Large Pavilion at Choctaw Lake Recreation Area
Open

Open year-round. Swimming beach facilities close seasonally during winter. Some sites reservable through Recreation.gov; others available first-come, first-served.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 1 at 3:06PM CDT until July 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS

3:06 PM — 10:00 PM

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 431 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN LOUISIANA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 8 PARISHES IN NORTHEAST LOUISIANA CATAHOULA CONCORDIA EAST CARROLL FRANKLIN MADISON RICHLAND TENSAS WEST CARROLL IN MISSISSIPPI THIS WATCH INCLUDES 40 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI ATTALA CHOCTAW COPIAH HINDS HOLMES HUMPHREYS LEAKE MADISON RANKIN SCOTT SIMPSON SMITH YAZOO IN EAST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI CLARKE JASPER KEMPER LAUDERDALE NESHOBA NEWTON NOXUBEE WINSTON IN NORTH CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI CARROLL GRENADA LEFLORE MONTGOMERY WEBSTER IN NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI CLAY LOWNDES OKTIBBEHA IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI BOLIVAR SUNFLOWER WASHINGTON IN SOUTH CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI LINCOLN IN SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI ADAMS CLAIBORNE FRANKLIN JEFFERSON IN WEST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI ISSAQUENA SHARKEY WARREN THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ACKERMAN, ANGUILLA, BAY SPRINGS, BELZONI, BRANDON, BROOKHAVEN, BROOKSVILLE, BUDE, CANTON, CARROLLTON, CARTHAGE, CLEVELAND, COLUMBUS, CONEHATTA, CRYSTAL SPRINGS, DE KALB, DECATUR, DELHI, DURANT, EPPS, EUPORA, FAYETTE, FERRIDAY, FOREST, GOODMAN, GREENVILLE, GREENWOOD, GRENADA, HARRISONBURG, HAZLEHURST, HEIDELBERG, INDIANOLA, ISOLA, JACKSON, JONESVILLE, KOSCIUSKO, LAKE PROVIDENCE, LEXINGTON, LOUISVILLE, MACON, MADISON, MAGEE, MATHISTON, MAYERSVILLE, MEADVILLE, MENDENHALL, MERIDIAN, MORTON, NATCHEZ, NEWELLTON, NEWTON, NORTH CARROLLTON, OAK GROVE, PEARL, PEARL RIVER, PHILADELPHIA, PICKENS, PORT GIBSON, QUITMAN, RALEIGH, RAYVILLE, RICHLAND, RIDGELAND, ROLLING FORK, ROXIE, RULEVILLE, SCOOBA, SHUBUTA, ST. JOSEPH, STARKVILLE, STONEWALL, TALLULAH, TAYLORSVILLE, TCHULA, UNION, VAIDEN, VICKSBURG, VIDALIA, WATERPROOF, WEIR, WESSON, WEST FERRIDAY, WEST POINT, WINNSBORO, WINONA, AND YAZOO CITY.

Heat Advisory issued July 1 at 1:52PM CDT until July 2 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS

1:52 PM — 10:00 PM

* WHAT...Heat index values up to 110. * WHERE...Portions of southeast Arkansas and central, east central, north central, and northeast Mississippi. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CDT this evening, and 10 AM to 8 PM CDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat related illnesses.

Heat Advisory issued July 1 at 1:52PM CDT until July 1 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS

1:52 PM — 10:00 PM

* WHAT...Heat index values up to 110. * WHERE...Portions of southeast Arkansas and central, east central, north central, and northeast Mississippi. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CDT this evening, and 10 AM to 8 PM CDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat related illnesses.

About

Choctaw Lake Recreation Area wraps around a scenic 100-acre lake in the Tombigbee National Forest of east-central Mississippi, about 5 miles south of Ackerman. The campground offers 20 sites, each equipped with water and electric hookups, a picnic table, and a fire ring with grill. Two bath houses provide flush toilets and hot showers. A dump station is located near the entrance for RV waste disposal. Recreation centers on the lake, which operates as a no-wake zone. Two boat ramps provide access for fishing and paddling. An accessible fishing pier serves anglers pursuing largemouth bass, bream, catfish, and crappie. A swimming beach with a designated swim area is open seasonally. On land, a 3-mile hiking trail loops through the forest, and a disc golf course offers additional activity. The Noxubee Hills 26-mile mountain biking and hiking trail also originates here. The recreation area operates year-round following a 2023 policy change that eliminated the traditional winter closure. Note that swimming facilities close during winter months. Sites can be reserved through Recreation.gov or obtained first-come, first-served. The area is unstaffed; visitors should bring correct currency for the fee station or use QR code payment.

Directions

From Ackerman, travel 2.5 miles south on MS Highway 15. Turn left onto Choctaw Lake Road and travel 1 mile east to the main entrance. Alternatively from Jackson, take Highway 25 north toward Starkville, turn onto Highway 15 north toward Ackerman, and travel 11 miles to Forest Road 967.

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station Yes
Wifi
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers Yes
Electric Hookups Yes
Water Hookups Yes
Sewer Hookups No
Camp Store
Price $20 - $40

Vehicle

Max RV Length 55ft
Max Trailer Length 55ft
Big Rig Friendly
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (662) 285-3264

Cell Service

AT&T Yes
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Large Pavilion at Choctaw Lake Recreation Area
First Come First Serve sites
Choctaw Lake Recreation Area entrance kiosk
View of Choctaw Lake, looking across the lake towards the campground
First Come First Serve side.
One of the many boardwalks along the lakeside trail.
Please use situational awareness when walking around the lake. The wildlife is out!
Photo looking across Choctaw Lake
Campsite in Choctaw Lake Recreation Area

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