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)

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 Brochure (PDF)

• 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
• Adkins Farms (Booneville)
• Johnson Gladious Farm (Rienzi)
• 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)
• Union County Heritage Museum (New Albany)
• William Faulkner Birthplace and Literary Garden(New Albany)
• Mississippi Blues Markers and Related exhibit at Union County Heritage Museum  (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
Boat Show (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
Spring Tupelo Furniture Market (Tupelo)

March
Tuuelo Flea Market & Gun Show  (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)

April
Azalea Festival  (Tupelo Veterans Park)
Tupelo Flea Market & Gun Show  (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
April 26-28, 2013 Spring Flea Market & Gun Show  (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)

May
May 11 -12, 2013   Gum Tree Festival 42nd (Tupelo Downtown)
May 15-19, 2013  10th Annual Tupelo Film Festival  (Tupelo Downtown) 
May 18, 2013  Down From the Hills annual State of Mississippi Bluegrass Competition.  Fiddle, Dobro, Banjo, Guitar and Mandolin, youth and adult. www.mississippifiddlers.com , Union County Fairgrounds

June
June 6 -9, 2013  Tupelo Elvis Festival  (Tupelo Downtown)
June 7-9, 2013 Tupelo Flea Market  (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
Children's Discovery Day/ Living History and Skirmish
 (Brice's Crossroads National Battlefield)

July
July    Pontotoc County Fair (Pontotoc)

August
August 9 - 11, 2013 Tupelo Flea Market (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
August 15-18, 2013 Fall Tupelo Furniture Market (Tupelo)
August  Rebel/Bulldog Tailgate Cook-off & Sprit display Competition (Pontotoc on the Square.  Scheduled for end of August 18th or 25th waiting on judges timetable.) Call 662-489-5042 for more info.

September
September 13 - 14, 2013 UP, UP & AWAY Hot Air Balloon Festival (Tupelo Ballard Park)
September 13 - 14 2013  Tupelo Flea Market (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
September 28-29, 2013 Bodock Festival (Pontotoc Downtown Square Area)
September 20 - 22, 2013  Sportsman's Bonanza  (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
September 20 & 21, 2013    Heritage Pioneer Days ,- Living history and lots of hands -on fun.  Come and   experience Life in the Past Lane with old time games, live music, basket weaving, textile arts including quilting, spinning and weaving; and lots more!

October
October 11-13, 2013  Tupelo Flea Market & Gun Show (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
October 15 - Nov. 9, 2013  Autumn Walking Trail (Pontotoc Downtown, Westtown and By-Pass Areas) Info. 662-489-5042

November
November 8 - 10, 2013  Tupelo Flea Market (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
November 29 - Dec. 1, 2013  Tupelo Flea Market Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)

December
December 8, 2013  Rudolph Run 10K (Pontotoc) info. 662-488-5253
December 8, 2013  Breakfast wit Santa (Pontotoc) Info. 662-489-5042
December 13 - 15, 2013  Tupelo Flea Market & Gun Show  (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)

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.  Monthly camping may be available.  Please check with the park office for availability.
Trace State Park Campground Brochure (PDF)

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)

Cabins / Cottages
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 "MH010 and MH011, 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. Smoking is not allowed in any Mississippi government building (including cabins/cottages).

Cottages are two bedroom units with two queen beds, a combination living,dinning and kitchen area. All are central air/heat. TV (satellite service), basic kitchen equipment, grill and patio table/chairs on the back deck overlooking the lake. NO LINENS (bed or bath), PILLIOWS, or BLANKETS ARE PROVIDED, but may be rented at park office at time of check-in for an extra fee.  Smoking is not allowed in any Mississippi government building (including cabins/cottages).
Trace State Park Cabin Brochure (PDF)

Laundry Facilities
A coin operated laundry facility is available in the Eagle Ridge Campground Restroom Complex.  No smoking is permitted in this facility.

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.

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.

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

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)

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 (PDF) Adult
Trace State Park Trail Release (PDF) Minor

Equestrian Trail   (Restroom closed for repairs.)
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)
Trace State Park Trail Release (PDF) Adult
Trace State Park Trail Release (PDF) Minor

ORV (Off Road Vehicle) Trail
(Restroom closed for repairs.)
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)
Trace State Park ORV Trail Brochure (PDF)
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)

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.

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 (PDF)
Trace Lake Fishing Report (link)
Fishing License Information (link)