National Forests in Mississippi
About Us 
Travel Management/ Motor Vehicle Use Map
National Forests
in Mississippi
100 W. Capitol Street
Suite 1141
Jackson, MS. 39269
601-965-1600
In The NEWS
National Forests in Mississippi
Travel Management Rule Implementation
News Release - 8 September, 2009
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI—Forest Supervisor Margrett “Gretta” Boley announced today that the National Forests in Mississippi have completed all steps necessary to implement the travel management rule. Publication of motor vehicle use maps (36 CFR 212.56) for each ranger district finalizes the designation process. Under the travel management rule, motor vehicle use maps are the principal enforcement tool for motor vehicle regulations.
This effort was completed in response to the USDA Forest Service’s travel management rule that
required all National Forests and Grasslands to work with the public and identify appropriate
routes for motor vehicles. For the National Forests in Mississippi, this means that motorized
travel is allowed only on designated routes (roads and trails). The only exception is for big game
retrieval within most parts of Wildlife Management Areas (374,000 acres) during the legal
hunting season for white-tailed deer.
Boley said that the National Forests in Mississippi made a concerted effort to involve the public throughout this process by holding numerous meetings across the state, and hundreds of individuals were involved. “All people interested in motorized access on National Forest System lands are encouraged to continue their involvement with travel management planning at the local level, because each motor vehicle use map will be reviewed annually and changes made as necessary to address access and resource protection needs”, she said.
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Tombigbee National Forest Announces Closing of Choctaw Lake Campground for Upgrades
News Release - 21 August, 2009
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI—Tombigbee District Ranger John Baswell Jr., announced today the closing of Choctaw Lake Campground effective September 14th, 2009. The site will close temporarily for upgrades to the electrical system in order to provide more efficient hook-ups for forest visitors.
The Choctaw Lake Recreation Area, surrounding the 100-acre Choctaw Lake, will remain open to the public for day use activities. The site is located 3 miles south of Ackerman on Hwy 15 and offers ADA accessible walking/hiking trails around the campground.
For more information on your National Forests in Mississippi, visit our website @ www.fs.fed.us/r8/mississippi/ or stop by your local forest office.
Welcome
We are about the land, the people and quality of life. Our programs generate financial support for communities that contain national forest lands; revenues are designated for improvements to county roads and public schools. We provide, through economic recovery grants, dollars as well as technical and administrative support to local agencies and communities.
The 1.2 million acres of public lands located in six forests across Mississippi are very diverse. 
Within these lands there are over 2,000 acres of lakes and ponds and 600 miles of streams that are open to the public for fishing. We have 14 wildlife management areas; operated by Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. In these areas, emphasis is placed on intensive management of games species such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey and 
bobwhite quail.
On some of the forested lands, as we manage for healthy tree stands, we are also able to provide a sustainable harvest to meet the demands of you, our constituents, for lumber, paper and other wood products. Forested areas are also managed to provide unique habitats for wildlife and opportunities for people to experience primitive natural surroundings.
These lands also provide year-round recreational opportunities. Come; enjoy our trails, camping, fishing, hunting, swimming and day use areas as well as our heritage resources and natural history. I invite you to spend time with us and discover all that awaits you in your National Forests in Mississippi.
Our hope is that you will benefit from the messages and information we are providing here on the "web".
Spotlight
Davis Lake Recreation Area
Located 21 miles south of Tupelo, Mississippi, and 12 miles north of Houston, adjacent to Davis Lake. Terrain is hilly. Facilities provided include restrooms, a boat ramp, landing piers for water skiing, and a swimming beach. Temperatures are moderate to cool from March to May, and hot and humid from June to August. Cooling trend from September to November. Mid-summer nights are pleasant temperatures. Popular activities include Kid's Fishing Day in late May, swimming, picnicking, boating, fishing, bird watching, and water skiing. Pavilion available.
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Things To Do
Jackson, Mississippi
Jacksonians are extremely proud of their famed southern hospitality and quality of life. Community support is strong for the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra , the Mississippi Opera , and the Atlanta Braves Triple-A Affilate Mississippi Braves professional baseball team, along with the Mississippi Museum of Art , the Natural Science Museum, Agriculture and Forestry Museum , Mississippi Children's Museum and the Smith-Robertson Museum and Cultural Center , along with the Old Capitol Museum and other venues.
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Go to the Local Area Attractions page for information and links to areas surrounding each district.
Last Modified: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 11:09 AM