The US Army Corps of Engineers maintains Enid Lake as part of their dam project on the Yocona River in northern Mississippi. The purpose of the construction of the dam, completed in 1952, was to help protect the Mississippi delta from flooding. The reservoir created by the dam holds up to 16,000 acres of water, known as Enid Lake, for visitors to enjoy. The surrounding area is also a reason to visit - there are an additional 44,000 acres of land, owned and maintained by the Corps of Engineers, made up of lush forests for further outdoor recreation.
There are fifteen different recreation areas on the shores of Enid Lake. Each has its own picnic area, and some of the day-use areas have boat ramps, playgrounds, beaches, and sports courts. One of the main draws of Enid Lake is the fishing. It has long been recognized as one of the top ten fishing destinations in the U.S., and the lake's claim to fame is being the location of the largest white crappie caught. It weighed five pounds, three ounces.
Camping in a large RV or motorhome is easy at Enid Lake. There are many COE campgrounds to choose from. Five campgrounds have hookups, and most can accommodate rigs over 100 feet.
Enid Lake is a convenient destination for RV rentals. The major city of Memphis is only 80 miles south. Driving south from Memphis, you can take a slight detour to the east and spend some time exploring the Holly Springs National Forest.
Getting to and from Enid Lake in Yalobusha County presents no hazards for travelers driving larger vehicles like RVs, motorhomes, and trailers. All roads are paved within the park and are wide enough to navigate with big rigs.
Ample parking can be found for large vehicles at the campgrounds and recreation areas at Enid Lake.
The Persimmon Hill Campground is found on the banks of Enid Lake and offers 72 total campsites. All sites have full access and rigs up to 65 feet are accommodated. There are some waterfront sites and the campground is pet-friendly.
Each campsite has its own fire pit and picnic table and the driveways and parking ares are paved. There are restrooms with flush toilets and shower facilities and an abundance of recreational opportunities. There is access to an interpretive trail, a playground, and boat launch to keep the whole family active.
The largest campground at Enid lake, Wallace Creek has 101 campsites and is open year-round. The sites provide full hookups and can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 140 feet so the size of tour rig is not a concern here.
This COE campground is located on the north side of the lake and there are options for sites that are lakefront and shaded. Picnic tables and fire pits are provided and campers can use the onsite restrooms and showers.
There is a playgrounds and access to the lake for swimming at Wallace Creek Campground. You can
The Water Valley Landing Campground has 25 reservable sites with both water and electric hookups. There are restrooms and showers at a comfort station within the Water Valley Landing Recreation Area on the south side of the lake. There is a boat launch and picnic facilities within the recreation area for campers to use.
There are sites with shade and each one has its own fire pit and picnic table. The largest site can accommodate an RV, motorhome, or trailer up to 105 feet. This campground experiences closures so make sure to make a reservation in advance so that you know you have a site.
Within the Chickasaw Hill Recreation Area, on the north side of the lake, you'll find the Chickasaw Hill Campground that features 53 total campsites. This lakefront location offers easy access to the lake for swimming and boating and has picnic facilities as well. Using the onsite boat launch gets you on the water quickly.
RVs and trailers up to 104 feet can call this campground home. Forty-five sites provide both water and electric hookups, and the area is pet-friendly. There are showers, restrooms, and a playground for the kids here too.
Enid Lake is an equestrian-friendly destination. If you are traveling with horses you can stay at the Ford's Well Campground where horses are welcome. There are also two different trails within this COE park that allow horseback riding - Plum Point Trail and Spyglass Hill Trail.
The Plum Point Trail is the shorter of the two at nine miles in length. It is used by both hikers and equestrians. The other trail, Spyglass Hill, is longer spanning 20 miles in total. Spyglass Hill permits equestrians, hikers, and cyclists, so be prepared to share the trail.
When you're spending time outdoors, there's nothing worse than having to go inside to eat. At Enid Lake, the picnic facilities are plentiful so there's no reason to dine anywhere but outside unless the weather is poor.
Every recreation area has picnic sites with the most being at Persimmon Hill, Outlet Channel, and Hickory Ridge. There are also reservable shelters for larger groups or bad weather. There are 15 large shelters available in various recreation areas throughout the COE park.
At many of the sites, you'll find restrooms and playgrounds nearby. Some have access to sports facilities like volleyball and basketball as well.
Fishing is definitely one of the main reasons tourists flock to Enid Lake. The most common catches here are bream, crappie, bass, and catfish. To help guide your angling adventures, the US Army Corps of Engineers provide maps to fishing shelters at Bean Creek, Wallace Creek, and many others.
How you choose to do your fishing is really up to you at Enid Lake. You can use a boat launch to fish from your watercraft or do some bank fishing from the shoreline. Downstream from the dam, there is also an accessible fishing pier ensuring that everyone can participate in this favorite pass time.
The North Mississippi Fish Hatchery is found on the west end of the lake. It leases almost 60 acres of land from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Spawning of the various fish species occurs annually from March to June. There is an observation area in the hatchery building where visitors can view spawning activities.
Ford's Well Campground is maintained by the Army Corps but is not available for reservation online. The 18 total sites are offered on a first come, first served basis. There are both water and electric hookups available. This campground caters mostly to equestrian travelers and provides the necessary amenities like restrooms.
It is just off the Spyglass Hill Trail which is very popular for horseback riding. The site has a historical significance as well. In the early 1900s, people came from surrounding areas to bathe in therapeutic well water.
There is a trail to suit everyone at Enid Lake. Five trails ranging from short and easy to long and moderate to difficult are available to keep hikers entertained.
The three short and easy trails are the Beech Hollow Nature Trail (0.5 miles), the Water Valley Landing Trail (0.5 miles), and the Persimmon Hill Multipurpose Trail (0.6 miles). Beech Hollow is considered a self-guided nature trail and Persimmon Hill is a nature trail open to hikers and cyclists. The Water Valley Landing Trail is perfect for nature viewing.
The two longer trails, Plum Point (nine miles) and Spyglass Hill (20 miles), are used by hikers and equestrians so be prepared to share your space. In most cases, whether choosing a long or short trail, you'll be treated to excellent views of the lake.
Hikers should always stay on the trails at Lake Enid because the hazards here are real. You can end up walking through areas of poison ivy, oak, and sumac or cross paths with a venomous snake. Rattlesnake, cottonmouth, and copperhead all live in this area.
At Enid Lake, there are a total of ten boat ramps scattered throughout the various recreation areas and campgrounds. If you want to avoid the small fee charged at most of the launches, head to the Bynum Creek, Prophet Bridge, and Point Pleasant recreation areas.
When at Enid Lake, you'll see a ton of different kinds of boats from speed boats to pontoon boats to canoes and kayaks. No matter your preferred watercraft, you can use it here. Explore the shoreline's coves at a relaxing pace in your kayak or do some waterskiing with your speed boat.
There are a total of five designated swimming beaches at Enid Lake: Persimmon Hill, Hickory Ridge, Plum Point, Long Branch, and Chickasaw Hill. These sandy beaches are a wonderful place to spend a summer day relaxing and splashing in the clear water.
The beaches are unsupervised but do have safety equipment in case of emergency. The Army Corps of Engineers asks that you stick to swimming in the designated areas only. They are marked by orange buoys.
