With over 60,000 acres of bottomland hardwood groves and wetlands, Delta National Forest is the perfect southern RV retreat. Dozens of miles of multi-use trails in the area cut across the lowlands and take you along the rivers that cut through the forest. Most of the trails can be used for hiking, mountain biking, and ATVing, giving you multiple ways to explore the forest.
Hunting is a popular activity in the forest, with a wide range of game species populating the area. White-tailed deer and hogs are the game of choice, and you’ll also be able to hunt for a migratory bird species, including duck, coot, and goose. The area is a popular haunt for birdwatchers, who come to the forest during the spring and fall to watch migrations. Anglers will also get their fill in the forest, with a number of lakes and ponds in the area.
The marshland of the forest is home to over 50 RV sites, which are scattered throughout the area. The sites are very private, allowing you to camp without any disturbances. You’ll be near plenty of fishing, hiking, hunting at all of the sites. If you want to get a taste of some unique Mississippi swamps and bottomland hardwoods, head on in your campervan to Delta National Forest.
Delta National Forest is located outside of Jackson in western Mississippi. The forest is fairly remote, with marshy bottomland that often floods. Although you can get to many RV sites in the forest without issues, some are tucked deep into the Bayou, making it difficult to access them with large rigs.
If you are driving from Jackson, take I-20 to US-61, and you’ll be able to get to the forest in around an hour and a half. From New Orleans, take I-55 out of the city, and you’ll arrive in roughly four hours. Coming from Memphis, take US-61 south, and you’ll reach the forest in about three and a half hours.
Although it’s usually easy to access most of the main RV sites in the forest, the area floods frequently. Take extra caution when visiting the area after a storm, and monitor water levels of the Mississippi River. Some of the sites are fairly remote, so look at the map and choose one that is closer to main roads if have a large campervan.
There are 57 sites that are directly managed by the Forest Service, dispersed throughout the area. The sites all have great privacy, allowing you to camp without neighbors. None of the sites have hookups of any kind, although they do have gravel pads, fire pits, and picnic tables. There are no toilets by most of the sites, but there restrooms located along Roads 715, 717, 720, and 707. You can access drinking water by visiting the Delta Work Center on Forest Service Road 703. Most sites have a maximum RV or trailer length of 30 feet.
Surrounded by the lakes and marshes of the delta, you’ll be able to hike, fish, and canoe from near your camping area. The exact activities available will depend on the location of your site. All of the sites in the campground must be reserved at least 48 hours advance. You should try to book as early as possible if you are visiting during peak times in the spring. Pets are welcome to stay with you.
With over 20 hiking trails to choose from, you can explore the vast expanse of marshland and dense groves of cypress trees. You can also find interpretive trails, such as the one at Blue Lake Recreation Area, which highlight some of the area’s unique natural features.
Do take caution while hiking, as many of the trails flood throughout the year. Off-trail hiking is not recommended. Hiking in the summer can be quite hot, so try to get started early in the day, and make sure to pack plenty of water.
The miles of rivers and numerous ponds in the forest give you plenty of water to explore. You can take a boat out onto one of the lakes found in the forest. A number of lakes in the area have boat launches, including Blue Lake and South Greentree Reservoir. There are no boat rentals offered by forest officials, so you’ll need to bring your own along with your rig or rent one from a nearby business.
Most of the 20 trails in the forest are open to off-road vehicles, allowing you to explore the marshland at high speed. You can also access the Chickasaw ATV Trail, a 12-mile long route that cuts through the forest. Do take caution while cutting through the Sunflower Wildlife Management Area, as not all trails are open to off-road vehicles. Most of the trails are shared with hikers and mountain bikers, so slow down when coming around sharp corners.
The bottomland forest is also a popular hunting retreat, with a wide range of game species in the area. Deer and hogs are the most commonly hunted game, and you’ll also find a number of waterfowl and small game species. The winding rivers and dense cypress groves make every hunt interesting, and give game plenty of cover. Make sure you have all of the proper Mississippi licenses before you hunt in any area of the forest.
The miles of rivers and variety of lakes in the forest give anglers plenty of places to cast a line. You can fish at Blue Lake Recreation Area, South Greentree Reservoir, and along most of the smaller rivers that cut through the forest. Popular catches include crappie, catfish, and bream, and you’ll find dozens of other species in the water. You’ll need a valid Mississippi fishing license if you plan on fishing in the forest.
The cypress groves of the forest are home to dozens of bird species, making it one of the most popular birdwatching spots in the state. Spring and fall are the best times to visit the area, as you can catch birds as they migrate north or south. The forest is near the Great River Birding Trail, and sits in the middle of the Mississippi Flyway, one of the major migratory routes for birds. With so many birds to spot, don't forget your binoculars in your camper or camping trailer.
