Turkey Creek Water Park near Walnut Grove sits in east-central Mississippi's gently rolling terrain with elevations averaging 400-450 feet. Located within the Bienville National Forest region, the area experiences warm summers with high humidity and mild winters, making it suitable for year-round equestrian camping. The Turkey Creek reservoir creates a 550-acre water feature surrounded by mixed pine and hardwood forest.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Riders access well-maintained trails directly from designated horse camping areas. The trails connect to wooded terrain throughout the region, with multiple route options for different experience levels. According to Kesha, "Small area for camping but new area for bringing horses to camp and trail ride. Clean with nice bunk houses."
Fishing opportunities: Turkey Creek reservoir offers good fishing conditions year-round. Bass fishing is particularly popular, with multiple shoreline access points and boat launches available. Brad O. notes the lake has "Lilly pads and bass," making it productive for anglers targeting largemouth bass.
Water activities: The reservoir supports various water-based recreation beyond fishing. As Lynn G. explains, "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."
Historical sites: Dunns Falls Water Park combines camping with historical structures and natural features. Gregory H. mentions, "The historical structures are neat, as is the waterfall. The whole park can be explored in less than an hour."
What campers like
Peaceful atmosphere: The equestrian campgrounds near Walnut Grove provide quiet settings away from crowds. Cindy S. describes Turkey Creek Water Park as a "Hidden Gem" that's "Quite and peaceful small campground with bathroom, hot showers and laundry available. Nice campsite with lake view."
Scenic views: The natural setting creates memorable views, particularly around water features. Kesha noted that at Turkey Creek, "Fishing was good and sunsets amazing," highlighting the visual appeal of the waterfront equestrian campsites.
Spacious sites: Campsites offer sufficient room for horses and camping equipment. Tony H. notes, "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."
Waterfall access: Dunns Falls Water Park offers unique natural features beyond typical horse camping amenities. Christopher T. mentions, "Lots of stairs to descend/ascend to get to the bottom of the falls. Nice historical building."
What you should know
Site preparation: Some campgrounds require preparation for optimal conditions. Nelwyn B. reports Turkey Creek has "Recent work on campsites to create level sites," indicating ongoing improvements to accommodate camping equipment and horse trailers.
Water access fees: Some parks charge additional fees for water activities beyond camping fees. Lynn G. notes at Turkey Creek Water Park, "costs a little more to access the lake (not bad, just a surprise)."
Limited facilities at some locations: Smaller equestrian camping areas may have minimal amenities. Gregory H. reports that at Dunns Falls, "Water spigots scattered around but most don't work" and notes that camping areas are "about five tables and grills scattered on edge of property. No real sites (no tent pads, no fire rings)."
Seasonal considerations: Water conditions vary throughout the year. Sippi's S. advises, "We also went at a bad time after the rain is not the ideal time the water was really high and the current was rapid."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Yogi on the Lake provides family-friendly water activities beyond equestrian amenities. Claire M. reports, "Fun campground for the kiddos. Loved all of the activities and amenities available. Water park was ice cold so we didn't get to use it. Activity center was awesome especially for rainy days."
Staff interactions: Staff can enhance the camping experience for families with children. Anna B. says about Yogi on the Lake, "she goes above and beyond to make sure your stay is fun and memorable for the whole family. Always something fun to do here."
Mixed-use recreation: Families can combine horse activities with other outdoor recreation. Lynn G. notes Turkey Creek offers "mountain biking and hiking (all easy trails), a sandy beach, and just a nice relaxing atmosphere."
Check facility operations: Water features may not always be operational when expected. Ashley S. advises checking ahead: "Seemed like they had a lot of water activities for summer time. We will definitely be back in the summer for a visit."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV sites at some campgrounds require significant leveling. Ashley S. reports about Yogi on the Lake, "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 options: Some campgrounds offer favorable extended-stay rates. Claire M. notes, "Very good monthly rate," making longer equestrian camping trips more economical.
Site spacing: Horse camping areas typically provide more space between sites than standard campgrounds. Tony H. appreciates that Turkey Creek has "plenty of space not crowded," which is important when traveling with horses and larger rigs.
