Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Park has twenty miles of trail, much of that is used by ATVs, mountain bikers, and horseback
riders; thus, hiking and bird watching may be interrupted regularly.
Containing an unusual geologic ridge that forms a high place in otherwise lower rolling
hills, the park has a fair amount of woods and edge habitat that is attractive to migrating song-
birds. Various warblers, tanagers, buntings, orioles, vireos, and other migrants are possible
here, but the appearance of any particular species and its timing are random throughout the
season. During the winter, various duck species sometimes use the lake. While not known as
a birding hotspot, Trace State Park is a nice place and has potential for good birding.
Information about the park can be obtained by writing Trace State Park, Rt. 1, Box 254,
Belden, MS 38826.
TOMBIGBEE STATE PARK
Located off SH 6 east of the Natchez Trace where it passes through Tupelo, Tombigbee
State Park is reached by going through the town of Tupelo on SH 6. About 1 mile east of the
Natchez Trace, SH 6 passes the Tupelo National Battlefield Site on the right; this unit of the
national park system must be one of the smallest as it barely covers three lots in the middle
of town. There is no special birding at the battlefield, but it is an interesting stop for the Civil
War history buff. At the eastern end of town, SH 6 turns to the south (right); if you turn left or
north at this intersection, you will come to the birthplace of Elvis Presley within two blocks.
After 3.2 miles on SH 6 south from the intersection, turn left onto State Park Road to get to
the park. This road goes straight into the park.
There is a large lake just inside the park entrance; belted kingfisher and eastern bluebirds
are often seen along the road next to the lake. Camping and cabins are available. Tree Trunk
Trail takes you through a hardwood forest; the trailhead is at the road loop just past the im-
proved campground. This is a good place to watch for various woodpecker species and for
woodland songbirds such as wood thrush, yellow-throated vireo, black-and-white warbler,
and summer tanager.
More information is available from Tombigbee State Park, Rt. 2, Box 336-E, Tupelo, MS
38801.
HOLLY SPRINGS NATIONAL FOREST
Holly Springs National Forest is made up of fragmented federal and private lands. Most
of the area delineated as the national forest is in private ownership. With the federal lands
not grouped into any one large area, there are no opportunities for wilderness recreation, for
preservation of large areas of habitat, or for long trails to be built. However, the forest does
have two very nice lakes for the birder to visit and explore. Chewalla Lake, at 260 acres, is
the largest of the two recreation lakes; it has camping facilities complete with 42 sites and
