Tishomingo State Park

We stayed here for 5 nights at the end of May / beginning of June, 2023. Our price is an average over the 5 nights. As prior reviews state - the old sites are not so nice - if you were in a RV, you would step out and start walking down a slope... the new sites (FHU) from (don't quote me on this) site 38 or so to 62 are re-done, have full hook-ups and have decent "patio" areas. Much nicer than the lower number sites. I chose this campground for the trails, but sadly it was really hot and buggy when we were there. So I only did a little hiking. The main trails are way on the other side of the park, so it's either a hike there or a drive. Lots of Canadian geese and a beautiful view over the lake. I think site 48 was probably the nicest. Never saw a camp host - did see a ranger drive through a few times. I think the CG could use a host, as our firepit was full of half-burned logs, a bit of trash and the grille was full of ash. We don't actually use either of those, but I think the CG could have been a little cleaner - I picked up some trash in our site.

We chose Tishomingo for a long weekend in the fall. It’s a beautiful park and yes, it’s gotten old. We stayed in site 5. We have a truck camper so we fit. There is serious erosion around some of the lake side sites. Site 5 wasn’t too bad but it’s a steep drop off. We walked around the campground our first night and went through the section that has been redone. Those sites are going to be amazing. This park is beautiful and it looks like it’s getting the attention it deserves. The entrance to the Natchez Trace was closed due to bridge construction. Once that reopens and the new sites are open, it’ll be a great place to visit. We’d originally booked two nights but only stayed one but not because of the park. The Canadian geese had migrated here and were soooo loud. They’d fly over in swarms and land on the lake. It was not enjoyable to sit outside because of them.

First off all the reviews are true. This was probably a great park that has seen better days. The hiking is very nice with some great scenery. Some of the trails could be marked better. Apparently a volunteer group has put up new color markers for the trails but failed to inform the park staff what color each trail was assigned, according to the staff member I spoke with. The staff marked the all the trails with the same red spray paint. There’s only 7 trails I can’t understand why it would be difficult for the staff to figure it out. Bear creek trail was closed due stormed down trees/branches the staff told me. Nothing on that trail said it was closed. One has the feeling that the staff used to work at the DMV. Sites 5-17 seem to have the best views of the lake but the site pads are really nerve racking to park in. Steep drop offs if you miscalculate. Plus many potholes & cracks in pads. Is it a pothole or did I just roll off the pad and am I about to total my RV went through my mind. The good news is that sites 27-62 are being totally renovated and are scheduled for completion August 2022. They start working 8am week days with heavy equipment and tri-axle dump trucks running up and down the 1 narrow potholed road. Bathhouses just need to be knocked down and rebuilt. Even the dump station needs to be redone. Obviously the state has not been putting the money into routine maintenance. Hopefully the renovations will include all of the parks infrastructures. There’s an entrance to the Natchez Trace Parkway less than a mile from front gate if really fixed up this place should be packed because the natural beauty of the park is undeniable.

Love the lake and the hiking but the park itself really needs some TLC. This park was a Crown Jewel of the state many years ago and could be again. It looks like they are redoing half the sites so I'm hopeful it will be an improvement. There are a few good sites (see a couple of the other reviews for details) but many are eroded, and very close to one another. The bath houses are in terrible shape. They appear to do their best to keep them clean and maintained but they are very old and worn. We are self-contained so the bath houses don't bother me much and the park's trails are nice enough that we will go back when the sites under construction are reopened and will add another review then.

Site 15 was easy to back into & had a nice view of the lake. The hikes were the best part of this park. We did the outcropping hike in the morning & went back to start at pioneer cabin to walk to the swinging bridge, then up the natchez trace trail on the way back. It would be helpful to have the trail names noted at the junctions/trail heads but the marks on the trees kept us on track. We would have liked a better map (not a complaint just a wish). A perfect time of the year to visit. Tmobile cell service was spotty & only allowed occasional connection.

I had been looking at camping in Tishomingo State Park for several years, and I was not let down. The scenery was stunning, the hiking was breathtaking and surprising for Mississippi, and the campground was peaceful. While many sites may be difficult to navigate with a larger rig, if you prepare and have a little patience, you will not be let down. I cannot wait to go back!

We stayed 3 nights at site #14 and would consider that site to be the best in the whole campground. You have lots of pine trees at the site and can even put up a hammock. There are quite a few trails to hike and one with a swinging bridge. The trees were turning as we visited in October. There are 2 bath houses with hot water. The dump station is right across from site #14 and occasionally we would get a wiff of it but it would not deter me from staying there again. It is one of my favorite campgrounds. Cell phone coverage for T-Mobile was at times 4 bars (5G) but when we hiked we had no reception at all.

We were in site 15 with lots of privacy and a beautiful view of the pond. Our site was across the street from the dump station and while once or twice a day the wind would blow in our direction, it didn't last and would not deter us from staying in that site again. Along with site 15, in my opinion, site 14, 48 and 50 are the best sites on the pond. The only negative thing I can say about the park is the road. It appears they have just laid layers of asphalt down over time which has built up the road but didn't adjust the cement site pads. Therefore, there is a big dip at the end of your pad to the road which will cause some to drag on the way out. Also, there is 1 or 2 pads that are just a crumbled pile of cement. The bathhouses were closed due to the virus. The park is great, staff very courteous, and great trails. We loved our stay here and would stay again!