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Mississippi:

Published: Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Named after the celebrated Mississippi River that encompasses its western limits, Mississippi holds a rather large rural population whose people are largely engaged in cotton farming. This is not to say, however, that Mississippi has little to offer when it comes to tourist attractions. On the contrary, with the increase in industrial activity, Mississippi has been able to direct its resources to developing its natural attractions resulting in more beaches, fast-growing cities, preserved historical areas, and an all-around aura of progress, making the state another excellent place for outdoor exploration. Topping all of these is the immense number of rivers and lakes that should make a typical RVer want to find out more about the land that has a literal translation of "Father of Waters".

A General View of Mississippi Regions

Mississippi state, which is also called the "Magnolia State", is divided into five distinct regions. These are the Hills Region, the Pines Region, the Delta Region, the Capital/River Region, and the Coastal Region. Each of these regions is endowed with natural beauty and wonder that will absolutely thrill most outdoor lovers like RVers.

The Hills Region

Generally enveloped by a vast field of cotton farms, the Hills Region covers the eastern tip of the Mississippi River stretching up to the southern point of Vicksburg. The region can be considered as a highly rural area although RVers visiting the area will not really feel exasperated since there are various state parks and magical lakes waiting for even a short examination.

Among the cities here where RV-boarded trippers should evidently have a great time are Columbus, Grenada, and Tupelo, the last one being very significant as it happens to be the hometown of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. RV-boarded tourists should most definitely then include the Elvis Presley Birthplace, Chapel, and Museum in their travel list of must-see places in Mississippi. However, for an outdoor-based activity, RVers can opt for the Tupelo Buffalo Park where a tour will expose them to the biggest regional herd of bison.

Tupelo is also the host to one vital RV park, the Campground at Barnes Crossing where fully hooked-up sites await weary RV riders. Located at the outskirts of the city, the campground is only a single block away from the Mall at Barnes Crossing, presently the biggest mall based in North Mississippi.

The Pines Region

The area is the ultimate family getaway because it boasts of several attractions that cater both to the young and the young at heart. Children will find the fun-filled water activities at Geyser Falls Water Park simply irresistible. Meanwhile, daddies, and even mommies, can improve on their golf game by visiting the West Point-based Old Waverly Golf Course and the Dancing Rabbit Golf Course of Choctaw.

Two regional cities stand out here namely Meridian and Philadelphia, both for hosting suitable RV parks and for carefully preserving historic landmarks. In Meridian, RV-boarded can park their RVs at Benchmark RV Park and go on foot to observe the various memorabilia items housed inside the Highland Park Dentzel Museum. Over at Philadelphia, Frog Level RV Park offers exquisite southern food to its visitors apart from providing them with opportunities for hunting in its forest area and fishing in its majestic lakes. Additionally, RVers can check out the Neshoba County Fair held in Philadelphia originally started 118 years ago and is now among the last few fairs that still exist in the US.

The Delta Region

The region has long been credited for giving birth to blues music headlined by the likes of B.B. King, Robert Johnson, and Muddy Walters and for raising rock icons like Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, and the Rolling Stones. The present-day Delta Region, however, is now a casino gaming area with the city of Tunica leading the pack with its nine casino houses. For RVers who are regular fixtures in Las Vegas, they will feel right at home in this particular region.

Yet, there is more to Delta Mississippi than just casinos and music. Its many cities offer attractions not found anywhere else. A good example of this is Chatham City where one portion of the great Lake Washington resides. The lake, reaching a maximum depth of 20 feet and covering nine long miles, is a prominent fishing ground since 1950 where anglers have consistently caught either a bass, a bream, a crappie, or a catfish. RVers who are also into fishing will find the waters of Lake Washington totally engaging. Otherwise, they can go on a hunting spree since the lake is also gradually becoming a favorite spot among hunters, especially at nearby Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge where white-tails have been common sightings.

Conveniently perched at the northern tip of Lake Washington is Roy's Store Cabins and Campgrounds where RVers can easily head off to after a round of fishing at the lake. The campground features 18 RV areas and a small cafe where visitors are offered either a complete breakfast set or a delightful lunch, with dinner served occasionally during peak seasons.

The Capital/River Region

Many parts of this particular region have been devoted to agriculture but the area nevertheless showcases a rich cultural heritage as seen in the Mississippi Crafts Center where potteries, baskets, and various artworks produced by local artisans are displayed. Another regional portion features a more modern setting as reflected in the mall based in Ridgeland, considered the biggest in Mississippi.

The official state capital, Jackson, is found here, which is obviously the central stage of all state activities, and where most RV riders will find historic and cultural landmarks that are truly worth visiting. The Russell C. Davis Planetarium, the Mississippi Museum of Art, and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science are the structures here where RVers can go on guided tours.

However, if the goal of an RV rider is to have outdoor fun in Jackson City, a new RV park set at the southern edge of the city should be able to answer that need. The Swinging Bridge RV Park boasts of a fishing pond and a swimming pool for adults and a playground for children. Amenities include a retail store, a pavilion, and four elegant restaurants that one can access on foot.

The Coastal Region

The region has gained a reputation as a prominent casino destination with Mobile and New Orleans travelers reaching it in just 60 minutes of driving. RV-boarded tourists who decide to tour this particular region will find lots of entertainment centers, historic places, and outdoor opportunities as well which they can explore with ease since most other tourists would likely head off to the regional casinos.

Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and Biloxi are the cities here that RV trippers will find to be genuinely RV-friendly, but by far, Biloxi is the friendliest as it hosts about six RV campgrounds, apart from having several attractions that definitely suit the general interest of a typical RVer. These include lovely beaches, exquisite casino resorts, and championship golf areas.

Of the many RV parks found in the Coastal Region, RV travelers will find staying at Mazalea Campground and RV Park wholly unforgettable. Aside from offering fully hooked-up RV sites, the campground also boasts of brand new camp facilities like boat ramps, cabins, dressing rooms, shower rooms, and laundry areas.

Access to regional attractions like beaches, casinos, restaurants, and entertainment centers are not a problem as these can be reached in just 15 minutes coming from the RV park.

The Cities of "Magnolia State"

Excluding Jackson, no other Mississippi city can boast of exceeding prominence that make it stand out from the rest. Each and every city in the "Magnolia State" carries its own distinctive feature that is unique to that particular area. This is what a typical RV rider should strive to discover as he explores various Mississippi cities with a suitable RV park naturally as a vital guiding point.

Hattiesburg

When it was incorporated sometime in 1884, this city immediately became the central district for the major activities in Mississippi owing to its strategic location of being a hundred miles away from prominent "Magnolia State" cities like Jackson, Meridian, Mobile, the Gulf Coast, and New Orleans. Eventually, though, it became a prominent college town, particularly when the University of Southern Mississippi was established within its grounds.

These days, Hattiesburg proudly hosts several important landmarks like the Saenger Theater and the Hattiesburg Zoo at Kamper Park, sites that RVers ought to visit if they wish to have a more extensive knowledge about the cultural and wildlife aspects of the city. For outdoor fun, meanwhile, golf courses are abundant here though a slightly different way to find relaxation is to smell the lovely roses displayed at the All American Rose Garden.

For a wider choice of outdoor pursuits, RVers can check in at Okatoma River Resort and RV Park where five gorgeous lakes await them, including one over one mile long where canoeing and kayaking are extremely popular. The nearby hilltop is a good area for biking while the winding roads is a walking paradise. The highlight, of course, is Okatoma River where anglers are more commonly seen.

Columbus

Named in honor of Christopher Columbus, this city features the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, a man-made structure that RVers should strive to see if only to become a member of the elite group of people who have seen this amazing invention that is said to be among the artificial landmarks visible from space.

Other places here that RVers should also try to explore carry historic tones like the Rosedale Manor where battlefield reenactments are regularly conducted and the Friendship Cemetery where an 1866 event was held that eventually brought a divided US back to unity after a devastating Civil War.

For RVers who are certified lovers of the outdoors, Columbus is a city filled with scenic beauty. To fully appreciate these, they can try checking in at Pirates Cove Campground and RV Park which should afford them basic access to several popular Columbus outdoor attractions.

DeSoto National Forest


It is considered as the biggest Mississippi national forest dominated by hardwood and pine trees interspersed with a few slash and longleaf species. Within these dense pine-covered area are abundant wildlife that includes turkeys, quails, and deers while below, forest streams incessantly flow eventually forming bottom lands.

For RVers thinking of enjoying the scenery at the DeSoto National Forest, they will not be deeply disappointed. The state forest is filled with numerous natural attractions that include diverse hiking trails and scenic picnic areas. It is not uncommon then to find picnickers and campers occupying large portions of the DeSoto.

Of course, several other outdoor activities can e enjoyed here as well. Highly popular is floating aboard a johnboat, a raft, or a canoe as this sails across the stream. Not to be outdone is fishing with catches of rare species not a totally strange occurrence.

Black Creek Wilderness and Flint Creek Water Park

Found at the northern point of Wiggins City, Black Creek Wilderness is part of a larger forest area, the De Soto National Forest. It covers about 5,000 acres and is highlighted by the Black Creek for which the forest area was named after. Black creek is a large flood plain surrounded by rows of diverse tree species that include spruce pine, rd maple, bald cypress, sweet gum, sweetbay, loblolly pine and willow oak. Here, RVers can go kayaking or canoeing although the Black Creek National Recreation Trail situated nearby should prove to be equally enticing with its ten-mile hiking path. Exploring the trail via bicycles or horses is not allowed but this is compensated by the no entrance fee policy being enforced in the forest premises.

RV riders who believe that the Black Creek Wilderness is an area worthy of their visit need not be worried about where to leave their RVs while they attempt to examine Black Creek more closely. This is because right within Wiggins, one RV park will be more than happy to welcome them and their RVs. At Flint Creek Water Park Campground, a total of 152 RV areas lie waiting for the average RVer with swimming, boating, and fishing ventures as the more common activities that RVers can try to engage in.

While Black Creek Wilderness may beckon from afar, RV-boarded visitors can opt to stay within the campground premises because the RV park itself has its own set of attractions led by a 600-acre wide lake stocked with various species of fish like catfish, crappie, bream, and bass where round-the-clock fishing is available.

Other common lake-based activities here are water skiing, swimming, and canoeing, with the rented boats uniquely made of aluminum. Nearby, the Water Town zone features four giant waterslides for adults and one small waterslide set for children.

Taking Time to Visit Mississippi

Mississippi falls under the US subtropical region, making its temperature generally mild although summer heat can reach a high of 100 degrees soaring to its highest between the months of August and September. This is definitely not a good time to explore the "Magnolia State", but if one is visiting the coastal region, the breezes there can provide the needed cool relief.

Spring time in Mississippi is usually ideal for visits to the state parks. In the eastern part of Sardis City, for example, the Sardis Reservoir of the John W. Kyle State Park is overflowing with bream, bass, and catfish during this particular season, making park fishing highly popular especially since it involves no fees.

Meanwhile, over at the Percy Quin State Park in McComb City, the mild temperature of spring helps produce lovely magnolias and loblolly pines that serve as perfect welcoming tools for visiting RVers. The resident park lake, the 700-acre wide Lake Tangipahoa, complements this with its fishing opportunities where catfish and bass are the more prominent catches.

Camp Journey's End RV Park and Campground

Uniquely settled across the backwaters of Biloxi Bay along the northeastern coast of Ocean Springs City, Camp Journey's End RV Park and Campground prides itself in being conveniently nestled near the famed Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Gulf Coast is renowned for its elegant beaches that stretch for as long as 26 miles but has additionally been a place for good fishing. Golf sites and various casino gaming areas are some of its newer attractions.

As for the RV park itself, Camp Journey's End features around 110 RV areas classified as either shaded or open-space and accompanied by access to several modern amenities like cable TV, restrooms, telephone, wireless Internet, an RV dump station, and even free escort to the assigned RV site.

Getting to Camp Journey's End is not really that difficult. RVers simply need to head north upon reaching Highway 57 and travel for about .2 miles. The RV park head sign will then be quite visible alongside The Shed BBQ Restaurant.

Memphis South Campground and RV Park

Its 82 fully hooked-up sites are all pull-through areas, which simply denotes that at Memphis South Campground and RV Park, RVers can come and settle in freely, fully confident that there is at least one available site for their RVs.

Amenities-wise, the campground is not lacking in modernity as there are phones, swimming pools, laundry areas, and bathrooms readily available for use. For the nourishment of the soul, there is even a church service being offered every Sunday.

For outdoor adventure, RVers can look forward to engaging in various water-based activities at three nearby lakes, namely, Enid Lake, Sardis Lake, and Arkabutla Lake. Otherwise, they can go tour the official home of Elvis Presley, Graceland, visit the animals at Memphis Zoo, or simply go on a shopping spree at Batesville Outlet Mall, all of which are easily accessible from the campground.

Founded on 12 acres of Coldwater City land, Memphis South Campground and RV Park can be conveniently reached when coming from Jackson City by simply heading north at Interstate 55 then towards Coldwater Exit. At Exit Ramp, head towards Highway 306 after which turn left before reaching the BP Station.

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