Percy Quin State Park sits along the shores of Lake Tangipahoa in Pike County, Mississippi, offering one of the state’s most well-rounded outdoor escapes. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the park spans roughly 1,700 acres of rolling pine forests and hardwood bottomlands surrounding the 700-acre lake — a centerpiece that drives much of the activity here.

Fishing is a major draw. Lake Tangipahoa holds largemouth bass, crappie, bream, and catfish, and the park provides boat launches, a fishing pier, and rental boats for anglers who don’t want to haul their own. A sandy swimming beach opens during warmer months, and the lake is also popular for canoeing and kayaking.

On land, hikers and bikers can explore the Nature Trail system winding through the pine and hardwood forest. The park also features an 18-hole golf course, disc golf, miniature golf, and tennis courts — uncommon amenities for a state park that give it a resort-like feel without the resort price tag.

Camping options range from developed RV sites with full hookups to more secluded tent sites and comfortable cabins overlooking the lake. The cabins book up fast, especially in spring and fall.

The best time to visit is March through May and September through November, when temperatures are mild and the lake is less crowded. Summers are hot and humid but ideal for swimming. Winter stays quiet, making it a good pick for solitude and off-season fishing.

Percy Quin delivers variety — it’s hard to run out of things to do here.

Explore Nearby

• Homochitto National Forest — National Forest in Mississippi
• Natchez LightA — Lighthouse in Mississippi
• Tchefuncte River Range Rear Light — Lighthouse in Louisiana
• Tunica Trace Byway — Scenic Byway in Louisiana
• De Soto National Forest — National Forest in Mississippi