Turkey Fork Recreation Area
Campground · Mississippi · 21 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Restricted Area · Restricted Access
- 21
- Bookable sites
- up to 6
- People per site
- 231 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Turkey Fork Recreation Area is the most popular recreation area on the DeSoto National Forest and one of the most visited outdoor recreation areas in south Mississippi, offering three bathhouses, a picnic area, two swim areas, a boat ramp, a floating pier, 20 RV campsites, and 8 primitive camping sites, which surround a 240-acre lake
The lake is stocked with catfish, bass, and bluegill. Recreational opportunities at Turkey Fork include fishing, water sports, camping, picnicking, and hiking. With all these opportunites, a visit to Turkey Fork Recreation Area will provide its visitors with an enjoyable outdoor experience and memories to take home.
Recreation
Turkey Fork is a popular recreation destination offering premier fishing, camping, picnicking and watersports activities, such as swimming and skiing.
It has a boat ramp, floating dock, two swim areas, and three bathhouses. The 240 acre lake stocked with bass, crappie, and bluegill. Day use visitors will find secluded picnicking sites located near the beach. A ¾ mile hiking trail connects the day use area to the camping area.
Facilities
The campground has six RV campsites available for reservation. Additional RV campsites are available on a first-come, first served basis. Each campsite has water and electric hookups, picnic table, and fire-ring with grill. Flush toilets, and showers is available at the campground bathhouse. A campground host is on-site.
Natural Features
Turkey Fork Recreation Area is built around the 240-acre Turkey Fork Reservoir.
The facts
- 21 bookable sites
- Up to 6 people per site
- Loops: RV Loop, Turkey Fork Pavilion
Site types
- 20 RV Electric
- 1 Group Shelter Nonelectric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Campfires allowed
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, shade.
21 campsites at Turkey Fork Recreation Area
Check-in 02:00 PM · Check-out 02:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 10 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 11 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 12 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 13 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 14 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 15 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 16 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 17 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 18 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 19 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 2 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 20 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 3 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 4 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 5 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 6 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 7 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 8 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 9 | RV Loop | Rv Electric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| Turkey Fork Pavilion | Turkey Fork Pavilion | Group Shelter Nonelectric | — | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Hattiesburg
Travel East on U.S. Hwy. 42 approximately 21 miles to Richton. From Richton continue east on Hwy. 42 approximately 12 miles to Sandhill.
From Laurel
Travel South on Hwy. 15 approximately 27 miles to Richton. Turn left onto U.S. Hwy. 42 and travel 12 miles to Sandhill.
From Mobile, Alabama
Drive approximately 55 miles on U.S. Hwy. 45 North to the MS-AL state lines and travel west on Hwy. 42 for 19 miles to Mississippi County Road 232. Turn left (south) and travel two miles to Turkey Fork.
31.33916, -88.70329 · 31°20'21.0"N 88°42'11.9"W
Typical weather
Typically 94°F in Aug, down to 62°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 62 | 66 | 73 | 80 | 87 | 92 | 94 | 94 | 90 | 82 | 71 | 64 |
| Low °F | 36 | 39 | 45 | 52 | 60 | 68 | 71 | 70 | 65 | 53 | 42 | 38 |
| Precip in | 6.1 | 5.1 | 6.0 | 5.4 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 5.7 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 6.2 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 14.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Turkey Fork Recreation Area
- Can you reserve a site at Turkey Fork Recreation Area?
- Yes, Turkey Fork Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Turkey Fork Recreation Area have?
- 21 sites.
- Are pets allowed at Turkey Fork Recreation Area?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Turkey Fork Recreation Area.
- Does Turkey Fork Recreation Area have hookups?
- Electric.
- Are campfires allowed at Turkey Fork Recreation Area?
- Campfires are allowed at Turkey Fork Recreation Area. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Turkey Fork Recreation Area also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Turkey Fork Recreation Area's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Entrance Fees: $5 per vehicle, per day. Over 6 people, add $1 per person. Covers day-use, picnic area, and boat launch. Use new fee machine. Campground Fees: $20 per campsite, per night at the full service camping area. $7 per campsite, per night at the tent camping area. Covers use of all other are
Camping near Turkey Fork Recreation Area
- Cypress Creek Landing 31.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lock 1 42.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Service 43.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Big Biloxi Recreation Area 58.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Airey Lake 49.7 mi · Campground
- Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel and Spa 59.6 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 601-428-0594
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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