Turkey Creek Water Park in Decatur offers equestrian facilities near Forest, Mississippi. The park maintains separate areas for traditional camping and horse camping with dedicated trails. The campground sits on a reservoir and stays open year-round, with most facilities accessible regardless of season. Fishing is productive with multiple species available.
What to do
Water recreation activities: Turkey Creek reservoir provides opportunities for boating, fishing and swimming. Lynn G. notes, "Enjoy fishing and especially water skiing with your own boat or a boat rented on site. There is mountain biking and hiking (all easy trails), a sandy beach, and just a nice relaxing atmosphere."
Equestrian trail riding: Turkey Creek Water Park features dedicated horse camping areas and trail systems through Mississippi woodlands. Kesha reports, "Small area for camping but new area for bringing horses to camp and trail ride. Clean with nice bunk houses. Fishing was good and sunsets amazing."
Historical site exploration: Visitors can explore regional historical structures at nearby Dunns Falls Water Park. Christopher T. mentions, "Lots of stairs to descend/ascend to get to the bottom of the falls. Nice historical building. I was the only camper there when I stayed. Very quiet."
What campers like
Peaceful atmosphere: The quieter setting at horse campgrounds near Forest, Mississippi allows for relaxation. Cindy S. shares, "Quite and peaceful small campground with bathroom, hot showers and laundry available. Nice campsite with lake view. Staff is friendly."
Alternative to National Forest: Yogi on the Lake provides additional camping options when other sites are full. Regina J. states, "Wonderful stay!!" with many campers appreciating the variety of amenities available.
Level camping sites: Recent improvements have enhanced the camping experience at several locations. Nelwyn B. confirms, "Small campground on a lake. Pretty and quiet. Recent work on campsites to create level sites. Enjoy camping there."
What you should know
Campsite limitations: Some equestrian campgrounds near Forest have limited space but adequate facilities. Tony H. reports about Turkey Creek Water Park, "This is one of the best campgrounds around hands down plenty of space not crowded and the people that work there are super friendly and helpful. We go there all the time."
Water fees vs. park fees: Some parks charge additional fees for water recreation access. At Yogi on the Lake, campers should clarify fee structures before arrival as some visitors have reported confusion about what amenities are included.
Gate closures and security: Many area campgrounds implement security measures. Gregory H. notes about Dunns Falls, "Gate to park locks at 5pm (key provided at check in) which is nice for security. Clean area. Close to a highway but few cars traveling at night."
Tips for camping with families
Activity centers for rainy days: Big Creek Water Park provides facilities that work regardless of weather. Casey P. states, "Tent camping with the family was a great time. Grounds are nice with boat access. Clean restrooms."
Check facility operations: Confirm that water amenities are functioning before planning your trip, especially early or late in the season when maintenance may affect availability.
Clarify what "water park" means: Some locations use "water park" to indicate natural water features rather than constructed slides and attractions. Lynn G. explains, "By 'water park' they mean 'park with recreation activities on the water' not a man made park with slides and rides. This was devastating news for our friend's young daughter!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Prepare leveling equipment when visiting equestrian campgrounds near Forest. Ashley S. cautions, "Our site was a very tight pull thru site. We definitely wouldn't of been able to pull out if the park was full. The site was very sloped so getting in the camper was difficult because the steps were so high off the ground."
Monthly rates available: Long-term stays are possible at several campgrounds with discounted rates. Claire M. mentions, "Very good monthly rate. Kiddos were obsessed with jumping pillow. Nice place!"
Limited dump stations: Plan waste management carefully as not all facilities offer full hookups. Some smaller equestrian campgrounds prioritize horse facilities over RV amenities.
