Trace State Park
4.5(363)google
Nature
Overview
Trace State Park (formerly Old Natchez Trace Park) is a public recreation area located off Mississippi Highway 6, seven miles (11 km) east of Pontotoc and seven miles (11 km) west of Tupelo in the U.S. state of Mississippi. The state park surrounds 565-acre (229 ha) Trace Lake and is named for the nearby Natchez Trace trail. Famed frontiersman Davy Crockett once lived within the area bounded by the park.
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 (October to November) offers the crispest weather for exploring the park's rugged multi-use ATV trail networks. Hit the 565-acre Trace Lake recreational loops between 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM when bright morning light hits the water, avoiding both the midday glare and afternoon mountain trail humidity.
Getting ThereConveniently set between Tupelo and Belden at 2139 State Park Road. Drive west from Tupelo along I-22 W, take Exit 76 for MS-6 W/MS-9 S, proceed west for 6 miles, and follow the large brown state park signage right onto State Park Road. Extensive free paved flat surface parking spaces border the boat ramps.
Travel Tips
- The dedicated ATV and off-road dirt bike trail network requires a separate specialized riding permit from the park headquarters; wearing a DOT-certified safety helmet is legally mandated 24/7.
- Trace Lake boat ramps face intense cross-chop under heavy winds; watercraft operators must adhere to strict single-direction launch lines and maintain a absolute wake-free speed limit in restricted zones.
- The expansive pine-forested campsites enforce strict seasonal campfire bans; kindling fires is legal only within the park-installed heavy steel fire rings, with dead-wood foraging strictly prohibited.
Reviews
Positive
- Perched by a wide, beautiful reservoir lake; the water-sky scenery offers strong visual impact and high pristine eco-beauty.
- A true paradise for largemouth bass fishing and boating, packed with excellent mountain biking and ATV off-road trails for maximum fun.
- Admission fees per vehicle are extremely cheap with ample free ground lots and full-hookup RV sites, offering top value for self-drivers.
- Due to its wide footprint, visitor density dilutes perfectly even on holidays; the vibe is full of tranquility, peace, and relaxation.
Heads up
- With heavy leanings toward off-road trails, sections are highly uneven and muddy, featuring near zero modern accessible structures.
- Public showers and detached baths look older and dated; cleaning frequency lags during peak weekends, and trash cans attract flies.
- Trail signs deep in woods look weathered and vague; multilingual safety tips are absent, and cell service drops in remote pockets.
- Mississippi's summer sun is brutal; wide boat ramps lack comfortable shaded gazebos and benches, draining physical stamina.