Trace State Park Campground sits 4 miles from the Natchez Trace Parkway in Belden, Mississippi, at approximately 400 feet elevation. The park features a 565-acre lake surrounded by mixed hardwood and pine forests typical of northeastern Mississippi. Winter temperatures average 40-60°F, making year-round camping viable with seasonal variations in humidity and rainfall.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Trace State Park Campground offers excellent lake fishing from both shoreline and boat. "Our site backed up to the lake and was beautiful! Lots of activities and has a marina. Fishing was great," notes one visitor who found success directly from their campsite.
Trail exploration: The park maintains several walking paths suitable for day hiking. "Beautiful place to camp and relax. Clean campsites and bathrooms. Nice hiking trails," reports a camper who appreciated the maintained pathway system. Trails range from 0.5-2 miles in length and feature mostly flat terrain.
Paddling excursions: Piney Grove Campground provides direct water access for kayaking and canoeing. "We share the campground with less than a dozen other campers... We see a variety of waterfowl and a few bass fishing boats," writes a visitor who enjoyed the quieter waterways during weekday stays.
What campers like
Lakefront accommodations: At Davis Lake Campground, sites position campers near the water. "Loved that almost all spots were right at the water edge. Literally. All types of birds to watch. Squirrels too," explains a reviewer who enjoyed the proximity to nature.
Night sky viewing: The region's rural setting creates prime conditions for stargazing. "Being located in the Tombigbee National Forest there was no light pollution making the night sky a spectacular sight to see," a camper reports, highlighting the celestial advantages of the forest location.
Quiet surroundings: Wall Doxey State Park Campground provides a peaceful retreat. "Camped 4days/3nights. Really nice wooded sites. Water and Electric on site. Quiet and Peaceful," describes a solo female tent camper who felt secure during her stay.
What you should know
Road conditions: Several campgrounds need infrastructure updates. "Trace state park is very nice and relaxing. From fishing, kayaking to camping. The roads in the park are terrible! That's the one downside to the park," warns a visitor, echoing concerns mentioned across multiple campgrounds.
Seasonal differences: While most parks remain open year-round, Puskus Lake offers different experiences by season. "I camped here just one night in May 2021 on a Saturday, I got there at about 3pm and was the first there but by nightfall every site was full," reports a solo camper, indicating weekend popularity during warm months.
Limited amenities: Glamping near Belden, Mississippi often means self-sufficiency. "This is a great location to disconnect, but do not expect the amenities other sites offer (bathrooms, electricity, water, etc.)," notes a visitor to Puskus Lake, highlighting the rustic nature of some locations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some parks offer recreation facilities for children. "The playground could use an update, but it does the job keeping the kids entertained," mentions a Wall Doxey visitor who found the equipment functional despite needing renovation.
Swimming options: Chewalla Lake Recreation Area provides dedicated swimming areas. "There is a boat ramp and fishing pier for the fishermen/water lovers... The path leads you to a partially covered bridge that crosses over to an island with a picnic table," describes a visitor who appreciated the recreational diversity.
Wildlife viewing: Children often enjoy animal sightings around campsites. "We had a Great Blue Heron friend during our entire stay," shares a Davis Lake camper, highlighting the accessible wildlife viewing opportunities without requiring specialized equipment.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Tishomingo State Park Campground offers varied camping experiences depending on site location. "The new section - sites 38-62- is amazing! Just perfect. Beautiful large sites with lake views and perfectly paved and landscaped. The rest of the campground needs the same treatment asap and is in rough shape," advises an RVer comparing different camping areas.
Hookup availability: Electrical service varies between campgrounds and sites. "We stayed in site 18 by the water, most lakeside sites are about 20 feet from shore, and are mostly grass besides the driveway and tent pad... There is 30 and 50 amp electric and good water pressure," notes a Davis Lake camper detailing the utilities.
Leveling considerations: RVers should prepare for uneven terrain at some sites. "Super easy access from the Natchez Trace Parkway. All sites are level concrete but narrow. No room for error on either side," cautions a Tishomingo visitor who found the narrow sites challenging for larger rigs.
