East Mississippi Foothills Land Trust
 
   
 
 
ECOTOUR   &  RESOURCES
Chunky at Dunns Falls
Chunky River at Dunn's Falls

What is an Ecotour??

Tour involving travel to areas of natural or ecological interest, typically under the guidance of a naturalist, for the purpose of observing wildlife and learning about the environment.

Eco-tourism focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on our vulnerable planet. It is typically defined as travel to destinations where the flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, initiatives by hospitality providers to promote recycling, energy efficiency, water re-use, and the creation of economic opportunities for local communities are an integral part of ecotourism.

Turtle
Turtle Poses

Historical, biological and cultural conservation, preservation, sustainable development etc. are some of the fields closely related to Eco-Tourism. Many professionals have been involved in formulating and developing eco-tourism policies. They come from the fields of Geographic Information Systems, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Photography, Marine Biology and Oceanography, National and State Park Management, Environmental Sciences, Women in Development, Historians and Archaeologists, etc.

HELPFUL LINKS:

  • GOLFING
  • CAMPING
  • CANOEING
  • THREE-DAY-WEEKEND


    CANOEING
           Contacts:
                            MS Canoe and Kayak Club  http://www.mscanoeclub.org/
                            601-924-3689

                            Stuckey Bridge Canoe Rentals 601-481-4211

                Chunky River Access Points: (see map)

        • Hwy. 80 Bridge #1 at Chunky Access –River access is fair to good and parking is good.
        • Hwy. 80 Bridge #2 at Chunky Access - River access is good and parking is good.
        • Wanita Lake Road Bridge Access - River access is fair to good and parking is fair to good.
        • Stuckey Bridge Road Access – River Access is on the left side directly under the bridge. River access is fair to good and parking is fair.
        • Dunn’s Fall Water Park Emergency Access – River Access is very poor here due to climbing up steep stairs so this should be considered as an emergency access only.
        • Dunn’s Fall Road Access – River access is fair to good and parking is fair.
        • Hwy. 11 Bridge Emergency Access - River access is very poor and parking is good.

    BIRDING, HIKING, & NATURE TRAILS
                 Contacts:
                Okatibbee Creek Audubon Society  http://home.comcast.net/~ocas/
                Mississippi Audubon Society   http://www.msaudubon.org
                National Audubon Society   http://www.audubon.org/
               
    FISHING
                Contacts:
                Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries  http://www.mdwfp.state.ms.us/
                MS Fishing License https://www.ms.gov/gf/hunting/index.jsp

    What you’ll find:
    Okatibbee Lake is listed as being one of the best Crappie fishing lakes in the state. Other speices found here include: Large Mouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear, and Channel Catfish.

    Bonita Reservoir has the following species: Large Mouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, and Channel Catfish.

    Sowashee Creek is known to have Large Mouth Bass, White Bass, and Bluegill species.

    Chunky Creek and Chunky Rivers share the same species, including: Large Mouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Longear, and Channel Catfish.

    Potterchitto Creek holds Large Mouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, and Channel Catfish.

    Tallasher Creek contains Large Mouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Longear, and Channel Catfish.

    For More info and locations of boat ramps and piers, check out the Mississippi Department of Fisheries website.  http://www.mdwfp.state.ms.us/Level2/Fisheries/rampsandpiers/fishingplaces.asp

    CAMPING

    LAUDERDALE COUNTY:

    Benchmark Coach & RV             
    6420 Dale Drive, Meridian, MS                     
    601-483-7999                        
    http://www.benchmarkrv.net/
               
    Bonita Lakes RV Park               
    895 Hwy. 19 S., Meridian, MS                           
    601-483-4330
    50 spacious RV pads, 20 pull-thru sites, swimming pool, fishing lake, handicap accessible.
               
    Meridian KOA Campground
    3953 KOA Campground Road, Toomsuba, MS 39364  601-632-1684
    7 primitive tent sites, 43 RV sites (8 paved, 34 gravel), 27 pull-thrus (60'), 15 back-ins (30'), 27 full hookups (15W, 15E), 30/50 amps, dump station, patios. 
    http://www.koa.com/where/ms/24120.htm
               
    Nanabe Creek Campground  
    1933 Russell Mount Gilead Rd, Meridian, MS                
    601-485-4711        
    86 full service sites, pool, shower, laundry facility, propane, fishing, playgrounds and pavilion.

    Twiltley Branch Campground  
    9200 N. Hamrick Road, Collinsville, MS          
    601-686-8068
    50 individual sites each with water and electricity

    Splashdown Country/ Okatibbee Water Park    
    9283 Pine Springs Rd, Meridian, MS                   
    601-737-2370        
    Park features fully developed camping spots, with 50 amp electrical service, for camping enthusiasts. For the slightly less adventurous, four new vacation cabins are available as well as a 25-room motel
    http://www.waterparkin.com

    NESHOBA COUNTY

    Neshoba County Lake
    4024 Hatchery Dr, Meridian, MS 39307
    7 miles SE of Philadelphia on Highway 486
    http://www.mdwfp.com/

    Burnside Lake Water Park Campground
    525 Main St, Philadelphia, MS 39350
    Highway 15, Philadelphia
    601.656.4101
    http://www.pearlriverbasin.com
    25 RV sites (paved, gravel), back-ins (25), hookups (10 full, 15 W, 15 S, 15 E), 20/30/50 amps, shaded spots, dump station, patios, handicapped accessible, pet restrictions
    Fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, hiking trails, biking trails.

    Frog Level RV Park
    PO Box 27, Philadelphia, MS 39350
    1532 Highway 16 West, Philadelphia
    601.650.0044
    http://www.froglevelrv.com
    Horseshoes
    52 RV sites (paved), 52 pull-thrus, 52 full hookups, 10/30/50 amps, dump station, handicapped accessible’

    Neshoba County Coliseum Campground
    12000 Highway 15 North, Philadelphia
    601.656.5775
    http://www.neshobacounty.org
    47 RV sites (gravel), 47 back-ins (12' x 20"), hookups (47 W, 47 E), 20/30 amps, 10 shaded spots, handicapped accessible

    Neshoba County Lake Campground
    10360 Road 1711, Philadelphia, MS 39350
    601.656.7276
    http://www.mdwfp.com
    tent sites, 24 Rv Sites (gravel), 24 back-ins (14'x 20'), hookups (24W, 24E), 30 amps, shaded spots, dump station, handicapped accessible, pet restrictions
    Fishing

    Geyser Falls Water Theme Park
    209 Black Jack Road, Choctaw, MS 39350
    601.389.3100
    http://www.geyserfalls.com

    Nanih Waiya Wildlife Management Area
    PADDLE TRIPS: Marked canoe trail begins near Indian mound at Nanih Waiya State Park; scenic tour of headwaters of Pearl River; large cypress trees.
    601.692.2776
    http://www.mdwfp.com

    Northside Park
    Pecan Ave, Business Hwy 15 North, Philadelphia, MS
    601.656.3612
    http://www.neshoba.org
    Nature trail, picnic area, and activity area.

     

    NEWTON COUNTY:

    Turkey Creek Waterpark                 
    142 Parkway Dr., Decatur, MS                           
    601-635-3314        
    Park has 22 camping spurs with water and
    electricity as well as cabins.
    http://www.waterparkin.com

    KEMPER COUNTY:
    Kemper County Lake              
    4 miles North-West of DeKalb, MS                   
    601-692-2776        
    Features 44 camping pads with water and electricity;
    boat ramp, pavilion, picnic areas with grills.

     

    PARKS AND RECREATION (see map)

    Bonita Lake Park

    • Swimming, Fishing

    Campground RV Park
    Chickasawhay Creek
    Chinqupin Lake
    Chunky River
    Damsite (East Bank) Recreation Area
    Damsite (West Bank) Recreation Area
    Dogwood Lake
    Dunn’s Falls

    • swimming, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking trails, paddle boat rentals

    Esco Park
    Gin Creek Recreation Area
    House Lake
    Lake Irby
    Meridian National Fish Hatchery

    Nanabe Creek Campground

    • Swimming, fishing, horseshoes

    Okatibbee Creek
    Oktatibbee Lake Water Park

    • Swimming, fishing, boating

    Okatibbee Wildlife Management Area
    Osborn Lake
    Sowashee Creek
    Tailrace Recreation Area
    Tallahatta Creek
    Turkey Creek Water Park

    • swimming, fishing, boating, hiking trails, boat rentals

    Twiltley Branch Recreation Area

    • swimming, boating, horseshoes, wildlife viewing, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, hiking trails, biking trails

    Wanita Lake
    City of Meridian Recreation
    http://www.meridianms.org/culture_recreation.htm
    601-485-1802

     

    Other helpful websites to find things to do:
    http://www.Visitmississippi.org
    http://www.phwd.net
 

On these pages, you can find info about ecotours and nature events in Lauderdale, Neshoba, Newton and Kemper Counties in Mississippi.


RESOURCES & LINKS
great info about:

Chunky River Ecotour
 
 
 
 
 

 
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