Trace State Park (2016)

We were able to take a few days to do an extended camping trip so we decided to go back to Trace State Park between Tupelo and Pontotoc, MS.  We were here 4 years ago when we had our bumper-pull camper.  I wrote about our stay in the Deer Run Loop. The last mile of road before you get to the campground is VERY rough.  There are lots of potholes to dodge.  

This time, we stayed in space 26 in the Eagle Ridge Loop.  These campsites have water, electricity and sewer hookups.  

The bathhouse in Eagle Ridge loop has to be the cleanest and nicest one I have seen in a state campground.  In addition to the bathrooms and

showers, there is also a laundry ($1.00 each for wash and dry) and a meeting room.

They had to draw down the water to repair the levee plus we have been experiencing a drought in north MS so the water level is way down.  The boat ramps were closed because the water was so low.

This campground has what I call "good grills".  These are the kind of grills with a cut-out in the front slot so the top flips up.  It allows for easier charcoal pouring and cleaning out.  I wish all campgrounds had this type of grill instead of the kind where you can't flip the top up.

Trace State Park is known for its trails.  We walked the 1 mile loop known as the Jason M. Stewart Trail. 


They also have many miles of multi-use trails called Warrior Trails.  These trails are mainly used by motorcycle and ORV enthusiasts but are shared with hikers, trail bikers and horseback riders.

Since the last time were were here in 2012, Trace State Park has added a new campground loop.  This loop is named the Warrior Trail campground loop and is situated close to the trails.  These sites have concrete pads where the other loops are asphalt.  Most of the sites are unshaded but some are backed up to woods.  

There are stables close to this loop and the bathhouse has a hitching post.

Trace State Park is in close proximity to a fantastic Rails-To-Trails bike/walk trail called Tanglefoot Trail.

 We started out in Pontotoc and rode 5 miles to the north one day, then 5 miles to the south another day for a total of 20 round-trip miles.  I wrote about Tanglefoot Trail here.  This is a great bike trail and I highly recommend it.

Trace State Park has a lot to offer and we look forward to staying here again.

We camped here Nov. 10-14, 2016.  Both my Sprint phone & hubby's CSpire had good reception and data coverage.  We were able to pick up a number of over the air TV stations from the Tupelo, Columbus, West Point area.