If you have questions about purchasing a license call 1-800-5GO-HUNT.
About The Park
Find yourself outdoors in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains! Tishomingo State Park is steeped in history and scenic beauty. Archaeological excavations confirm the presence of Paleo Indians in the area now encompassed by the park as early as 7000 B.C.! The park takes its name from the leader of the Chickasaw nation, Chief Tishomingo. The famous Natchez Trace Parkway, the premier highway of the early 1800s and a modern scenic parkway, runs directly through the park. Today's visitors to Tishomingo State Park discover the same timeless natural beauty that enchanted the Native Americans centuries ago. Tishomingo offers a unique landscape of massive rock formations and fern-filled crevices found nowhere else in Mississippi. Massive boulders blanketed in moss dot the hillsides, and colorful wildflowers border trails once walked by Native Americans. Be sure to see the iconic and scenic Swinging Bridge crossing Bear Creek, a suspended footbridge built by CCC workers in 1938.
Address
105 County Road 90
Tishomingo, MS 38873
United States
Entrance Fee
$2.00 per person, 5 years of age and under - free
Phone
+1 662-438-6914
Hours of Operation
8 AM to 5 PM, Seven Days a Week
Reserve a spot
now!
now!
Day use and overnight camping.
Park Directions
From Natchez Trace Parkway:
- Exit on Mile Marker 304
- Travel on Trace Access road approximately 1/2 mile
- Turn Right onto State Park Road (County Road 90)
- Continue straight on this road and you will arrive at the gatehouse
Tishomingo State Park Interactive Map
Find and learn more about Tishomingo State Park...
Things To Do
The park's unique setting fills every activity with adventure. Activities and recreational facilities available at Tishomingo State Park include: picnic area with tables and grills, picnic pavilions, lodge facility, disc golf courses, compass course, hiking trails, playgrounds, multi-use field, volleyball court, and a swimming pool. Rock climbing is available by permit. Fishing is available in Haynes Lake and Bear Creek. A seasonal Canoe Float Trip is available, contact Park Office.
Amenities
Amenities
RV Campground
Tent Campground
Cabins/Cottages
Group Camp
Visitor / Meeting Room
Canoe Trip
Fishing
Pavilions/Picnic Areas
Playground
Playing Fields
Disc Golf
Nature Trail
Boat Launch
Campground Laundry
Kayak Rentals
Picnic Sites/Pavilions
Picnic Sites/Pavilions
Picnic sites are located throughout the day-use area and some provide grills and beautiful lake views.
Three pavilions of various sizes are available for rent; each pavilion includes picnic tables, water, electricity, and a barbeque grill. These are great facilities for group outings, family reunions, and company picnics. Call the park office for more information regarding booking and prices.
Playground
Playground
Play Structures
There are several playgrounds with play equipment in the park. Playgrounds feature traditional equipment and modern play units.
Multi-use Field
The park also offers a grassed multi-use ballfield for open play. The ballfield is across from the swimming pool facility and parking is available.
Volley Ball
A volley ball court is located near the Swinging Bridge. The court surface is sand and the park typically has volleyballs available. Picnic tables and shade trees are nearby.
Water Activities
Water Activities
Bear Creek Canoe Float Trip
Tishomingo State Park does not transport personal watercraft to and from Bear Creek.
Winding through Tishomingo State Park is Bear Creek, a scenic stream settled within the park's bluffs. The park offers a 6.25-mile canoe float trip down the rocky-bottomed stream with the take-out point at the park. The float trip operates seasonally; call for schedule and to reserve and confirm your canoe (weather and water level permitting). Scenic sandstone bluffs, lush greenery, a canopy of mixed hardwoods and pines, shoals, and Class I rapids with long pools between provide for an enjoyable and exciting trip for all ages.
Reservations are required in advance. Contact the park office for more details and seasonal schedules. There is a $40 fee for the canoe float trip, and a maximum of two people per boat. For reservations, contact the park office at (662) 438-6914.
The park provides everything you need: canoes, paddles, lifejackets, and transportation. Lifejackets must be worn for the duration of the float trip. There is a limit of two persons per canoe. One small, collapsible, lunchbox-size cooler per canoe will be permitted on the trip. No alcoholic beverages will be allowed. Coolers are subject to search.
All persons wanting to take the float trip must report to the Park Office at 9:00 am. Canoeists leave their cars at the park's Swinging Bridge Area and are transported upstream to begin the float trip. Participants return to the swinging bridge approximately two and a half to three hours later (dependent upon water conditions). At the end of the trip, all canoeists are required to load their canoes on the trailer provided.
Haynes Lake
SWIMMING IS NOT ALLOWED IN HAYNES LAKE OR IN BEAR CREEK.
Haynes Lake is a 45-acre freshwater lake that offers fishing. The lake is stocked with catfish, bream, and bass. A boat launch and parking are available. A Mississippi fishing license is required for all persons between the ages of 16 and 65 and may be purchased at the park office for a small fee. Water skiing is not permitted on Haynes Lake.
The water level in the lake can vary a great deal based on the time of year and the frequency of rain events. Without regular rain events, the water level will decline which can make access to the lake edge and boat launching difficult. Local streams feed Lake Haynes and naturally drain into Bear Creek. It is normal for the lake level to fluctuate with the season. A boat launch and parking are available. The boat launch fee is $7 daily per boat. Due to the size of Lake Haynes, boat traffic is limited to trolling motor speed only.
Disc Golf
Disc Golf
Three disc golf courses are featured at Tishomingo State Park. Each course consists of 18-20 holes, with a variety of distances, terrain, and difficulty. The courses are located in different areas of the park and take advantage of the varied and scenic terrain, making for courses that are enjoyable and challenging to play. Courses are Chickasaw Trail, Warrior Ridge, and Tushka Run.
The courses can be played year round. There is no fee to play; however, payment of the normal park entrance fee is required. Scorecards are available at the park office.
Nature Trail
Nature Trail
Hiking Trails
Tishomingo State Park offers the outdoor enthusiast approximately 13 miles of nature trails. There are seven separate trails in the park. The trails differ in length, but all are easy to moderate walking. The delineation of each trail can be determined by following the red blazing painted on the trees. Each trail is unique in vegetation and terrain. The rock formations are in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and are only found in Tishomingo County. Outcroppings Trail (#7) is the only loop trail that returns to its beginning. All other trails are a point-to-point trails that begin and end in different places.
For trail descriptions and trail maps, see the below brochure:
Rock Climbing
The rock outcroppings and bluffs in the park are not found in any other county in the state. Rock climbing is available by permit only. Participants must provide their own equipment, including a helmet, and secure a permit at the park office prior to engaging in any climbing activities. Climbing Guides are available for purchase at the Park Office.
Stay The Night
There are several options when it comes to staying overnight. The park offers 61 RV campsites, 14 primitive campsite area, 6 cabins, 1 cottage, and a group camp facility. The campground is wooded and follows the edge of Haynes Lake. Cabins are located in a wooded area on rocky bluffs above Bear Creek.
Reservations are encouraged. They can be made online or by calling the park at (662) 438-6914 or 1-800-GO PARKS (1-800-467-2757).
Developed Camping
Developed Camping
RV Campground
A campground of 61 campsites is available for RV camping. The campground is in a wooded area and wraps the edge of Haynes Lake. Campground road and campsites are paved and feature picnic tables, grills, water, and electrical hook-ups. Each campsite provides direct access to Haynes Lake. Sites 1 - 37 are standard sites, offering water and electricity. Sites 38 - 62 are premium sites, offering 50/30/20-amp service, water, and sewer.
Two bathhouses with restrooms and showers are located in the campground area. A central RV dump station for campers is available off the campground road.
All campsites are available for advance reservation and can be reserved up to 12 months in advance by contacting the park office at (662) 438-6914 or by our online reservation system. Primitive campsites are not reserved in advance.
Primitive Camping
Primitive Camping
Two primitive camping areas provide 14 primitive campsites. Sites feature a picnic table, grill, and fire ring. There is no water or electricity. Water, restrooms, and hot showers are available nearby. Primitive campsites are not reservable in advance and are first come, first served. Call the Park Office on the day of your desired arrival for availability.
Vacation Cabins
Vacation Cabins
Six rustic cabins, set on bluffs above Bear Creek, capture the timeless character of the park. These cabins are available for rental and are furnished with basic kitchen equipment and bed and bath linens. Cabins are air conditioned and heated, feature a stone fireplace, and have a screened-in porch or patio. Each cabin accommodates four people. Cabins are unique with differing floor plans. See below brochure for floor plans. Cabin 5 is handicap accessible.
Pets and smoking are not allowed in vacation cottages.
Vacation Cottages
Vacation Cottages
For a more modern experience, a cottage (Cottage #7) is available with two bedrooms (one bedroom with a queen size bed and the other with a full size bed), an open den/dining area and kitchen, front porch, outdoor grill, and picnic table. The cottage is handicap accessible and can accommodate four people. This cottage is available for rental and is furnished with basic kitchen equipment and bed and bath linens.
Pets and smoking are not allowed in vacation cottages.
Group Camp
Group Camp
The group camp facility provides housing for up to 90 campers. Main facilities include six air conditioned bunk style cabins with separate counselor quarters in each cabin.
Campers must furnish their own linens, pillows, towels, soap, and other personal items.
Group Camp reservations are available. Reservations can be made by contacting the park at (662) 438-6914.
Group Camp Minimum Requirements
- 40 guests, 3 nights stay during peak season (May 15 - August 15)
- 24 guests, 2-night stay during the off-season (August 16 - May 14)
Group Camp Rates
- Contact Park for rates - (662) 438-6914. A non-refundable deposit of $200 is required for Group Camp reservations.
- Additional group camp facilities include a basketball goal, and a large multi-purpose field that can be used for sport, athletic, and other recreational activities.
- The dining hall can also be used between meals for meetings and activities.
- Note: The Dining Hall may previously be reserved by another group requesting the Lodge, check with Park Office to confirm Dining Hall availability for any Group Camp reservations.
- Also Note: Stoves, ovens, griddles, or other cooking/warming devices are not available in the Dining Hall. The Dining Hall is heated/air conditioned, has a coffee pot, standard household refrigerator, and a microwave, plus restrooms. Tables and seating are available for approximately 60 persons at a time. A small pavilion with picnic tables is provided in the rear of the Dining Hall.
Smoking is not allowed in any Mississippi government building. Pets are NOT allowed in or around the group camp area. Pets are NOT allowed in or around the group camp area. Pets must be restrained on a leash at all times; pets are not permitted in the Group Camp area nor Family Cabin area, or inside any state building.
