Lake Lowndes State Park

A hidden gem of nature beckons in eastern Mississippi

At 3319 Lake Lowndes Road, Lake Lowndes State Park sits on its namesake, a beautiful 150-acre lake in Lowndes County about eight miles southeast of Columbus, Miss., near the Alabama line.

Lowndes County built the lake when it dammed Ellis Creek in the early 1960s. The county later sold the property to the state. The lake drops to more than 30 feet deep in places. Lake Lowndes holds good populations of bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, catfish and crappie, but park visitors can do more than fish.

“The park provides complete recreational facilities for individuals, families and groups to enjoy,” said Penny Wyers, the park manager. “The park has unlimited opportunities for fishing and camping. It is one of two Mississippi state parks with an equestrian trail that can also be used for mountain biking. The nature hiking trail is actually named after Columbus’s mascot, the opossum.”

People might spot various wildlife such as deer, raccoons, squirrels, opossums or other animals. Bird watchers could see a variety of herons, egrets, song birds and other birds. Take a stroll or paddle a kayak quietly along the lake shoreline at dawn or dusk to watch for wildlife. Lucky adventurers might spot a bald eagle snatching a meal from Lake Lowndes.

“The land that is now Lake Lowndes has stories about the area’s agricultural history and nature development,” Wyers said. “We have a piebald doe deer that usually has twins or triplets every year. People enjoy seeing glimpses of foxes as well.”

Sports

For athletes who like playing organized sports, the park contains five ballfields, six tennis courts and other facilities. People can also enjoy the picnic area or play 18 holes on the disc golf course.

“The park has so many sport playing options,” Wyers said. “It houses the only indoor basketball court that is also setup for indoor pickleball. All six tennis courts have been recently renovated and painted. The New Hope High Tennis Team uses the courts for practice and for their home matches.”

For overnight visitors, Mississippi began renovating some cabins with new ceilings, countertops made with custom counters, updated bathrooms, new light fixtures, new appliances, new furniture and bedding, rebuilt decks and fresh paint. People can also park recreational vehicles in campsites or enjoy primitive tent camping. The state recently built a new campground bathhouse.

“A brand new ‘tiny home’ has been built as a bathhouse for the campgrounds,” Wyers said. “There’s a new steel firepit in the community area for campers as well as new playground equipment. Both amenities were done by Friends of Lake Lowndes. I told the group about a community fire pit area that I saw while visiting a South Carolina state park and they made my vision come true. I also wanted to give the children a small playground set located inside the campground so families wouldn’t have to go to the large playground.”

Columbus

The park does not offer food service, but people can take a short drive to Columbus to sample the cuisine at multiple restaurants for varied tastes. In Columbus, people can also buy any necessary fuel, groceries or other supplies.

“Lake Lowndes State Park is a hidden gem with breathtaking views,” Wyers said. “The park provides excellent views of the night sky to see the moon and stars because it is free from light pollution. The campground is spacious between sites and offers plenty of shade. Come visit this quiet, peaceful and beautiful state park and enjoy everything nature has to offer.”

The park stays open all year long. For more information, see www.mdwfp.com/parks-destinations/park/lake-lowndes-state-park or call 662-328-2110.