Choctaw Lake

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.