Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a wide area during the day, the woodpeckers are rarely seen at these trees unless one gets
there before dawn and waits for them to wake up at sunrise.
For more information, a map of the forest and excellent maps of the wilderness areas and
trails, write to Forest Supervisor, National Forests in Mississippi, 100 W. Capitol Street, Suite
1141, Jackson, MS 39269.
HOMOCHITTO NATIONAL FOREST
Homochitto National Forest is located in southwestern Mississippi along US 84 and
was the first national forest in Mississippi. Like many other national forests in this state,
Homochitto is a patchwork mixture of federal and private lands, and few nonhunting recre-
ational opportunities are available. The best spot to camp, hike, and bird is around Clear
Springs Lake, which is about 4 miles south of consolidated US 84/98, almost halfway
between Roxie and Bude. There are prominent signs showing the way to the lake down
County Road 104. US 84/98 is a four-lane road at the point where CR 104 goes south for 3.8
miles to the lake recreation area.
There is a short hiking trail around the lake and among the camping areas. A new (built
in 1991 and 1992) trail begins just north of the entrance to the Clear Springs Lake recre-
ation area and takes a 10.5-mile loop route through the mostly pine forest, past several small
streams. A map showing the route of the trail is at the trailhead; hopefully, a trail map will
soon be available to the public. This trail provides easy walking and is the best opportunity
for birding in this forest. While red-cockaded woodpecker is a remote possibility, one is more
likely to spot the common pine woodland birds of this area: brown-headed nuthatch, pine
warbler, pileated woodpecker, the other local woodpecker species, white-eyed vireo, Caro-
lina wren, Carolina chickadee, great-crested flycatcher, and others.
