Overview

Facilities

The recreation area offers more than two dozen campsites, a picnic area, a group shelter, accessible flush toilet facilities and a dump station. Davis Lake has multiple fishing docks, including some that are accessible.



Campsites are equipped with tables, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills. Drinking water is provided. Campsites have electric and water hook ups. There are no sites with sewage hook up; however, there is a dump station located near the front entrance.



A picnic shelter can also be reserved on-site, for an additional $40 per day fee.

Natural Features

Recreation

Davis Lake covers 200 acres and provides multiple recreational opportunities. A grassy swimming beach is situated on the shore, where many anglers cast for largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, catfish and bream. The campground has 27 sites on the lake, many of them with space to anchor a boat. A 2-mile trail wanders along the north edge of the lake to several earthen fishing piers. Visitors can also spend time birding, watching for a variety of geese and ducks that migrate through the area. Hawks, herons, bluebirds and doves are also plentiful, among many other species. Wildlife viewing is also available, as foxes and bobcats call the area home. The Chickasaw OHV Trail is a newly renovated 12-mile motorized trail that is within three miles of the campground. The trailhead lies between the Davis Lake recreation area and the Natchez Trace Parkway. It is within a mile of the Owl Creek Mounds archaeological interpretive site. The OHV trail is open between April 1 and Oct. 31. The trail accommodates off-road vehicles 48-inches in width or less. Cyclists and hikers will enjoy the Tanglefoot Trail. This multiple-use Rails-to-Trails path is located 5 miles west of Davis Lake. It runs 43.5 miles from Houston to New Albany, MS through Houlka, Algoma, Pontotoc, Ecru, and Ingomar.

Nearby Attractions

The recreation area is located 21 miles south of Tupelo, Mississippi, and 12 miles north of Houston.



The Owl Creek Mounds, an archaeological interpretive site containing Native American ruins, is located half a mile south on the paved road (heading towards the Natchez Trace exit).



The Witchdance Horsetrail is an 18-mile horseback riding trail that can be accessed from both the Payamatha Trailhead (on Highway 32, west of the Natchez Trace and east of Highway 15), or the Witchdance trailhead, that lies on the Natchez Trace Parkway (approximately 5 miles east of Houston).

Contact Info

Important Notices

• This recreation area is labeled as an expanded amenity site. 

  Day Use: $5 (fishing, hiking, swimming, boating, picnicking, etc.) Day-use closed during campground "Quiet Hours: 10pm to 6am." With a pass, the $5 is discounted to $2.50. 

  Camping: $20/night ($14 camping fee + $6 hook-up fee) (check-out is 2pm)

  When adding a pass with online payment, the 50% discount applies to the $14 camping fee. Therefore, the total will become $13 per night, with a pass. ($7 camping fee + $6 hook-up fee).

  When paying online and/or scan and pay, Recreation.gov will charge a service fee at check-out.

• Pets are not allowed on the beach and must be leashed at all times in the recreation area.

• Click here for more information on the Tombigbee District of the National Forests of Mississippi

• Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.

• No drugs or alcohol allowed per Closure Orders

• NO WAKE EXCEPT SKIING HOURS: (Fri. Sat. Sun. Holidays.) NOON - SUNSET.

  AVOID Swimming Beach/Area.

• All sites have water and electric hook-ups only; however, there is a dump station located adjacent to the front entrance of the recreation area.

• ATVS, UTVS, & GOLF CARTS are not permitted.

Available Activities

• SWIMMING SITE - Swimming
• WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
• WATER SPORTS - Water Skiing
• HIKING - Hiking
• FISHING - Fishing
• CAMPING - Camping
• BOATING - Boating
• BIKING - Biking

Directions

<p>From Tupelo, drive 17 miles south on the Natchez Trace Parkway to the Davis Lake Recreation Area Exit at milepost 243. Turn right on Davis Lake Road and continue 4 miles to the campground. </p> <p>859 CR 124</p> <p>Houlka, MS 38850</p>

Cancellation Policy

<p>Cancellations may occur during severe weather events. </p>

Contact Information

Phone: 662-285-3264

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip