Tombigbee State Park is a tree-lined park located on the shores of Lake Lee just outside of Tupelo, Mississippi that is perfect for a peaceful getaway. Many people travel to the city of Tupelo, Mississippi on their way to and from some of the major cities in the area and Tombigbee State Park is also well worth the visit.
Widely known as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo is also home to the Natchez Trace Parkway. The Natchez Trace was once a path that Native Americans traveled on over 8,000 years ago. Today, the Parkway runs 444 miles from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. The Parkway is a National Scenic Drive spanning three states and offers scenic pull-offs and recreational activities like hiking and biking trails along the Parkway. While visiting the park, you can learn about the history and inhabitants of the Parkway by heading to the Visitor Center to view the exhibits and speak with park rangers.
The main recreational attraction at the park is Tombigbee Lake. Here, you can take out your boat and do some exploring, or cast out a line and try to catch the big one. The park is also home to two fantastic disc golf courses and a day-use area that has something for everyone.
Get ready to enjoy some wonderful campground amenities if you choose to stay at the Tombigbee State Park campground. There are 20 campsites to choose from with either full hookups or water and electricity only, along with three group camping areas and eight cabins. Peak season at Tombigbee State Park runs from April to October.
Driving to and from Tombigbee State Park is very straightforward since it is located approximately six miles southeast of Tupelo. Since there is a looped road that encompasses the perimeter of the park, there are plenty of access points, but the most common is via Cabin Drive. All of the roads in the area are well maintained so you won't have to worry about any obstacles that would damage your RV.
If you need to get any supplies before your trip, there are plenty of places in the area that can stop. Tupelo will have the most options available for you, but if you are coming from the southeast you can stop into Smithville or Amory. The closest major cities to the park are Memphis (around 121 miles away), and Birmingham (around 132 miles away).
One thing to take note of is that the campground road is known for being tight, so proceed with caution if you have a rig that is around 40 feet long or larger. You shouldn't have to worry about any adverse weather conditions during your visit, but if you are concerned about the forecast it is recommended that you call ahead to the park office before you depart.
If you are traveling to the park with your RV, you will be pleased to note that Tombigbee State Park has a fantastic RV campground waiting for you to call home. Featuring a total of 20 sites, the campground is on the smaller side so you can expect a tight squeeze if you have an RV that is on the larger side.
You have the choice of two site options at the campground. Eighteen sites are equipped with full hookups, while the remaining two sites still have water and electric connections, but you won't be able to use a sewer hookup here. All of the paved campsites offer back-in driveways and are also equipped with a picnic table, grill, and fire ring.
The campground is a pet-friendly facility that has restrooms, showers, laundry, and a dump station closely located to many of the individual campsites. Campers should make a reservation during the peak season to ensure there is availability since the campground does have limited space.
Another great accommodation option for visitors to Tombigbee State Park are the eight cabins that are available for rent. Located to the northwest of the main camping loop, the cabins are right near the edge of the lake so get ready for some gorgeous views. Seven cabins are suitable for up to four guests while the ADA-accessible cabin can accommodate up to six people at a time.
Equipped with heating, cooling, a basic kitchen, electricity, a fireplace, and a TV, the cabins are kept in great condition. Keep in mind that pets aren't allowed, so you will have to look elsewhere if you are traveling with your furry friend. There is also one cottage available that features two bedrooms with reservations available up to 24 months prior to your arrival.
The Visitor Center sits on the banks of Lake Lee and is a must-visit during your trip to Tombigbee State Park. Filled with interesting facts about the fauna and flora in the area, the Visitor Center is also where you can find the team of park rangers. If you have any questions about the park, you can stop by and inquire about what is happening and they also may have some handy tips for you to make the most of your stay.
Get outside and enjoy the lush green scenery by packing the family lunch and spending time at one of the 37 lakeside picnic sites. Bring meat or some veggies for the grill and relax at your picnic table overlooking Lake Lee. After your meal settles, take the kids to the playground, or gather a group together to play volleyball, football, or soccer at the courts and multi-use field area. The day-use facilities are well worth your time, so make the most of them!
The park hosts many annual events that bring visitors to the area throughout the year, so make sure to check the schedule on the park website before your arrival. The park's annual events are the April Fool's Fling Disc Golf Tournament, Earth Day in May, and Kids to Parks Day in July to celebrate the park's birthday. The town of Tupelo also hosts many annual events that bring people to the area, and often these events bring visitors to the park. From Elvis Presley themed events to the Tupelo Hot Air Balloon Festival, there is something to do and see almost every month.
Thinking about visiting Tombigbee State Park with a group? If so, you can participate in some group camping thanks to the three group camping areas. The main group campsite can accommodate up to 25 people and is primitive, but there are also a further two sites equipped with electric hookups that are suitable for up to eight campers. Both of the overflow group camping areas are also ADA-accessible, so nobody will miss out on the fun.
It is important to note that all of the group camping areas are suitable for tents only, so if you have an RV you won't be able to bring it to these camping areas.
Along with being able to use the sites that are also RV-friendly, tent camping is also possible at four primitive sites that are also available for tents. These primitive sites are suitable for up to eight guests, and all of them are also pet-friendly. You won't have any restroom facilities in this area of the campground, so be prepared to walk to the main campground loop if you would like to use these facilities. Like the other sites within the campground, these tent-only sites can be reserved all year round.
Lake Lee, a 90-acre freshwater lake, is one of the park’s most popular features. The park does not rent boats, so only visitors with their own boats can access the boat ramp if they wish to do some fishing, which is conveniently located near a large trailer parking area. The lake is not a skiing or water recreation lake, so people using boats should obey the trolling speed limit on the water. If you do want to fish, try and catch bass, bream, and catfish from your boat or the shoreline. Mississippi law requires that all people between the ages of 16 to 65 possess a fishing license. Visitors may purchase a permit at the park office for a small fee.
Disc golf is a free family activity for people who are willing to give a unique sport a chance. If you or your family haven’t tried disc golf before, rent a frisbee from the park office and see what this sport is all about. The park has two 18-hole, par-three courses, so there are plenty of places to play that will keep you entertained. The courses run through the park’s wooded hills and give participants plenty of beautiful scenery along the rolling trail.
If you are looking for a quiet outdoor activity, venture out on the Tree Trunk Trail for a leisurely day hike. The path is a one-mile hike that winds through the trees and along Lake Lee. If you’d like a longer walk, you can repeat the trail as many times as needed. For more information on the hiking trail, stop by the park office and speak with the park rangers or park staff.
