Chewalla Lake Recreation Area

About

Chewalla Lake Recreation Area is named from the Choctaw word "Chiho-la," meaning "supreme being." This site was once a special place for Native Americans, who built a ceremonial mound where the lake now stands. A small commemorative mound has been reconstructed near an overlook of the lake. The recreation area centers around a beautiful 260-acre no-wake lake surrounded by dense forests of pine and hardwoods including sweet gum, oak, and dogwoods that create stunning spring blooms. The lake is popular for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, and catfish. Facilities include 36 campsites (9 with electrical hookups), 40 picnic units, a boat ramp with mooring dock, an accessible fishing pier, a sandy swimming beach, children's playground, group picnic pavilion, a 1-mile walking trail, and a dump station. The campground sits on land once heavily farmed, and erosion has created deep gullies throughout the area. Split-rail fences line these gullies, adding rustic character to the facility. Located 8.5 miles southeast of Holly Springs, the area provides convenient access to this charming town known as the Antebellum Capitol of the mid-south, with over 200 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Directions

From Holly Springs, travel east on MS Hwy. 4 and turn right onto Salem Road (Higdon Road), then drive southeast 6.5 miles. Turn left onto Chewalla Lake Road and travel 1 mile to the entrance. Physical address: 726 Chewalla Lake Rd, Holly Springs, MS 38659.