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Mississippi state parks are getting exciting upgrades and additions. Here's what's coming

brian broom, mississippi clarion-ledger
·3 min read

Several popular state parks will soon be closed to camping, but be patient; the renovations that will take place will make your camping experience much more enjoyable when they reopen.

"We already completed Buccaneer last year and we upgraded Tishomingo as well," said Brian Ferguson, chief of staff of the Parks Division of Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. "Every state park is going to see upgrades. We're paying attention to every state park."

Upcoming closures to camping include Paul B. Johnson, Roosevelt and Percy Quin state parks on Sept. 5. Guests can still stay at the hotels and cabins and a limited number of campsites will remain open at Paul B. Johnson State Park. Day-use facilities and other amenities will remain open at the parks. Camping is expected to resume next summer.

Other popular parks that will experience major upgrades include Clarkco and Natchez state parks.

"We're focusing on our six high-use parks," Ferguson said. "These are the ones that are getting millions in improvements at one time."

Ferguson said the improvements are part of a 5-year comprehensive plan. Funding is coming from the Mississippi Legislature and American Rescue Plan Act funds. Ferguson said there is currently about $50 million in available funds and will be asking for more in coming legislative sessions.

Standing near one of the crumbling camper pads at Roosevelt State Park, MDWFP parks division chief of staff Brian Ferguson talks about how much larger new pads will be once the agency renovates the park and others in the state.
Standing near one of the crumbling camper pads at Roosevelt State Park, MDWFP parks division chief of staff Brian Ferguson talks about how much larger new pads will be once the agency renovates the park and others in the state.

What upgrades should campers expect?

  • Improved roads

  • Upgrades to electrical systems and more 50 amp outlets for campers

  • Larger camper pads with patios that include barbecue grills and picnic tables

  • Upgraded water systems

  • Updated cabins and other facilities

  • A rollout of WiFi at campgrounds

  • Added amenities such as interpretive hiking trails, pickleball courts and kayak and paddle boat rentals

What campers are saying

Mike and Laurie Watson of Brandon were recently camping at Roosevelt State Park and are looking forward to the project because it's a park they visit often.

"I think it's great," Mike Watson said. "One of the things we enjoy is the size of the sites so you have some privacy."

Despite the aging campsites, Watson said they haven't had any issues, they are limited to which sites they can use because not all have 50 amp electrical outlets. Watson said they can camp at sites with 30 amp outlets, but can't run everything at once. So the electrical upgrades will open all the sites to them.

"It's nice just to be able to run everything," Watson said.

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Mike and Laurie Watson of Brandon talk with MDWFP Parks division chief of staff Brian Ferguson and and his assistant Anna Grace Savell about upcoming renovations at Roosevelt State Park and others.
Mike and Laurie Watson of Brandon talk with MDWFP Parks division chief of staff Brian Ferguson and and his assistant Anna Grace Savell about upcoming renovations at Roosevelt State Park and others.

Danny Lowery of Morton said he's been camping at state parks for decades and has seen the decline.

"My wife and I have been married for almost 50 years," Lowery said. "We spent the first few years going around to state parks and camping.

"They have gone down. We're excited to see improvements being made. It would be a better experience with improvements."

Why spend millions of dollars on parks?

State parks in Mississippi had become outdated and in need of repair due to inadequate funding and users began to decline.

"It started tapering off in the last 10 years," Ferguson said. "We've known about this a decade, at least."

However, the decline isn't because people stopped camping.

"People are leaving the state," Ferguson said. "People are still going camping, but they're going out of state to do it."

Parks also have become more in demand due to the pandemic.

"Since COVID, people have rejoined the outdoors a lot," Ferguson said. "People were forced to go outside.

"People are staying longer. Our parks are benefitting from people going outside and exploring."

With renovations, Ferguson hopes the parks system will see more guests and become financially independent.

"That's our goal," Ferguson said. "We want it to generate revenue and sustain itself."

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Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Exciting new features coming to Mississippi state parks