Clarkco State Park in Mississippi http://home.mdwfp.com/Parks/ParksInfo.aspx?id=84&lc=615 is 815 acres of rolling hills and woodlands. It has a beautiful 65 acre lake for boating, fishing and swimming and offers cabins for rent or camp sites. Since 1938, it has been a recreation spot loved by the local people as well as by people from far. It is a restful place for a getaway, a family vacation or business conferences. It is located 20 miles south of Meridian, Mississippi off of U.S. 45.
Clarkco State Park has marked nature trails, lots of water sport and play, lighted tennis courts for day and night playing, large pavilions for picnickers, a camp store and visitor’s center with meeting rooms. Within a short drive there is the Bienville National Forest, Historic Homes and Jimmie Rodgers Museum. There are also two wildlife management areas the Okatibbee Wildlife Management area and the Tallahalla Wildlife Management area.
There are two levels of camping, developed camping and primitive camping. The developed camping has 43 sites with electrical, sewer and water hook-ups with picnic tables and grills. There are two bathhouses with hot showers and a central sewage dumping station. A little further away are 15 tent camping sites. Each has a picnic table, fire ring with water nearby. Pets are allowed on a 6 foot leash. Call 1-800-467-2757 for reservations.
Vacation cabins are also available. There are 20 air-conditioned cabins that accommodate 2 to 8 people. Each furnished cabin has bed and bath linens, a private pier and a view of Clarkco Lake. These cabins are very popular and it is recommended a reservation be made especially during the summer season. No pets are allowed in the cabins
A Visitor Center houses the park office, a meeting room that can accommodate 100 people and a camp store with groceries and Mississippi souvenirs. Perfect for mixing business with pleasure, call 601 776-6651 for information on seating capacity, facilities and costs. The park also has an outdoor amphitheater that may be used for no charge. this is especially fun for school or club groups for amateur theater.
Arranged around Clarkco Lake are 60 picnic sites each with a table, barbecue grill, and they are located near playground equipment in shaded areas. 3 large picnic pavilions are also available by reservation that are ideal for family gatherings, school or church outings and company picnics. They also have kitchen facilities for a fee that need to be reserved.
The activities at Clarkco State Park are numerous for children as well as adults. There are five miles of nature trails for vigorous or casual walking. On the trail, at the Spring Island Rest Area there is a bubbling natural spring. Along with the playground equipment, there is a Splash Pad Water Area with zero depth and fun for children and adults. It is free for the price of admission to the park which is on a vehicle basis for day use. For family or group gatherings there are playing fields for softball and other activities. There is also a nine-hole disc golf course. The two lighted tennis courts have basketball goals available.
For serious water sport Clarkco Lake has a boat launch for anyone with their own boat. There is freshwater fishing, swimming and water skiing. No jet skis are allowed, but a 115 HP boat for water skiing is fine between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.
Clarkco State Park has a quiet and restful atmosphere even when the cabins and campsites are full. For a day, weekend or longer stay, it offers great fun for children to have a big space where they can play outdoors.