Percy Quin State Park

Blending the old and new in a scenic setting

Located at 2036 Percy Quin Drive about seven miles southwest of McComb in Pike County, Percy Quin State Park remains one of the original nine Mississippi state parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

The CCC began work on the park in 1935. Named for Percy Edwards Quin, a Mississippi congressman known for his philanthropic work with orphans, the park officially opened in 1939. In 1994, the state designated an older section of the park as an official Mississippi landmark. Today the park offers varied recreational activities.

“Percy Quin State Park is a delightful blend of old and new,” said Jennifer Miller, the park assistant manager. “The lodge is one of the original buildings from when the park opened in 1939. Loblolly pines and stately magnolia trees, rolling hills, spectacular seasonal flowers and a year-round mild climate await visitors to Percy Quin State Park.”

Lake Tangipahoa

The park encompasses Lake Tangipahoa, a 490-acre impoundment on the Tangipahoa River. The lake dates to 1936 and features a covered marina with 36 boat slips, a boat launch and a fish cleaning station. People can enjoy various water sports. Anglers without boats can fish off two piers.

Fed by the Tangipahoa River, the lake drained in 2012 when Hurricane Isaac damaged the dam. The lake reopened to fishing in 2016. Now, it produces good catches of largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish.

“We’re just 90 minutes from New Orleans with a colorful natural backdrop for a variety of outdoor activities,” Miller said. “Visitors can go fishing, boating, water skiing, play tennis and golf, hike, play on the playground, go swimming, camping and have a picnic.”

Golfers can play 18 holes at the Quail Hollow course. Quail Hollow uses the natural rolling terrain to create a very challenging course, even for the best golfers. Players can stay at two golf villas. Each villa can sleep up to 12 people. The park also offers a variety of other lodging opportunities ranging from primitive tent camping to motel rooms.

“We have 102 newly renovated campsites, each with full hook-ups, new concrete pads, picnic tables, a grill and a fire pit,” Miller explained. “Some are on the lake. We also have a primitive area for those wanting to tent camp without electricity as well as a premium primitive area with wooden platforms for campers who don’t want to place their tents on the ground. We also have 27 cabins, nine of them newly renovated, a group camp and a nine-room motel.”

Large gatherings

The group camp holds up to 100 people and accommodates civic camps, church groups, corporate retreats and other larger gatherings. Park visitors can also use meeting rooms, a pavilion, nature trail, playground, tennis courts and a newly renovated swimming pool. Buy supplies at the newly renovated camp store. The recently renovated chapel hosts weddings.

“We have 18 cabins and the golf villas that are undergoing renovation,” Miller said. “The cabins and villas should open in the spring or summer of 2026. We recently added our Love Lock Bridge where people can purchase locks to engrave and place to lock-in their memories of Percy Quin. The Pike County Baptist Association holds Sunday morning services at the chapel for overnight guests.”

In July 2025, Camp Sunshine celebrated its 50th anniversary at Percy Quin State Park. Camp Sunshine provides a week of adventures for campers and counselors. Activities include swimming, fishing, games, arts and crafts, a talent show, Special Olympics and many other events.

The park stays open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. all year long. For information call 601-684-3938. Online, see www.mdwfp.com/parks-destinations/park/percy-quin-state-park.