If you want to combine education with adventure, there are a number of attractions located within a short drive of Trace State Park. In nearby Tupelo you can visit the Natchez Trace Parkway Headquarters, the birthplace of Elvis Presley, the Tupelo National Battlefield, the Vanity Fair Outlet Mall, and the Barnes Crossing Outlet Mall. Maybe William Faulkner's birthplace in New Albany or Brice's Crossroads Civil War Museum and Battlefield near Baldwyn would better suite you fancy. If so, you won't want to miss the 143rd anniversary re-enactment of the Battle of Brice's Crossroads to be held June 9-10, 2007.

If you would rather get a little wild, then perhaps you should check out the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo and take the tour on their Monster Bison Bus. With one of the largest buffalo herds east of the Mississippi River, you can view these impressive animals up close and personal. Along with Big John the buffalo, you can also see exotic animals like Sal the tiger, Patches the giraffe, and many more.

To learn more about Trace State Park and the opportunities that abound there, call (662) 489-2958.

JULY
Natchez State Park
Thanks to Hurricane Katrina wreaking havoc on the state parks along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I have selected Natchez State Park as my top choice for a family fishing vacation in South Mississippi. Natchez State Park is located just 10 miles north of historic Natchez, the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River. Prior to the Civil War more than half of the millionaires in the entire United States lived in Natchez, constructing elegant mansions unrivaled in size and elegance by any in the nation. Most of these splendid antebellum homes were spared during the Civil War, and many are now open for tours.

However, Natchez State Park is also famous in it's own right. The largest bass in Mississippi history -- a largemouth weighing 18.15 pounds -- was caught in Natchez Lake in 1992. Ever since, park's lake has become a hotspot for bass fishermen attempting to break the old record.

Known primarily for its giant Florida-strain largemouth bass, this 230-acre lake is also well stocked with catfish and bream. With a wide variety of structure available, from flooded creek channels and brush piles to submerged timber and abundant shoreline vegetation, bass anglers have a vast array of cover at which to cast a lure.

Although Natchez Lake isn't very large, a boat is necessary to reach most of the prime fishing spots. The lake has an excellent launch for anyone desiring to bring a boat. However, nice stringers of bream and catfish can be caught by fishing from the pier or along the shoreline.

Most young anglers prefer a bucket of crickets and a cane pole to the finest rod and reel bass combo on the market. There is just something uniquely exciting about watching a red and white bobber disappear below the surface as a fish tries to escape with your bait.

Natchez State Park offers everything a vacationing family requires. Ten lakeside, air-conditioned cabins equipped with bed and bath linens and basic kitchen necessities are available for those who want to feel like they are at home. Then there are 50 sites available for RV camping, featuring picnic tables, grills, and electrical and water hook-ups. Finally, for those who really want to rough it, a wooded area near the developed RV campground features eight sites suitable for tent camping. Picnic tables and bathhouses with showers are located near the primitive camping area.

A picturesque picnic area overlooking a stately southern pecan grove is located just a half-mile from Natchez Lake. Ten picnic sites feature tables and grills. Not far away is a playground for the kids and a scenic nature trail for the entire family to enjoy.