Turkey Fork Recreation Area
The campground is open year-round for RV camping and boat launch access. Day-use facilities operate March 1 through December 1. Some RV sites are reservable; others are first-come, first-served.
Tropical Cyclone Local Statement issued July 21 at 10:39PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
HLSMOB This product covers portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi. **TROPICAL STORM BERTHA WILL BRING COASTAL AND OFFSHORE IMPACTS THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baldwin Central, Baldwin Coastal, Escambia Coastal, Mobile Central, Mobile Coastal, Okaloosa Coastal, and Santa Rosa Coastal * STORM INFORMATION: - About 90 miles south-southeast of Mobile AL or about 80 miles south-southwest of Pensacola FL - 29.4N 87.7W - Storm Intensity 60 mph - Movement West or 270 degrees at 6 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Bertha continues to slowly move westward this evening. A general west-northwest to west motion is expected through tonight with the center of Bertha moving across our offshore gulf waters this evening into Wednesday morning. The storm will move further west and out of the local area during the day on Wednesday. Primary impacts from Bertha remain focused near the coastline and over the Gulf waters. Dangerous surf and beach conditions are expected. A high risk of deadly rip currents is in effect through much of the week. A High Surf Warning remains in effect due to surf building to 8 to 11 feet along the Gulf beaches, reaching peak heights late tonight into early Wednesday morning. These large breaking waves will result in minor beach erosion, along with flooding of vulnerable areas of the west end of Dauphin Island and the Ft. Pickens area of Gulf Islands National Seashore. A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect for the Alabama and northwest Florida coasts for inundation of 1 to 3 feet during high tide Wednesday morning and possibly again Thursday morning. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across coastal Alabama and coastal northwest Florida. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. Elsewhere across portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi., little to no impact is anticipated. * SURGE: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across coastal Alabama and coastal Florida. Remain well away from locally hazardous surge having limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi., little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across coastal Alabama and the western Florida panhandle. Remain well guarded against locally hazardous flood waters having limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures. Elsewhere across portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi., little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete preparations in accordance with your emergency plan. If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For the latest detailed evacuation and shelter information...please refer to your local emergency management agency at the phone number or website listed below. - Coastal Alabama: - Baldwin County: 251-972-6807 or www.baldwincountyal.gov/departments/EMA - Mobile County: 251-460-8000 or mobilecountyema.gov - Northwest Florida: - Escambia County: 850-471-6400 or myescambia.com/beready - Santa Rosa County: 850-983-5360 www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency - Okaloosa County: 850-651-7150 or myokaloosa.com/emergency-management - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Mobile AL around 4 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.
Weapons Use FOREST ORDER NO. 08-11-37-23-152-1
FOREST ORDER NO. 08-11-37-23-152-1 Discusses weapons use, storage, and travel prohibitions on the National Forests in Mississippi
2026 Fee Free Dates
The National Forests in Mississippi are great escapes! There’s something for everyone who enjoys the great outdoors, and the fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite. All standard amenity sites, such as day-use and picnic areas, are waived during fee-free…
About
Turkey Fork Recreation Area sits on a 240-acre reservoir in De Soto National Forest, making it one of the most popular outdoor destinations in south Mississippi. The full-service camping area offers 20 RV sites equipped with water and 50-amp electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings with grills. Eight primitive tent sites provide a more rustic option. Three bathhouses with flush toilets and showers serve the campground, and a dump station is located within the RV loop. The lake is stocked with bass, crappie, and bluegill, drawing anglers year-round. Water recreation includes two designated swim areas, a boat ramp, and a floating dock. Water skiing is permitted from 10 AM to 6 PM, though jet-propelled boats and open exhaust systems are prohibited. A 3/4-mile trail connects the day-use picnic area to the camping facilities. Day-use amenities operate seasonally from March 1 through December 1, while the RV campground and boat launch remain open year-round. Some sites are reservable through Recreation.gov, with additional sites available first-come, first-served.
Directions
From Laurel, travel south on Hwy 15 approximately 27 miles to Richton. Turn left onto US Hwy 42 and travel 12 miles east to Sandhill. From Mobile, drive north on US Hwy 45 approximately 55 miles to the MS-AL state line, then travel west on Hwy 42 for 19 miles to County Road 232. Turn left and travel two miles south to Turkey Fork.
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 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 40ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 40ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (601) 428-0594 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov | |
| USFS Turkey Fork Recreation Area |
Availability
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