Under two hours south of Memphis, Grenada Lake, in north Mississippi, is an outdoor paradise. Originally constructed for flood control, this large lake has become an increasingly popular recreation area for both land and water activities. Visitors spend their days swimming in the clear water, fishing for crappie, and boating around the expanse of shoreline. Hiking and picnicking are an ideal break from the water when needed.
Fed by both the Skuna and Yalobusha Rivers, the lake's 35,000 acres of water is a reservoir created through the construction of the Grenada Lake dam. Built on the Yalobusha River by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam protects the entire Yazoo River Basin from flooding.
The area around Grenada Lake is rich in history and provides the chance to visit many landmarks like the Belle Flower Church, a confederate monument, and a historical fort. On your drive from Memphis, you can take a small detour to reach the Holly Springs National Forest or the St. Francis National Forest before getting to Grenada Lake.
The lake has enough camping options to please everyone. You can get shaded or sunny spots and be waterfront or inland. There are options for primitive camping as well as sites with full hookups. Whether you're looking for rustic or convenient camping, Grenada Lake has the perfect campsite.
The drive from Memphis Tennessee is simple and straightforward. You'll head 82 miles south on I-55, large, paved highway and then east on MS 8, also paved, for three miles. Large RVs and trailers will navigate these roads painlessly. As you get closer to the lake, the only thing to watch out for is debris on the road, wildlife like deer, and low hanging branches.
All the day use areas and campgrounds have parking that should be able to accommodate larger rigs. They do fill up early in peak season so getting there early is the best way to ensure you get a suitable parking spot.
The North Graysport COE campground is open year-round and has a total of 50 campsites. All the sites have both water and electric hookups and there are sewer hookups at 18 campsites. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring and many will accommodate rigs up to 42 feet. The location of this campground is ideal for fishing - it's between the Yalobusha and Skuna Rivers.
In addition to a prime location, North Graysport features amenities like flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station. There is an onsite boat ramp and an amphitheater. Pets are welcome here and reservations are accepted online in advance.
The North Abutment Campground is found on Grenada Lake on the north shore by the dam. There are options for waterfront campsites here in the summer when water levels are high. In the off-season, when water levels are decreased, the campground can be up to a mile from the lake. There is a total of 88 campsites, all with water and electric hookups. Sites #2-15 have sewer hookups as well.
Trailers and RVs up to 70 feet in length can call this COE campground home. There are 56 sites that can be reserved online in advance and the other 32 are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
There is an amphitheater onsite and a boat ramp located just outside the campground. The 17-acre lake at the North Abutment Campground offers a swimming beach and is stocked with fish like catfish, bass, and bream. Showers and restrooms round out the facilities.
Your first stop when you reach Grenada Lake should be the visitor center. You can get all the information you'll need to plan the perfect trip with details on recreational activities as well as local attractions.
A highlight of the Visitor Center is the overlook. Spend some time taking in the panoramic views of Grenada Lake and the surrounding countryside.
Aside from the amazing views, there are other great things to do here. There is a theater for educational films and it's a good place to learn about the lake itself. There are exhibits demonstrating both the culture and history that have impacted the area.
Grenada Lake boasts a total of five designated swimming beaches around the lake. These are located at the Cape Retreat, Grenada Landing Main Beach, Oak Grove, Old Fort, and Willow Run Day-Use Areas. Swimming is unsupervised and permitted inside the buoy lines only.
The water at this COE lake is clear and refreshing. The sandy beaches tend to provide gradual access to the water making them great for kids. They do get busy in the summer so get there early to secure your ideal spot.
Boating could not be any easier than on Grenada Lake. The US Army Corps of Engineers provides 16 boat launch ramps to help you get your craft on the water. Enjoy a day on the water in a speed boat, pontoon boat, or just paddle around in a canoe or kayak.
There are opportunities for fishing and water skiing and the almost 150 miles of shoreline are just waiting to be explored. Depending on which ramp you use, there may be a small fee to launch your boat.
There are an additional five campgrounds around Grenada Lake that are considered primitive and all available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Old Fort Campground has 21 dry camping sites and Skuna-Turkey and Bryant have six campsites each. At Bryant, you can choose from sites with a water hookup or both electric and water hookups. At Choctaw, there are a further 5 primitive sites and Gums Crossing has 14 campsites available.
There are no real amenities or services here so be prepared to bring your own drinking water and pack out what you pack in.
Grenada Lake has a total of four hiking trails for visitors to explore. There is the Physical Fitness Trail which is suitable for both beginner and experienced hikers. The one-mile trail is mostly flat and takes you to 18 exercise stations. Each of the stations has three difficulty levels.
For nature lovers, check out the Old River Run Nature Trail and the Haserway Wetland Management Area Nature Trail. Both of these scenic trails are rated easy to moderate and are excellent for wildlife viewing.
For hikers that are experienced and physically fit, Lost Bluff is likely the best trail to tackle. The terrain is rough and has easy areas as well as strenuous ones with steps and sections that are steep and winding. Hikers will travel past a Civil War fort and are rewarded with an overlook with a view over the emergency spillway.
There are almost too many picnic sites at Grenada Lake to choose from. In fact, in total, there are over 130 picnic sites and seven picnic shelters. The picnic shelters can be reserved in advance.
The most popular picnic areas are Grenada Landing and South Abutment. Each has at least 50 picnic sites to accommodate visitors and provide a good place to set up for the day. If you pick right, you can grill up lunch while the rest of your group swims or plays on the beach. There are usually restrooms and drinking water nearby for your convenience.
Whether you prefer to fish from shore or from a boat, there are ample angling opportunities at Grenada Lake. Pick a spot on the Outlet Channel for excellent fishing from the banks of the lake or tour around on your boat to find the perfect secluded and quiet location.
Many fishing tournaments are held throughout the year at this COE lake. Most of the tournaments are centered around crappie fishing but there are plenty of other species to catch here. You can also find catfish, bream, and bass.
There are size and creel limits at Grenada Lake so make sure you check the regulations with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks before you venture out.
