outdoors: pat harrison waterway district
SPLENDOR
If you enjoy fishing, boating,
camping and other forms of
outdoor recreation, the Pat
Harrison Waterway District
(PHWD) has something to offer
you. And if you are anywhere
in South Mississippi, there is a
PHWD water park in close
range.
According to Executive
Director Hiram Boone, The Pat
Harrison is a Mississippi State
Agency that is responsible for
managing the rivers and their
tributaries along the Pascagoula
STORY BY MOLLIE REEVES
PHOTOS COURTESY PAT HARRISON WATERWAY DISTRICT
5 0 • south mississippi scene
River Basin in Southeastern and
East Central Mississippi. To
accomplish this mission, Mr.
Boone further mentions, the
PHWD focuses on flood control,
water management and recre-
ation. However, it’s probably
the recreation that the Pat
Harrison is most recognized
for, and it's more than just Flint
Creek. The District extends as
far north as Meridian and
Decatur with similar parks to
support that area as well. Mr.
Boone extends an invitation to
come and make some positive
memories at one of the parks of
the Pat Harrison Waterway
District.
The District operates nine
water parks, each one with
something special to offer the
nature lover and outdoorsman.
The nine parks offer some or all
of the following: Cabins, R.V.
and primitive camping sites,
water slides, boat launches,
shelters and lodge halls and
nature trails.
All of the water parks are
 Dunn’s Falls Water Park is
nestled in the pristine hills
along the Chunky River in
South Lauderdale County.
Here, along a shallow
stretch of the Chunky
River, the bluffs of the east-
ern bank rise to tree-top
level. From this lofty perch,
the flowing water of a
stream provides a natural
source of power for the
working water wheel
before making its sixty to
seventy foot decent to the
river below.
 located adjacent to rivers or
reservoirs.
The nine water parks serve a
15-county region in southeast
Mississippi and are close to
population areas along the
Mississippi Gulf Coast,
Louisiana and Alabama, accord-
ing to Stone Barefield Jr.,
District Water Park
Superintendent for the Pat
Harrison Waterway District.
More than 300,000 people
visit the parks each year to fish,
picnic, and walk nature trails.
Some families come for the day
or a weekend while others stay
for a week or more.
“We have generally had good
5 2 • south mississippi scene
fishing,” Barefield said. “The
parks host a number of fishing
tournaments every year. We
have a tournament, it seems, at
one of the parks almost every
weekend. Most of these are
fundraisers of some kind.”
A RCHUSA C REEK WATER P ARK
Archusa Creek Water Park is
located near Quitman, just off
Hwy. 45 and Hwy 18 East. The
park boasts a 450 acre lake and
offers camping, boating, swim-
ming and water skiing. The pic-
nic areas are equipped with
barbecue grills and family-size
picnic tables. The blue green
waters of the lake and the piney
woods provide a relaxing scene
for campers and fishermen year
round.
Archusa Creek has four cab-
ins for weekend outings and
vacations, as well as 69 camp-
sites. Twenty-one of the sites
have 50 amp service and 48 of
the sites have 30 amp service.
Other activities offered at
Archusa Creek include a Dixie
Youth baseball field, a disc
(frisbee) golf course, a play-
ground for children and a one-
half mile nature trail.
In the fall of each year, the
water park hosts its annual
Forestry and Wildlife Festival
that features chainsaw sculpt-
ing, races, and special events
and activities for all ages.
B I G C R E E K W A T E R PA R K
Big Creek Water Park, locat-
ed between Laurel and Collins
off Hwy 84 , offers year-round
fishing on a 200 acre lake and
developed camping spurs.
Visitors are attracted to the
beautiful countryside and abun-
dant fishing waters. Bass,
bream, crappie and catfish
abound, and the rolling green
countryside is a treat for the
eyes.
In addition to the camping
spurs, the park has two rental
cabins and two camphouses.
Big Creek also has a unique
beach area that makes for pleas-
ant swimming. The area is also
equipped with barbecue grills
and family picnic tables. And
aluminum boat rentals are
available year round.
Big Creek has a total of 49
campsites, including 31 sites
that have 50 amp service and 18
sites that have 30 amp service.
One of Big Creek’s claims to
fame is that it is home to one of
the oldest cedars in the state of
Mississippi. History lovers can
also enjoy exploring the historic
cemetery where the first home-
steaders of the area are buried.
DR Y C R E E K W A T E R PA R K
Dry Creek Water Park can be
found in Mt. Olive, just off
Hwy 49. Fishermen from all
over come to try their luck with
the abundant Florida bass, cat-
fish and crappie that can be
found in the park’s 150 acre
lake.
The quiet and secluded park
also offers 28 campsites with a
bathhouse, as well as picnic
areas with barbecue grills and
picnic tables. For larger groups
there is a private park pavilion
that can be reserved.
D U N N’ S F A L L S W A T E R PA R K
Dunn’s Falls Water Park is
nestled in the pristine hills
along the Chunky River in
South Lauderdale County.
Here, along a shallow stretch of
the Chunky River, the bluffs of
the eastern bank rise to tree-top
level. From this lofty perch, the
flowing water of a stream pro-
vides a natural source of power
for the working water wheel
before making its sixty to sev-
enty foot decent to the river
below.
The park features a 65-foot
water fall created in the mid
1850’s by John Dunn, an Irish
immigrant, that provides pris-
tine beauty. The curious and
nature lovers alike are drawn to
this peaceful spot. An 1857 grist
mill, moved from Cave Springs,
Georgia in 1987 and recon-
structed on the site of Dunn’s
original mill, as well as the rus-
tic homestead, fascinate history
buffs. Stocked with catfish and
complete with ducks, the mill
pond and picnic area are a
great location for a family out-
ing. The crystal clear river
offers fishing, canoeing and
swimming. A short walk
removes visitors from even a
nod to civilization as nature
trails wind through the woods,
which are home to wild turkey,
deer, squirrels and other
wildlife, carrying hikers - even-
tually - back to the pond.
Primitive camping sites are
available for those who like to
rough it. And paddleboats are
also available for rental.
F L I N T C R E E K W A T E R PA R K
Flint Creek Water Park, locat-
ed in Wiggins, consists of 1,900
acres and features a 600 acre
lake. The park is an easy 35
miles from the Mississippi Gulf
Coast. Fishermen can cast a
line 24-hours a day for bass,
bream, crappie or catfish.
The lake is also a favorite for
boating, water skiing and
swimming. Aluminum boat
rentals are available. Flint
Creek’s Water Town, with
kiddy waterslides and four
adult giant waterslides, is open
most of the year.
Camping and picnicking are
available all year round. With
156 fully developed camping
spurs, 34 vacation cabins, and
12 camphouses, Flint Creek is a
terrific place to spend week-
ends or vacations. Campers can
enjoy swimming at their own
private beach, or just enjoy
nature, taking a hike down the
nature trail, fragrant with
daisies, honeysuckle, roses and
red clover. Wild turkey, deer,
squirrels, ducks and other
waterfowl can often be found
along the lakeside.
The park offers 46 cabins,
including 34 vacation cabins
and 12 camphouses. There are
156 total campsites with
50/30/20 amp service. There
are also 42 undeveloped camp-
sites with water for primitive
camping.
Flint Creek offers picnic areas
south mississippi scene • 5 3
outdoors: pat harrison waterway district
equipped with barbeque grills
and picnic tables. For added
convenience, Flint Creek also
has two private pavilions and
one enclosed lodge hall.
Every July 4, the water park
holds it annual Fireworks
Display enjoyed by locals and
visitors alike. An annual
haunted forest is also held the
Saturday before Halloween.
L I T T L E B L A C K CR E E K
WATER P ARK
Little Black Creek Water
Park is located between Purvis
and Lumberton off Interstate
59. The park’s 600 acre lake is
stocked with plenty of catfish,
white perch, bream and large-
mouth bass. In addition to the
lake, Little Black Creek has a
pond stocked with channel cat-
fish. Overnight guests can
obtain a permit to fish for their
dinner in Lake Catch A-Lot.
The park has 106 scenic
campsites with power and
water and 20 cabins, with many
of those located on the lake or
the catfish pond.
Each summer Little Black
Creek hosts special events such
as children’s fishing rodeos,
open fishing tournaments, and
other special events.
MAYNOR C REEK WATER P ARK
Maynor Creek Water Park is
located six miles west of
Waynesboro off Hwy 84. The
park has a 450 acre lake where
fishermen can cast a line for
bream, catfish, crappie and
Florida bass.
Dogwoods and magnolias
bloom abundantly in the spring
while hickories paint a beauti-
ful picture of autumn color in
the fall.
Camping, boating, swim-
ming, water skiing and picnick-
ing are all part of the family
fun offered at Maynor Creek.
Aluminum boat rentals and
family picnic pavilions are also
available.
The park offers 69 campsites
as well as nine cabins, includ-
ing two bungalows and seven
vacation cabins. There are also
three open-air pavilions and
two lodge halls available.
O K A T I B B E E W A T E R PA R K
Okatibbee Water park is
located on Pine Spring Road,
just off Highway 19 North
northwest of Meridian. With 28
miles of shoreline, the 3,800-
acre reservoir offers abundant
bass fishing year round, as well
as water skiing. Splashdown
Country’s adult and kiddy
waterslides are open May
through Labor Day, with life-
guards on duty for added safe-
ty.
The park features 105 fully
developed camping spurs,
with 50 amp electrical service,
for camping enthusiasts. For
the slightly less adventurous,
four new vacation cabins are
available as well as a 25-room
motel.
For the naturalist, the park
is visited each December by
the American Bald Eagle.
TURKEY C REEK WATER P ARK
Open year-round, Turkey Creek Water
Park, with its 250 acre lake, attracts trav-
elers from many areas. Located just off
Highway 15, five miles southwest of
Decatur, the park is one of the most pop-
ular water skiing spots around, attracting
skiers as early as mid-March. This Pat
Harrison Water Park boasts excellent bass
fishing and offers boat rentals in addition
to camping.
Known for its conservation program,
Turkey Creek is enjoyed by explorers of
all ages. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy
hiking or biking the park’s nature trail
teeming with wild flowers, deer, squir-
rels, ducks, turkeys, and other wildlife.
For campers, the park has 22 fully
developed camping spurs as well as three
new vacation cabins available for rent.
Turkey Creek’s campgrounds feature a
picnic area and a playground with mod-
ern equipment for children of all ages.
The park also features a white sand
beach, wooded picnic areas, and nature
trails.
No matter which PHWD water park
you choose to visit, you’ll find beautiful
scenery, good fishing and a relaxing time.
Cabin prices for all of the parks range
from $70 to $117 a night. Campsite fees
range from $7.50 for primitive sites to $14
to $19 per night for the Class A (RV and
camper trailer) sites.
For more information on the Pat
Harrison Waterway District, you can visit
www.phwd.net or waterparkin.com. For
cabin reservations you can call 1-800-748-
9403 or 601-261-1247.

Cabins and meeting places can be found

at most of the parks of the Pat Harrison
Waterway District.

Water sports at the PHWD provide fun for

the entire family. Shelby Taranto enjoys
tubing at Flint Creek.