival.
The Ivy Trek Ultra, touted as breathtaking and challenging, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28. The park’s trails are wide and easy to navigate but cut across deceptively hilly terrain. The course features mostly double-track trails with some single tracks in the mix. Racers traverse several bridges and around the legendary Goldfish Pond, catching peeks at 65-acre Ivy Lake as they run. As a bonus, Clarkco State Park offers 43 full-hookup campsites, 21 cabins, and primitive camping sites for racers who choose to stay onsite.
Park Manager Bob Jeffers expects a “jam-packed full house plus a lot of day visitors” for the annual Bluegrass Festival on Saturday, Oct. 19. The event runs from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. It features multiple bluegrass groups, cloggers, food vendors, and more. “We set up at Pavilion 1, and you can hear the music anywhere in the park,” Jeffers says.
The $2 per person entry fee includes fun for the entire family. “Parents can enjoy the music while kids play,” he says. In addition to a playground and splash pad, the park offers tennis courts and an 18-hole disc golf course.
Football Getaways
College football season has begun. Consider Mississippi State Parks if you’re looking for a cabin or a place to park the RV. Here are a list of schools and the parks closest to them: 
- Ole Miss: John W. Kyle, Wall Doxey, George P. Cossar
- Mississippi State: Lake Lowndes, Legion
- Southern Mississippi: Paul B. Johnson
- Jackson State: LeFleur’s Bluff
- Alcorn State: Natchez
- Mississippi Valley: Leroy Percy
- Alabama: Lake Lowndes (75-minute trip)
- LSU: Percy Quin (90-minute trip)
Parks & Destinations