Trace State Park offers a quiet, natural retreat located just minutes from the excitement of Tupelo, one of Mississippi's fastest growing cities. Trace State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities ranging from fishing and water sports to exploring miles of secluded nature trails. Trace State Park also adds to Mississippi's History as within the park was once called the home of one America's early and colorful pioneers, Davy Crockett. Crockett lived here as a horse trader with the Chickasaw Indians after his defeat for re-election to Congress in his home state of Tennessee. It was while living here he learned of his friend, Sam Houston's plight in Texas and traveled there to help and was later killed in the Battle of the Alamo.
2139 Faulkner Road
Belden, MS 38826
United States
Day use and overnight camping.
Please note: If using driving devices such as Garmin, etc. please check settings as they may bring you to the park using narrow, winding, dirt roads. Most have settings as "shortest distance instead of "quickest route." If your device does not show you entering park via MS Hwy 6/278 routes, you are most likely coming in the less desirable way.
From Natchez Trace Parkway -
North or South Bound - Take exit at mile post 259.7 for MS Hwy 6 / 278/ West main St. (see signs for Trace State Park). Travel West for 7.5- miles (8-min.), be looking for Trace State Park signs on right and turn right onto Faulkner Road/ CR65 travel 2-miles until arrive at Trace State Park Entrance/Office.
From Memphis -
US-78 and drive 74.5 - miles (1-hr 15-min.). Take exit #64 onto MS Hwy 15 South (New Albany 3rd Exit) travel South for 12.8-miles (17 min.) to Pontotoc, MS. Take MS HWY 6/278 ( go under four lane Hwy and take left) travel East for 8.7-miles (10-min.), exit right at exit reading "Tupelo Exit" (back onto Old MS Hwy 6) travel about 1.1-mile (1-min.), turning left onto Faulkner Road/CR 65 for 2-miles until arrive at Trace State Park Entrance/Office. From Birmingham AL - Exit US-78 via ramp at sign reading "Exit 85- Natchez Trace Parkway" and go south (left turn) 3.9 miles 95-min.) to MS Hwy 6/278/ West Main St. - mile post 259.7 exit will be on right (see signs for Trace State Park). Take right traveling west for 7.5-miles ( 8- min.), be looking for Trace State Park signs on right and turn right onto Faulkner Road/ CR65 travel 2-miles until arrive at Trace State Park Entrance/Office.
Arriving on Highway 78 at Belden Exit -
Take exit 81 (Belden exit). Go approximately 1.5 - miles (3-min.) to the third traffic light (Shell Gas Garden on corner) and take a right on Coley Road. Travel Coley Road to 3rd red light 3.4-miles (6-min.), which will be MS Hwy 6/278/West Main St. intersection take right onto (west). West Main St./MS Hwy 6/278 travel 6.7-miles (7-min.) to Faulkner Road/CR 65 looking for Trace State Park sign on right and turning right, travel 2-miles until arrive at Trace State Park Entrance/Office.
Arriving on Highway 45 from the south (Columbus, Meridian, West Point) -
Take the Eason Boulevard exit. This is the same exit as Itawamba Community College, University of Mississippi Tupelo Campus, and North Miss. Medical Center. Turn left on Eason Boulevard, which changes name to Cliff Gookin. After crossing the 145 intersection, dive approximately 6 miles (13 min.). Take left onto West Main/ MS Hwy 6/278, travel 6.7-miles west, be looking for Trace State Park signs on right and turning right onto Faulkner Road/CR 65, travel 2 miles until arrive at Trace State Park Entrance/Office.
Arriving on Highway 45 from the north (Corinth) -
Take Tupelo Exit for MS 145, and take Natchez Trace South until you reach MS Hwy 6/278 main (milepost 259.7). Turn Right on MS- 6/278 heading west. Follow MS-6/278 for 6.7 miles to Co. Rd. 65/Faulkner Rd/CR 65. Turn right on CR 65/Faulkner Rd, traveling 2 miles until you see Trace State Park Entrance/Park Office.
Other helpful exits - Natchez Trace Parkway Exits
>MS Hwy 78/ Interstate 22
Find and learn more about Trace State Park...
Trace State Park offers a variety of recreational activities and facilities. These include two playground areas, picnic sites, a large picnic pavilion, and a laundry facility. Recreation activities also include disc golf, non-motorized and motorized trails, kayak rentals, and access to a neighboring 18-hole golf course. A 565-acre lake is also available for water activities.
20 picnic sites, many with views of Trace Lake, feature tables and barbecue grills throughout the park.
A large picnic pavilion is available by reservation, making it ideal for company picnics, family reunions, and church and school outings. This pavilion can accommodate 60 people, and reservations can be made up to 13 months in advance. Call the park for more information (662) 489-2958.
Trace features two playgrounds for park guests' enjoyment. The main playground is located in our day-use area and is open to all park guests. The second is located in the Deer Run Campground area and is limited to overnight campers' use only.
Trace State Park has two 18-hole disc golf courses. The Old Warrior Run course is the first North Mississippi long arm course, and the Trace Gold course is a professional course. The disc course is open to the public free of charge; however, the normal $2.00 entrance fee is required.
Disc Golf Helpful links:
Bordering but not affiliated with Trace State Park is Pontotoc Country Club's 18-hole golf course, in which Trace State Park's overnight guests may be entitled to free GREEN FEES for up to two persons per stay/receipt.
No play is allowed on tournament dates, other restrictions may apply, and extra fees are charged for rentals. For more information, please contact the park office, log onto the Pontotoc Country Club's Website, or call (662) 489-1962.
Trace State Park Nature Trail offers a unique landscape of upland pine, hardwoods, and wetland forest. It has over 17 miles of trails for hikers and mountain bikers. The use of the nature/mountain biking trails is included in the $2.00 day-use fee upon entry. For more in-depth information, download the brochure below.
Trace State Park offers equestrian lovers a wide range of trail use. A trail dedicated to mountain bike users is set aside for dedicated use. This trail meanders through a canopy of hardwoods and pines, with great views of the lake along the way.
A vast complexity of 35 miles of combined usage trails for ORVs, mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrian users. Also available in our ORV Trails Area is a horse barn for overnight accommodations, which may be made by contacting the park office. A map of our ORV Trails Brochure may be helpful and may be downloaded below.
Release forms must be on file (yearly) at the park office for each user. A daily fee is charged. Requirement: Persons operating or riding on an ATV must possess a valid driver's license or possess an All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Course Certificate.
Trace Lake offers 565-acres of fresh water for fishing and water sports. The park provides two boat ramps for a small fee; annual passes are available for purchase; please contact the park for more info (662) 489-2958.
The skiing side of Trace Lake offers 565-acres of freshwater for water sports. Water skiing is allowed year-round. A fee is charged. Swimming is not permitted in Trace Lake.
Trolling speed is only permitted on the fishing side of the lake. Trace Lake offers a well-stocked lake with bass, catfish, redear, bluegill, and crappie. A Mississippi fishing license is required for all persons ages 16 through 65, and out-of-state guests 16 and older are also required to have one. The license may be purchased during office hours at the park office or online at MDWFP.com.
Trace State Park offers 76 full hookup RV camping sites, 16 tent sites, five cabins, and three cottages.
Trace State Park offers 76 RV camping sites, all with picnic tables and grills and most have fire rings. All sites have full hookups (electric, water, and sewer).
The developed camping area includes three bathhouses with hot showers, a coin-operated laundromat, and a central sewage dumping station. The Deer Run Campground area includes a playground. All sites can be reserved up to 13 months in advance, and reservations are highly recommended.
Reservations are highly recommended and may be made up to 13 months in advance either online or by contacting the Park Office at (662) 489-2958.
Monthly camping may be available. Please check with the park office for availability.
There are 11 primitive camping sites along the Trace Lake area, and an additional five are located deeper in the woods. Primitive sites are first come, first served; call the park for more details at (662) 489-2958.
Tent camping is also allowed in our developed campground; however, the developed camping rates apply.
Trace State Park features four air-conditioned cabins, each accommodating two to six people. Each cabin is equipped with beds, bath linens, basic kitchen equipment, and screened-in porches. The cabins are located lakeside overlooking Trace Lake and feature outdoor grills and back porches. Duplex's 3, 8, and 9 are ADA compliant.
Please note that one cabin, "MH010, " is a mobile home unit.
Reservations are available up to 13 months in advance and are highly recommended. Other rules and regulations may apply.
Smoking and pets are not allowed in any Mississippi government building, including cabins.
Three cottages have two-bedroom units with two queen beds and a combination of living, dining, and kitchen areas. All have central air/heat, TV (satellite service), bed and bath linens, basic kitchen equipment, grill, and patio table/chairs on the back deck overlooking the lake.
Cottage 6 is ADA-accessible.
Reservations are available up to 13 months in advance and are highly recommended. Other rules and regulations may apply.
Smoking and pets are not allowed in any Mississippi government building, including cottages.
Trace provides one coin-operated laundry facility in the Eagle Ridge campground for overnight guests only.
