Lake Lincoln State Park

This park and its lake abound in aquatic activities

Lake Lincoln State Park covers about 1,000 acres of Lincoln County at 2573 Sunset Road NE east of Wesson with easy access to Interstate 55 south of Jackson.

“Lake Lincoln State Park is a relatively new state park,” said Cindy Dunn, the park manager. “It became a state park in 1996. Its unique history includes preventing flooding miles away from the lake itself. It is the largest of five lakes built in the 1980s to mitigate flooding from the Pearl River basin.”

The eponymous spring-fed lake covers about 550 acres of the park. Lake Lincoln offers a variety of aquatic sports including boating, swimming and water skiing. People can fish all year long for bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie. Some brush piles established in the lake create fish-holding structures. Boaters can launch at a public ramp with a floating dock. Two fishing piers extend into the lake for people without boats.

“A variety of recreational activities and facilities are available at Lake Lincoln State Park,” Dunn said. “Swimmers have a designated area in the clear, clean water of Lake Lincoln. From the 1.5-acre sand beach where sunbathers can ‘catch some rays,’ swimmers can gradually descend into the lake and enjoy swimming in an area free of fishermen and boaters. People can water ski on the lake all year long.”

Hiking and golf

Besides the lake, people might leisurely hike a mile through the scenic natural setting of the park. The habitat consists mostly of loblolly and short-leaf pines, southern magnolias and dogwoods. In the spring, the blooming magnolias and dogwoods add natural color to the forests.

“Special care has been taken to preserve the dense cover of undisturbed vegetation, which not only enhances the beauty of the entire recreation area, but also aides in preventing soil erosion,” Dunn said. “The series of ridges throughout the terrain are utilized as natural buffers to separate facilities with the park.”

A multitude of birds live in or around the park. Look for shorebirds, like great blue herons, around the lake. From early fall through early spring, many migratory birds augment the local bird population. Various waterfowl might visit the lake during the fall and winter.

“The park offers visitors an 18-hole disc golf course, which is open to the public for a fee,” Dunn said. “The golf fee includes entry to the park. The Magnolia Cove Disc Golf Course is a part of the Southern National Disc Golf Association.”

Plenty to do

Besides the disc golf course, visitors can play on the volleyball court or use the picnic area. Two pavilions exist for larger events. Youngsters might enjoy themselves on the playgrounds. The chapel holds non-denominational Sunday worship services at the Magnolia Brush Arbor during the warmer months.

“Most day-use visitors spend time bank fishing, on the beach or picnicking,” Dunn said. “For our overnight visitors, the park offers spacious sties. The majority of them are heavily shaded. Overnight guests can use 71 full-service RV campsites that come with accommodations for water, electricity and sewers. Visitors can stay in three cottages with waterfront views and one cabin. We also have primitive camping sites.”

The park does not offer dining on the grounds, but visitors can find whatever they want in nearby Wesson, Brookhaven or other towns. The park stays open seven days a week all year long.

“People come for a day or a week and are treated like family,” Dunn said. “We are the most visited park in the area, offering a peaceful, quiet atmosphere for all guests. Whether canoeing or skiing, the lake is a place for fun.”

For information, call (601) 643-9044 or see www.mdwfp.com/parks-destinations/park/lake-lincoln-state-park.