Tombigbee National Forest is located in northeastern Mississippi. Once an abandoned farmland, it has been transformed into a thriving landscape of rolling hills, pine and hardwood forests, and abundant wildlife. Interspersed with private farms and woodlots, the forest covers several counties and offers diverse opportunities for outdoor activities.
Camping in Tombigbee National Forest
Tombigbee National Forest offers well-maintained campgrounds that provide a variety of amenities for RVers, tent campers, and those looking to enjoy outdoor recreation in a serene setting. Here are thetop options for Tombigbee National Forest RV camping:
Campgrounds in Tombigbee National Forest
Private Campgrounds Near TombigbeeNational Forest
Check out the top campgrounds in Mississippi before planning your trip to the forest. When camping near Tombigbee National Forest, you can look for campgrounds in cities like Hattiesburg or Jackson. Also, check out the nearest RV dump stations for convenient RV waste disposal.
Campgrounds by Lakes/Rivers for Fishing and Water Activities
$23 per day
Budget-friendly Campgrounds in Tombigbee National Forest
$12 per day
Tombigbee National Forest Hiking Trails
Here are the hikes you can consider when staying at campgrounds near Tombigbee National Forest:
Easy Hikes for Beginners
Distance: 2.2 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.2 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
Challenging Trails for Hikers
Distance: 24.3 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 9.1 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10.5 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Lakeside Trails
Distance: 2.11 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.9 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
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Noxubee Hills Outer Loop
This trail winds through 26.8 miles of forest, sometimes utilizing old service, gravel, and dirt roads that are now closed to motor vehicle traffic. Mountain bikers are also welcome to make use of the trail. If you are looking for a backpacking adventure, this trail offers a few primitive camping sites along the way. So, grab your camping gear and spend a night under the stars. Bikers, hikers, and campers must wear blaze orange during hunting season.
Length: 26.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
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Lakeside Trail
This gravel-lined trail winds around the perimeter of Choctaw Lake. The Lakeside Trail is open to cyclists but is generally used by hikers. Boardwalk areas allow access over spillways, and there are sheltered benches for resting along the trail.
Length: 2.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
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Beaver Lodge Trail
This point-to-point trail is a primarily flat trek through the hardwood bottomlands near Choctaw Lake. Hikers will also pass through groves of pine and over the beaver dams built at the Noxubee River. The Beaver Lodge Trail ends at Walker Woods. Hikers can turn around and return to the trailhead or branch off on the Splashing Dog Trail to complete a loop. Hunters are active in the area, and visitors must wear blaze orange clothing during hunting season for safety.
Length: 1.5 miles point to point
Intensity: Moderate
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Splashing Dog Trail
The Splashing Dog trail takes hikers on a scenic hike along the banks of the Noxubee River. From this trail, visitors will be able to view the beaver pond before crossing a small footbridge and winding their way over gently rolling forested hills. Visitors must wear blaze orange clothing for safety during hunting season.
Length: 1.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
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North Trail
The North Trail is one of the most remote and challenging trails in the area. The North trail climbs a half-mile into the hills over rough terrain. Blue ribbons along the trailside mark rare and endangered plant life. This trail is suitable for both hiking and mountain biking. Because this is an area also used by hunters, you must wear blaze orange clothing for safety during hunting season.
Length: 3.3 miles point to point
Intensity: Difficult
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Long Bridge Trail
The Long Bridge Trail leads visitors through hardwood and pine-forested areas before emerging at a creek bottom. Hikers and bikers will cross the creek via the longest bridge in the trail system. The trail then winds through the forested bottomlands before ending in a steep climb back through the forest.
Length: 1.2 miles point to point
Intensity: Moderate
How to get to Tombigbee National Forest
Address: Highway 15 South, Ackerman, Mississippi 39735
Fee: Entry fee $0
By Car
From Jackson, Mississippi, Tombigbee National Forest is about a 2.5-hour drive. To access the forest areas, take I-55 N.
From Biloxi, Mississippi: Approximately a 4.5-hour drive. Head north on I-59 N to reach the forest's southern sections.
From Hattiesburg, Mississippi: Tombigbee is about three and a half hours away. Follow I-59 N and US 45 to the forest.
By Air
The nearest airports to Tombigbee National Forest are:
Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN): Located about 150 miles from the forest, this is the closest major airport.
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT): Approximately 290 miles away, this airport offers additional flight options.
Seasonal Restrictions
Certain trails, campgrounds, and recreational areas within Tombigbee National Forest may be closed during heavy rainfall or extreme weather conditions. Before planning your visit, check the forest's official website for any current restrictions.
Fees in Tombigbee National Forest
Tombigbee National Forest operates under a fee system for some recreational areas.
Mississippi Adventure Pass: $50 for unlimited day use at participating recreation areas within the Mississippi National Forests for one year.
Mississippi Annual Forest-wide OHV Pass: $60 for year-round access to OHV trails across the forest.
America the Beautiful Pass: Grants access to federal recreation sites nationwide, including Tombigbee National Forest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tombigbee National Forest
Is there a fee to get into Tombigbee National Forest?
No, there is no fee to get into Tombigbee National Forest. However, there may be additional fees or permits needed for recreational activities or for using certain areas of the forest such as day-use areas.
Is Tombigbee National Forest open all year round?
Yes, Tombigbee National Forest is open all year-round. There are many outdoor activities that visitors can do all year, including hiking, biking, and using the Chickasaw ATV Trail unless weather conditions force it to close.
What is the best time to visit Tombigbee National Forest?
The best time to visit Tombigbee National Forest is in either spring or fall. The summer crowds are gone, and visitors can watch birds migrate to warmer areas for winter, or back to cooler spots for summer.
Do you need a permit to fish or hunt in Tombigbee National Forest?
Yes, you need a permit to hunt in Tombigbee National Forest. If you are between the ages of 16-64, you'll also need a fishing license to fish in the forest.
Can you kayak, canoe, or raft in Tombigbee National Forest?
Yes, you can kayak, canoe, and raft in Tombigbee National Forest. Choctaw Lake has a boat ramp canoes and other watercraft can use, and there are plenty of spots around the lake where non-motorized boaters can put in. There are other lakes and rivers in the forest as well.
