Trace State Park

Trace State Park offers a quiet, natural retreat located just minutes from the excitement of Tupelo, one of Mississippi's fastest growing cities. Trace State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities ranging from fishing and water sports to exploring miles of secluded nature trails. A special arrangement with the Pontotoc Country Club allows Trace State Park guests to enjoy the club's 18-hole golf course without paying green fees. Trace State Park also adds to Mississippi's History as within the park was once called home of one America's early and colorful pioneers, Davy Crockett. Crockett lived here as a horse trader with the Chickasaw Indians after his defeat for re-election to Congress in his home state of Tennessee. It was while living here he learned of his friend, Sam Houston's plight in Texas and traveled there to help and was later killed in the Battle of the Alamo.

Amenities

Park Directions 

Google Map (link)
Directions (PDF download)

Area Attractions
The following attractions are located within a short drive of Trace State Park. The park staff will be happy to provide you with directions.
Trace State Park Location Map Brochure (PDF download)

• Tupelo Buffalo Park
• Natchez Trace Parkway Visitors Center (Tupelo)
• Birthplace of Elvis Presley (Tupelo)
• Tupelo City Museum (Tupelo)
• Vanity Fair Outlet Mall (Tupelo)
• Elvis Presley State Lake (Tupelo) 
• Lake Lamar Bruce State Lake (Saltillo) 
• Barnes Crossing Mall (Tupelo)
• Tombigbee State Park
• Tombigbee National Forest
• Holly Springs National Forest
• Brice's Cross Roads Civil War Museum and Battlefield (Baldwyn)
• Tupelo National Battlefield (Tupelo)
• Upper Sardis Wildlife Management Area
• Chickasaw Wildlife Management Area
• Pontotoc County Museum (Old Post Office-Pontotoc)
• Pontotoc County Historic Tour, Drive at your own pace brochure/map. (PDF download)
• Union County Heritage Museum (New Albany)
• William Faulkner Birthplace (New Albany)
• City of New Albany
• NOTE: Bordering, but not affiliated with the park, is the Pontotoc Country Club's 18-hole golf course. Green fees are waived for cabin and campground guests of Trace State Park. Contact the park.

Annual Events
February                        Tupelo Furniture Market (Tupelo)
                                        Fun Ride

May
May                                Tupelo Blue Suede Cruise  (Tupelo)
May                                Dudies Burger Festival  (Tupelo)
May                                Gum Tree Festival (Tupelo)
May                                Youth Fishing Rodeo, Trace State Park 
May 31- June 3, 2012     Elvis Presley Festival  (Tupelo)

June
May 31- June 3, 2012       Elvis Presley Festival  (Tupelo)
June 8, 2012                     Children's Discovery Day/ Living History and Skirmish  (Brice's Crossroads National Battlefield)

July
July 13 - 21, 2012              Pontotoc County Fair (Pontotoc)

September
September 21-22, 2012      Bodock Festival (Pontotoc)

August
August 16-19, 2012           Tupelo Furniture Market (Tupelo)   

ORV (Off Road Vehicle) Trail
Trace State Park features 35 miles of trails that can be utilized by ATV's, motorcycles, horse and mountain bikes. Helmets are required for any ORV. No double riding is permitted unless rated so by the manufacturer of vehicle.  Requirement:  Persons operating or riding on an ATV must possess a valid driver's licenses or possess a All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Course Certificate. Other restrictions apply and may be viewed by downloading the ORV Trail Brochure and Mississippi Code § 63-31-3.  Release forms must be on file (yearly) at the park office for each user and may also be downloaded below.  A daily fee is charged.
Mississippi Code § 63-31-3 Operating All-Terrain Vehicles (pdf download)
Trace State Park ORV Trail Brochure
Trace State Park Off Road Vehicle Trail Release Adult
Trace State Park Off Road Vehicle Trail Release  Minor 
All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute  (www.atvsafety.org)

Developed Camping
Trace State Park offers 52 sites available for RV camping, featuring picnic tables, and grills.  All sites have full hookups (electric, water, and sewer). Two bathhouses with hot showers, laundromat and a central sewage dumping station are located in the developed camping area. A playground is located in the Deer Run Campground area.  All sites are reservable.   Reservations are highly recommended and may be made up to 24 months in advance by clicking onto the link on this web page for Reserve America, calling 1-800-Go Parks (467-2757) or by contacting the Park Office.
Trace State Park Campground Brochure (PDF download)

Mountain Bike Trails 
Trace State Park features 35 miles of trails that can be utilized by ATV's, motorcycles, horse and mountain bikes. Helmets are required for ATV's and motorcycles.  A separate trail may also be used dedicated to only mountain bike riders.  Contact park office for details on mountain bike riding.  Release forms must be on file (yearly) at the park office for each user and may also be downloaded below.  A fee is charged. 
Trace State Park Trail Release Adult (PDF download)
Trace State Park Trail Release Minor(PDF download)

Tent Camping
Ten shaded sites along the lake are available for primitive camping.   Tent camping is also allowed in our developed campground however the developed camping rates apply. 
Trace State Park Campgound Brochure (PDF download)

Cabins
Trace State Park features ten air-conditioned cabins accommodating two to six persons, each equipped with bed and bath linens and basic kitchen equipment. Cabins feature outdoor grills and back porches and are located lakeside overlooking Trace Lake.  Please note some cabins are listed as cabins and are rented as such, but may be mobile home units (these units are listed "MH006 and MH007, etc.").  Reservations are highly recommended and may be made up to 24 months in advance by clicking onto the link on this web page for Reserve America, calling 1-800-Go Parks (467-2757) or by contacting the Park Office.  Other rules and regulations may apply and may be viewed by downloading the attached cabins brochure.
Trace State Park Cabin Brochure (PDF download)

Golf
Bordering, but not affiliated with Trace State Park is Pontotoc Country Club's 18-hole golf  course, in which Trace State Park's overnight guest may be entitled to free GREEN FEES for up to two persons per stay/receipt.  No play is allowed on tournament dates, other restrictions may apply and extra fee are applied for rentals.  For more information please contact the park office or you may log onto the Pontotoc Country Club's Website  or by calling (662) 489-1962 for more information.

Picnic Area/Pavilion
Twenty-five picnic sites featuring tables and barbecue grills are located throughout the park, many affording views of Trace Lake.
A large picnic pavilion is available by reservation, providing the ideal spot for company picnics, family reunions, and church and school outings.

Nature Trail
Trace State Park Nature Trail offers a unique landscape of upland pine, hardwoods, and wetland forest.   Also of interest, hikers may use our ORV Trails area which features 35 miles of trails that can be utilized by ATV's, motorcycles, horse, mountain bikes as well as the occasional hiker.  More indepth information may be view by downloading the below brochure. 
Trace State Park Nature Trail Brochure/Map (PDF download)

 
Equestrian Trail
Trace State Park offers equestrian lovers a wide range of trails use.  A trail dedicated to equestrian and mountain bike users is set aside for dedicated use.  This trail meanders through a canopy of hardwoods and pines, great views of the lake along the way and if so desired you may enter the ORV Trails Area.  A vast complexity of 35-miles of combined usage trails for ORV's, mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrian users.  Also available in our ORV Trails Area is a horse barn for overnight accommodations and may be reserved by contacting the park office.   Limited camping is allowed in this area (ORV-Horse Barn and Restroom Area) on a first come first serve basis.  A map of our ORV Trails Brochure may be helpfull and may be downloaded below.  Release forms must be on file (yearly) at the park office for each user and may also be downloaded below.  A daily fee is charged.
Trace State Park ORV Trail Brochure (PDF download)
Trace State Park Trail Release Adult (PDF download)
Trace State Park Trail Release Minor

Playground
Trace features two playgrounds for park guest enjoyment:  The main playground is located in our day use area and is open to all park guest.   The second is located in the Deer Run Campgound area and is limited to Campers use only.

Boat Launching
Trace Lake offers 565 acres of freshwater for fishing and water sports. Ramps are provided for those who wish to launch their own boats. A fee is charged.
Trace Lake Depth Map (MDWFP link)

Water skiing
Trace Lake offers 565 acres of freshwater for water sports. Water skiing is allowed year-round. A fee is charged.

Fishing
Trace Lake offers 565 acres of fresh water for fishing and water sports. The lake is stocked with bass, catfish, redear, bluegill and crappie. A Mississippi fishing license is required for all persons ages 16 through 64. Out-of-state guests 16 and older are required to have Mississippi fishing license. License may be purchased during office hours at the park office. Boat ramps are provided for those who wish to launch their own boats.  A fee is charged.
Trace State Depth Map (MDWFP link)
Trace Lake Fishing Report (Feb. thru Nov.-MDWFP link)
Fishing License Information (MDWFP link)

Laundry Facilities
A coin operated laundry facility is available in the Eagle Ridge Campground Restroom Complex.  

Disc Golf
Old Warrior Run Disc Golf Course
Trace State Park has 18 holes of disc golf excitement. Old Warrior Run is the first North Mississippi long arm course. Disc course is open to the public, free of charge, however, the normal entrance fee is required.
Southern National Disc Golf Association
Disc Golf Helpful links:    

• Tupelo Disc Golf 
• Southern Nations Disc Golf