Tishomingo County

State Parks

Tishomingo State Park — Tishomingo

Tishomingo State Park is a public recreation area located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Tishomingo County, some 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Tupelo, Mississippi. The major feature of the park is Bear Creek Canyon and its generous sandstone outcroppings.

Tishomingo State Park offers visitors seven hiking trails that range in length from ¾ to 3 miles and in difficulty from easy to moderate. The trails feature scenic natural springs, waterfalls, rocky creeks and streams, cliffs, rock walls and huge outcrops. The terrain suggests mountains, and indeed this is a part of the Appalachian range, but the hills here are no higher than about 660 feet. Rock climbing, which requires a helmet and a free permit (available at the park office), is a popular activity on the trails, particularly at the formation known as Jean's Overhang. Bear Creek is encountered at a number of points by the trail system, and can itself be explored by canoe on one of the float trips offered here.

Three popular disc golf courses are available, and an Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool is open during late spring and summer. The park provides a number of lodging options including 15 primitive campsites, two primitive Scout campsites, 62 developed RV campsites, which offer water and electricity, and seven furnished cabins.

The park's Nature Center, which re-opened in 2016, offers displays of Tishomingo county heritage, nature, art, animals, arrowheads and memorabilia from the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Amenities: Picnic area with tables and grills, picnic pavilions, lodge facility, disc golf courses, compass course, hiking trails, playgrounds, multi-use field, volleyball court, and a swimming pool. Rock climbing is available by permit. Canoe trips and fishing are available on Bear Creek. Haynes Lake, a 45 acre fresh water lake, is available for fishing.

Acreage: 590 acres

Admission: A day-use entry fee is charged for all day-use visitors. Day-use entrance fees are collected at the gatehouse.
Entrance $4 and $.50 per person over 6 people.

Hours: Open everday/24 hours

Address: 105 Co Rd 90, Tishomingo, MS 38873

Phone: (662) 438-6914

photo courtesy of Marilyn Innman

J.P. Coleman State Park - Iuka

Perched on a rocky bluff overlooking the Tennessee River J. P. Coleman State Park offers the finest in all types of water sports. Visitors experience unmatched sailing, swimming, skiing and fishing for Smallmouth bass in the sparkling waters of Pickwick Lake and enjoy camping and exploring in the untamed wilderness along the banks of the Tennessee River. J.P. Coleman State park is located on Pickwick Lake & the Tennessee River 13 miles North of Iuka off Hwy 25.

Amenities: Visitor center and conference room, marina, boat launch, picnic tables and grills, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, swimming pool, and miniature golf. Fishing, boating, and water skiing are available on Pickwick Lake, a 47,500 acre freshwater lake.

Admission: A day-use entry fee is charged on a per vehicle basis. Private vehicle entrance fee is $4.00 plus $.50 for each person over 6 people

Hours: Everyday 8AM—5PM

Address: 613 CR 321, Iuka, MS 38852

Phone: (662) 423-6515

photo courtesy of Visit Mississippi

Nature

Bear Creek Mound Information Exhibit — Tishomingo

This square, flat-topped mound was built in several stages for ceremonial or elite residential use sometime between 1100 and 1300 A.D., during the Mississippian period. Burned daub (mud plaster used in building construction) found on the mound during archeological excavation indicates the former presence of a temple or chief's house. A small, contemporaneous habitation area is located to the south and east of the mound. When acquired by the National Park Service the mound had been greatly reduced in height by plowing. Following excavation in 1965, the mound was restored to its estimated original dimensions of about eight feet high by 85 feet across the base.

Admission: Free

Hours: Open everyday dawn to dusk

Address: located along the Natchez Trace Parkway (milepost 308.8), about 45 miles northeast of Tupelo, Mississippi, at the Alabama state line. Open to the public daily, free of charge.
Latitude: 34.64436
Longitude: -88.132666

photo courtesy of Visit Mississippi

Museums

Old Tishomingo County Courthouse Museum - IukA

The mission of the Old Tishomingo County Courthouse Museum is to collect, preserve, study, exhibit, properly interpret and stimulate knowledge and appreciation for the County’s history and culture that collectively represent the broadest spectrum of human achievement at the highest level of quality, all in the service of the public and in accordance with the highest professional standards.

Hours: Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 9:30AM–4:30PM
Thursday: 9:30AM–4:30PM
Friday: 9:30AM–4:30PM
Saturday: 9AM–12PM

Address: 203 E Quitman St, Iuka, MS 38852

Phone: (662) 423-3500

photo courtesy of Old Courthouse Museum

Local Parks

Historic Mineral Springs Park — Iuka

Flowing springs, pavilion, playground, historic dogtrot house, covered bridge over Indian Creek, paved walkways, tennis courts

Address: 512 E Quitman St, Iuka, MS 38852

photo courtesy of Tishomingo County Tourism Council