Recreation Opportunities at Enid Lake

The recreation opportunities at Enid Lake are very diverse.  They include camping, boating, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and fishing.  Enid Lake also provides excellent and unique opportunities for those who enjoy scenic viewing and wildlife watching. 

In addition to all the activities the lake has to offer, Enid is also home to the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery Visitor Education Center which is operated by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Park.   A 10,000 gallon aquarium, displays, interactive exhibits, artifacts and wall murals promote freshwater sport fishing while encouraging the conservation and stewardship of aquatic resources.  The Hatchery is definitely a must see!  For more information about the hatchery visit their website at http://www.mdwfp.com/north-ms-fish-hatcheries.aspx.  A downloadable brochure is provided for your convenience below. 

The Enid Lake Staff strives to satisfy the recreational desires of the visiting public and works diligently to ensure a family-friendly atmosphere is awaiting everyone.  So, whether you are looking for an extended outing or just looking for an afternoon retreat, let Enid Lake be your next recreation destination.

                                                                            Come enjoy Mississippi!  Enjoy Enid Lake!

                         Enid Lake Brochure                                                                                               North MS Fish Hatchery Brochure

Persimmon Hill Campground

Selected as one of America’s Top 100 Campgrounds in 2007, Enid Lake provides visitors family-friendly campgrounds with excellent park amenities, beautiful outdoor scenery and educational facilities.  The staff at Enid Lake maintains and operates 5 Class A campgrounds, 2 class C campgrounds, and 3 class D campgrounds with a total of 304 campsites.  Enid’s campgrounds offer visitors a chance to get away from the everyday hustle and bustle of life to rest, relax, and enjoy the great outdoors!

Class A campgrounds generally offer lake-view sites, 50 amp electrical service, water hook-ups, grills, fire rings, service tables, picnic tables, comfort stations, shower houses, and sewage disposal stations. Additionally, Persimmon Hill, Wallace Creek, Water Valley Landing, and Chickasaw Hill campgrounds have sewer hook-ups at each site. Other amenities include boat ramps, multi-purpose trails, beaches and playgrounds.  Class C and D campgrounds are primitive, but provide lake view sites, restrooms and potable water. Other amenities include boat ramps, playgrounds, and beaches.

Come enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere at Enid Lake!

Class A Campgrounds

Wallace Creek - 101 campsites     Map
Persimmon Hill - 72 campsites with full hookups      Map
Chickasaw Hill - 53 campsites       Map
Water Valley Landing - 26 campsites     Map
Ford's Well campground - 18 sites  (Campground Map, Spyglass Hill Area)

Fees:
Wallace Creek: $24 per night year round.
Chickasaw Hill: $24 per night year round
Water Valley Landing: $24 per night year round
Persimmon Hill: $24 per night year round 
Ford's Well:  $24 per night year round

 Class C Campgrounds

Long Branch - 14 campsites
Plum Point - 10 campsites

Fee: 
$10 per night.

Primitive Campgrounds

Point Pleasant – 3 campsites
Bynum Creek – 5 campsites
Prophet Bridge – 2 campsites

Fees:
No charge

Enid Lake Brochure

Trails, Trails, Trails and More Trails!

Enid Lake has a total of six trails for visitors to choose from. Whether you want to walk, run, view nature, or even ride horses there's a trail for you!

Beech Hollow Nature Trail

The Beech Hollow Nature Trail is located at the entrance to the Wallace Creek Campground. The trail is approximately ½ mile long, and is a self guided trail. Trail guides are available at the trail head or at the Enid Lake Field Office. Markers are placed throughout the trail to assist in identifying certain unique and common features of the area. The trail area is comprised of upland hardwoods, hilly terrain, and creek bottoms. The Beech Hollow Trail provides visitors the opportunity to identify common plant and wildlife species of the area as well as enjoy a peaceful and relaxing walk. Amenities to the trail include sitting benches, interpretive stops and picnic tables.

Persimmon Hill Multi-Purpose Trail (Trail Map Side A & Side B)

The Persimmon Hill Multi-Use Trail is nestled in between the Persimmon Hill Campground and Persimmon Hill Boat Ramp. The trail is 3,200 feet in length, paved, and provides an excellent and safe area for children and adults to walk, jog, ride bicycles, view wildlife, and enjoy the beautiful scenery at Enid Lake. Trail amenities include: benches and rest areas, landscaping, lights for those who enjoy evening ventures, wildlife feeders, a waterfall, and two entrances and parking areas that are accessible to the physically challenged. Interpretive stops are also located along the trail to identify the many plant and tree species common to the area. Trail brochures are available for the trail and can be obtained at the trail heads and the Enid Lake Field Office. An amphitheater is also located along the trail for interpretive and educational programs.

Water Valley Landing Trail

The Water Valley Landing Trail is located adjacent to the Water Valley Landing Campground and is approximately ½ mile long. The trail is a quiet meandering trail that provides visitors with scenic glimpses of Enid Lake’s shoreline and presents opportunities to discover plant, tree and wildlife species that inhabit the area.

Plum Point Trail

The Plum Point Trail is a 9 mile equestrian/hiking trail located adjacent to the Plum Point Campground. This trail meanders along Enid Lake’s shoreline and winds through upland and bottomland hardwood forests. This trail offers riders and hiking enthusiasts a chance to view common plant, tree and wildlife species that inhabit the area, and a chance to relax and enjoy the many scenic views of Enid Lake.
 
Spyglass Hill Trail

Spyglass Hill Trail is a 20 mile multi-purpose trail located along the south side of Enid Lake between Point Pleasant Recreation Area and Spyglass Hill.  The trail offers visitors opportunities to ride horses, walk, hike, and jog.  In addition to recreational opportunities, the trail is used for educational and interpretive programs.  One of the main features of the Spyglass Hill Trail is Ford's Well.  Ford's Well is a point of historical significance for many local citizens who recall friends and family members who were attracted to the area in the early 1900s to either drink or bathe in the therapeutic well water.  Visitors will step back in time when they arrive to find hand-hewn timber buildings, to include a barn/crib, outhouse, blacksmith shop and a cabin.  These buildings depict the type of environment that would have been present at Ford's Well during its hey day around the turn of the century.  In addition to the trail and turn-of-the-century buildings, visitors will find a Class A wrangler campground with 18 campsites with amenities that cater to the equestrian camper.  Spyglass Hill Trail also offers outdoor enthusiasts numerous locations for viewing plant and tree species as well as wildlife species that are natural to the area.  Nature photographers wil find Spyglass Hill Trail a perfect location for capturing a late summer sunset or a rock sculpture made from some of the largest sandstone outcrops in the area.  Amenities to the trail include parking areas, a picnic shelter, gazebo, hitching rails, picnic tables, rest stops, and a shower house.  Spyglass Hill Trail has been recognized and is part of the National Recreational Trail System.

Trail Hazards

Visitors to Enid Lake Trails are reminded to always stay on the trail, and watch for poisonous plants including: poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Visitors need to watch their step and keep a close look out for holes and venomous snakes. Venomous snakes common to all areas include: rattlesnake, cottonmouth and copperhead. Keep in mind that while skunks and other woodland creatures may look cute and cuddly, approaching them or other wildlife species may have unpleasant consequences.

With over 21,000 acres of surface water Enid offers excellent opportunities for boating enthusiasts. Whether you are looking for a place to show off your skills on skis, an area to pull children on a tube or just a place to sit back, relax and enjoy beautiful scenery from the water, Enid Lake is the place for you. Boat launching ramps are available in all recreation areas to provide close access to your favorite boating location.

Remember...BOAT SMART, BOAT SAFE

Launching Fees:

Most boat ramps on Enid Lake require the use of an annual pass or the payment of a $5.00 day use fee.  There are free boat launching ramps located at Bynum Creek, Point Pleasant and Prophet Bridge Recreation Areas. 

Boat Ramps/Lake Elevations           

Enid Lake’s Day Use Areas offer visitors numerous opportunities to enjoy a day of fun in the sun. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful and relaxing day picnicking or taking in the many scenic views of the lake, or they may choose a more invigorating sport like swimming, hiking, boating, basketball, volleyball or tennis.  No matter what activity your family or group chooses to participate in, there is something for everyone at Enid Lake. 

With a total of 15 recreation areas located around the lake that offer a variety of outdoor activities and amenities for the entire family, including picnic tables with grills, picnic shelters with water and electrical service, playgrounds, nature trails, restrooms, swimming beaches, drinking water, handicap accessible fishing pier, and boat ramps.

Enid Lake Day Use Areas

Reservable Picnic Shelters

Picnic shelters for family or company picnics can be reserved through the Enid Lake Field Office. The cost for reserving a picnic shelter is $50 per day. Reservations can be made by calling 662-563-4571.

Enid Lake Boat Ramps

Click on the link below for a list of boat ramps and elevations.

Boat Ramps/Lake Elevations

Launching Fees:  Most boat ramps on Enid Lake require the use of an annual pass or the payment of a $5.00 day use fee.  There are free boat launching ramps located at Bynum Creek, Point Pleasant and Prophet Bridge Recreation Areas.  (For more information on the User Fee Program, click on the link below.)

Enid Lake Beaches

Hickory Ridge
Persimmon Hill
Plum Point
Chickasaw Hill
Long Branch

Designated swimming beaches provide visitors a safe and enjoyable environment for swimming and other water sports.  When visiting these beaches, we urge everyone to practice water safety.  The swimming areas are marked with orange buoys and visitors are required to stay within this area.  There is also a “Rescue Device Station” on each beach which has a throw bag, a reach pole, and general instructions on their proper use.  These devices are to be used only for emergencies or for water safety demonstrations by rangers.  There are white depth marker poles located within each swimming area.  These poles are marked in feet and are intended to inform swimmers of the approximate depth of the water.

The cost for using designated swimming beaches is $2  for walk-in, $5 per vehicle, or $20 per bus. There is no charge for children under the age of sixteen.

Enid Lake Playgrounds

Children are important visitors to Enid Lake!  For their enjoyment, we have installed seven playgrounds around the lake.  They are located in the following Day Use Areas:

Hickory Ridge
Persimmon Hill
Riverview
Chickasaw Hill
Water Valley Landing
Plum Point
Long Branch

FISHING

Fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities at Enid Lake. Each year anglers travel from across the nation to enjoy fishing for bass, bream, crappie, and catfish. Boat launching ramps are available in all recreation areas to provide anglers easy access to their favorite fishing locations.  And, for those anglers who fish without boats, there are plenty of shoreline miles for bank fishing. We also provide an accessible fishing pier located along the river downstream of the dam. In order to promote the sport of fishing Enid Lake hosts two annual fishing events that include a Youth Fishing Rodeo that is held in conjunction with Hunting and Fishing Day and Physically Challenged Fishing Day. 

Maintaining fish habitat is very important to the staff at Enid Lake.  Each year during Enid's annual Habitat Day Natural Resource personnel and local volunteers replenish lost habitat in the lake bottom by placing stake beds and cedar trees along creeks that feed the lake and in barren areas of the lake bottom. The purposes of the manmade shelters are to provide fish a place to seek shelter from predators, and to provide safe areas for fish to feed and spawn.  Without the support of a very large volunteer network, it would be impossible to sustain a healthy fisheries population at Enid and it is with the help of our volunteers that large numbers of fish shelters are placed in the lake annually.   According to studies performed by MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, the fish habitat restoration program has shown enormous benefits for the growth of the fisheries at Enid Lake.

As a service to anglers, Enid Lake provides maps with the locations of many of the shelters in the following locations:

Bean Creek (Map)

Billy's Creek and Mooney Creek (Map)

Rowsey Creek and Bynum Creek (Map)

Wallace Creek (Map)

Enid Lake is famous for being home of the World Record Crappie which was caught by Fred Bright in July 1957. The trophy fish weighed in at 5 pounds 3 ounces.  Year after year anglers return to Enid Lake in search of that new World Record and as long as that search is on Enid Lake will remain one of the most popular fishing destinations in the Southeastern United States.  So, if your looking for a place to test your fishing skills, come give Enid Lake a try!

Launching Fees:

Most boat ramps on Enid Lake require the use of an annual pass or the payment of a $5.00 day use fee.  There are free boat launching ramps located at Bynum Creek, Point Pleasant and Prophet Bridge recreation areas. 

Boat Ramps/Lake Elevations

Enid Lake Map 

For more information about Habitat Day, contact the Enid Lake Field Office at (662) 563-4571.

HUNTING

Enid Lake provides excellent hunting opportunities with over 17,000 acres of managed forest lands. Throughout the fall, hunters spend countless hours scouting and hunting the abundance of wildlife that includes deer, squirrel, rabbit, turkey and duck.  Through partnerships and volunteer efforts, Enid Lake manages two premier wildlife management areas – Springdale Wildlife Management Area (Deer Hunting Only) and Dean Hill Wildlife Management Area at “Wildcat Brake”.  These areas encompass more than 3,700 acres of unique habitat and prime hunting opportunities. Hunters are provided an opportunity to hunt in a sanctuary of old river runs, sloughs, open bottom lands, wetland grasses and a mixture of hardwood and pine stands.  Throughout the year Enid Rangers spend numerous hours introducing children to the outdoors and promoting environmental stewardship and wildlife/fisheries ethics.

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS

Springdale Wildlife Management Area - 1,537 Acres     

Dean Hill Wildlife Management Area at "Wildcat Brake" - 2,276 Acres

 MS Lakes Corps of Engineers 2019-2020 Hunting Policy

Enid Lake Hunting Map

Enid Lake Hunting Policy