Roosevelt State Park
4.4(520)google
3.9(15)yelp
Nature
Overview
Roosevelt State Park is a public recreation area located off Interstate 20 on the southwest side of Morton, Mississippi. The state park surrounds 150-acre (61 ha) Shadow Lake at the western edge of Bienville National Forest, between Jackson and Meridian. It is managed by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
Practical Info
Mon8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tue8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration0.5-1 day
Best TimeLate autumn (mid-October to mid-November) is phenomenal for viewing the changing hardwood and pine forests. Walk the Shadow Lake wooden boardwalk loop between 3:30 PM and sunset; the low evening sun strikes the cypress trees, throwing fire-like reflections across the dark lake surface, providing a perfect camping setting.
Getting ThereLocated in Morton. Driving is required due to the park's vast scale. From Jackson, drive east on I-20 E for about 30 minutes, take Exit 77 for MS-13 North toward Morton. Drive north for 1 mile; the grand historic stone CCC arches will be on your right, opening into large paved parking loops near the water.
Travel Tips
- Enforces exact cash day-fee drops at the front checkpoint; during downpours, the Shadow Lake picnic loop faces severe flash back-flooding, legally barring low-clearance passenger sedans.
- The primitive Lakeview Trail winds past active breeding zones for alligators and venomous copperheads; wearing thick-soled high-top boots and staying 10 feet back from waterlines is a mandate.
- Campsites offer full hookups but rely on uncompacted aggregate substrates; heavy triple-axle slides exceeding 38 feet must employ rigid structural leveling blocks to prevent chassis sinking.
Reviews
Positive
- Perched by a beautiful natural lake surrounded by towering hardwood forests; early morning glass-like lake vistas offer top visuals.
- Water activities are colorful—skiing, fishing, and boating are truly fun; camps feature full RV hookups and water slides.
- Admission is charged per car and very cheap with great value; driving access is smooth right off the I-20 exit, highly convenient.
- The park spans a massive footprint; even during peak weekends, crowds dilute perfectly, preserving a pristine quiet with ample baths.
Heads up
- Some public showers and older rental cabins look dated, lacking high-frequency deep cleaning; trash cans attract flies.
- Mosquitoes and ticks swarm heavily in wild woods during summer and autumn, hurting hiking experiences without strong bug spray.
- Trail signs deep in the woods look worn and vague outside the main gate; multilingual safety and emergency warnings are missing.
- Some shallow swimming zones look cloudy with a plant odor due to August algae blooms, showing minor natural limits.