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outdoors: pat harrison waterway district

STORY BY MOLLIE REEVESPHOTOS COURTESY PAT HARRISON WATERWAY DISTRICT

If you enjoy fishing, boating,camping and other forms ofoutdoor recreation, the PatHarrison Waterway District(PHWD) has something to offeryou. And if you are anywherein South Mississippi, there is aPHWD water park in closer a n g e .

According to ExecutiveDirector Hiram Boone, The PatHarrison is a Mississippi StateAgency that is responsible formanaging the rivers and theirtributaries along the Pascagoula

River Basin in Southeastern andEast Central Mississippi. Toaccomplish this mission, Mr.Boone further mentions, thePHWD focuses on flood control,water management and recre-ation. However, it’s probablythe recreation that the PatHarrison is most recognizedfor, and it's more than just FlintCreek. The District extends asfar north as Meridian andDecatur with similar parks tosupport that area as well. Mr.Boone extends an invitation to

come and make some positivememories at one of the parks ofthe Pat Harrison WaterwayD i s t r i c t .

The District operates ninewater parks, each one withsomething special to offer thenature lover and outdoorsman.The nine parks offer some or allof the following: Cabins, R.V.and primitive camping sites,water slides, boat launches,shelters and lodge halls andnature trails.

All of the water parks are

S P L E N D O R

Dunn’s Falls Water Park isnestled in the pristine hillsalong the Chunky River inSouth Lauderdale County.

Here, along a shallowstretch of the Chunky

River, the bluffs of the east-ern bank rise to tree-top

level. From this lofty perch,the flowing water of a

stream provides a naturalsource of power for the

working water wheelbefore making its sixty to

seventy foot decent to theriver below.

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located adjacent to rivers orreservoirs.

The nine water parks serve a15-county region in southeastMississippi and are close topopulation areas along theMississippi Gulf Coast,Louisiana and Alabama, accord-ing to Stone Barefield Jr.,District Water ParkSuperintendent for the PatHarrison Waterway District.

More than 300,000 peoplevisit the parks each year to fish,picnic, and walk nature trails.Some families come for the dayor a weekend while others stayfor a week or more.

“We have generally had good

fishing,” Barefield said. “Theparks host a number of fishingtournaments every year. Wehave a tournament, it seems, atone of the parks almost everyweekend. Most of these arefundraisers of some kind.”

AR C H U S A CR E E K WA T E R PA R K

Archusa Creek Water Park islocated near Quitman, just offHwy. 45 and Hwy 18 East. Thepark boasts a 450 acre lake andoffers camping, boating, swim-ming and water skiing. The pic-nic areas are equipped withbarbecue grills and family-sizepicnic tables. The blue greenwaters of the lake and the pineywoods provide a relaxing scene

for campers and fishermen yearr o u n d .

Archusa Creek has four cab-ins for weekend outings andvacations, as well as 69 camp-sites. Twenty-one of the siteshave 50 amp service and 48 ofthe sites have 30 amp service.

Other activities offered atArchusa Creek include a DixieYouth baseball field, a disc(frisbee) golf course, a play-ground for children and a one-half mile nature trail.

In the fall of each year, thewater park hosts its annualForestry and Wildlife Festivalthat features chainsaw sculpt-ing, races, and special events

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and activities for all ages.BI G CR E E K WA T E R PA R K

Big Creek Water Park, locat-ed between Laurel and Collinsoff Hwy 84 , offers year-roundfishing on a 200 acre lake anddeveloped camping spurs.Visitors are attracted to thebeautiful countryside and abun-dant fishing waters. Bass,bream, crappie and catfishabound, and the rolling greencountryside is a treat for theeyes.

In addition to the campingspurs, the park has two rentalcabins and two camphouses.Big Creek also has a uniquebeach area that makes for pleas-ant swimming. The area is alsoequipped with barbecue grillsand family picnic tables. Andaluminum boat rentals areavailable year round.

Big Creek has a total of 49campsites, including 31 sitesthat have 50 amp service and 18sites that have 30 amp service.

One of Big Creek’s claims tofame is that it is home to one ofthe oldest cedars in the state ofMississippi. History lovers canalso enjoy exploring the historiccemetery where the first home-steaders of the area are buried.

DR Y CR E E K WA T E R PA R K

Dry Creek Water Park can befound in Mt. Olive, just offHwy 49. Fishermen from allover come to try their luck withthe abundant Florida bass, cat-fish and crappie that can befound in the park’s 150 acrelake.

The quiet and secluded parkalso offers 28 campsites with a

bathhouse, as well as picnicareas with barbecue grills andpicnic tables. For larger groupsthere is a private park pavilionthat can be reserved.

DU N N’S FA L L S WA T E R PA R K

Dunn’s Falls Water Park isnestled in the pristine hillsalong the Chunky River inSouth Lauderdale County.Here, along a shallow stretch ofthe Chunky River, the bluffs ofthe eastern bank rise to tree-toplevel. From this lofty perch, theflowing water of a stream pro-vides a natural source of powerfor the working water wheelbefore making its sixty to sev-enty foot decent to the riverbelow.

The park features a 65-footwater fall created in the mid1850’s by John Dunn, an Irishimmigrant, that provides pris-tine beauty. The curious andnature lovers alike are drawn tothis peaceful spot. An 1857 gristmill, moved from Cave Springs,Georgia in 1987 and recon-structed on the site of Dunn’soriginal mill, as well as the rus-tic homestead, fascinate historybuffs. Stocked with catfish andcomplete with ducks, the millpond and picnic area are agreat location for a family out-ing. The crystal clear riveroffers fishing, canoeing andswimming. A short walkremoves visitors from even anod to civilization as naturetrails wind through the woods,which are home to wild turkey,deer, squirrels and otherwildlife, carrying hikers - even-tually - back to the pond.

Primitive camping sites areavailable for those who like torough it. And paddleboats arealso available for rental.

FL I N T CR E E K WA T E R PA R K

Flint Creek Water Park, locat-ed in Wiggins, consists of 1,900acres and features a 600 acrelake. The park is an easy 35miles from the Mississippi GulfCoast. Fishermen can cast aline 24-hours a day for bass,bream, crappie or catfish.

The lake is also a favorite forboating, water skiing andswimming. Aluminum boatrentals are available. FlintCreek’s Water Town, withkiddy waterslides and fouradult giant waterslides, is openmost of the year.

Camping and picnicking areavailable all year round. With156 fully developed campingspurs, 34 vacation cabins, and12 camphouses, Flint Creek is aterrific place to spend week-ends or vacations. Campers canenjoy swimming at their ownprivate beach, or just enjoynature, taking a hike down thenature trail, fragrant withdaisies, honeysuckle, roses andred clover. Wild turkey, deer,squirrels, ducks and otherwaterfowl can often be foundalong the lakeside.

The park offers 46 cabins,including 34 vacation cabinsand 12 camphouses. There are156 total campsites with50/30/20 amp service. Thereare also 42 undeveloped camp-sites with water for primitivec a m p i n g .

Flint Creek offers picnic areas

outdoors: pat harrison waterway district

equipped with barbeque grillsand picnic tables. For addedconvenience, Flint Creek alsohas two private pavilions andone enclosed lodge hall.

Every July 4, the water parkholds it annual FireworksDisplay enjoyed by locals andvisitors alike. An annualhaunted forest is also held theSaturday before Halloween.

LI T T L E BL A C K CR E E K

WA T E R PA R K

Little Black Creek WaterPark is located between Purvisand Lumberton off Interstate59. The park’s 600 acre lake isstocked with plenty of catfish,white perch, bream and large-mouth bass. In addition to thelake, Little Black Creek has apond stocked with channel cat-fish. Overnight guests canobtain a permit to fish for theirdinner in Lake Catch A-Lot.

The park has 106 sceniccampsites with power andwater and 20 cabins, with manyof those located on the lake orthe catfish pond.

Each summer Little BlackCreek hosts special events suchas children’s fishing rodeos,open fishing tournaments, andother special events.

MA Y N O R CR E E K WA T E R PA R K

Maynor Creek Water Park islocated six miles west ofWaynesboro off Hwy 84. Thepark has a 450 acre lake wherefishermen can cast a line forbream, catfish, crappie andFlorida bass.

Dogwoods and magnoliasbloom abundantly in the springwhile hickories paint a beauti-ful picture of autumn color inthe fall.

Camping, boating, swim-ming, water skiing and picnick-ing are all part of the familyfun offered at Maynor Creek.Aluminum boat rentals andfamily picnic pavilions are alsoa v a i l a b l e .

The park offers 69 campsitesas well as nine cabins, includ-ing two bungalows and sevenvacation cabins. There are alsothree open-air pavilions andtwo lodge halls available.

OK A T I B B E E WA T E R PA R K

Okatibbee Water park islocated on Pine Spring Road,just off Highway 19 Northnorthwest of Meridian. With 28miles of shoreline, the 3,800-acre reservoir offers abundantbass fishing year round, as wellas water skiing. SplashdownCountry’s adult and kiddywaterslides are open Maythrough Labor Day, with life-guards on duty for added safe-ty.

The park features 105 fullydeveloped camping spurs,with 50 amp electrical service,for camping enthusiasts. Forthe slightly less adventurous,four new vacation cabins areavailable as well as a 25-roommotel.

For the naturalist, the parkis visited each December bythe American Bald Eagle.

TU R K E Y CR E E K WA T E R PA R K

Open year-round, Turkey Creek WaterPark, with its 250 acre lake, attracts trav-elers from many areas. Located just offHighway 15, five miles southwest ofDecatur, the park is one of the most pop-ular water skiing spots around, attractingskiers as early as mid-March. This PatHarrison Water Park boasts excellent bassfishing and offers boat rentals in additionto camping.

Known for its conservation program,Turkey Creek is enjoyed by explorers ofall ages. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoyhiking or biking the park’s nature trailteeming with wild flowers, deer, squir-rels, ducks, turkeys, and other wildlife.

For campers, the park has 22 fullydeveloped camping spurs as well as threenew vacation cabins available for rent.Turkey Creek’s campgrounds feature apicnic area and a playground with mod-ern equipment for children of all ages.The park also features a white sandbeach, wooded picnic areas, and naturet r a i l s .

No matter which PHWD water parkyou choose to visit, you’ll find beautifulscenery, good fishing and a relaxing time.

Cabin prices for all of the parks rangefrom $70 to $117 a night. Campsite feesrange from $7.50 for primitive sites to $14to $19 per night for the Class A (RV andcamper trailer) sites.

For more information on the PatHarrison Waterway District, you can visitwww.phwd.net or waterparkin.com. Forcabin reservations you can call 1-800-748-9403 or 601-261-1247.

Cabins and meeting places can be foundat most of the parks of the Pat Harrison

Waterway District.

Water sports at the PHWD provide fun forthe entire family. Shelby Taranto enjoys

tubing at Flint Creek.