Tupelo is the ideal place for outdoor recreation, from simple outings to more significant connections with nature.

Fishing

The diversity and number of fishing spots in northeast Mississippi make Tupelo a fisherman's paradise. Some of the more popular spots include Enid Reservoir, Pickwick Lake, Lake Lamar Bruce, the Tombigbee waterway, Trace State Park and, of course, Elvis Presley Lake. The region is known for its crappie, smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish and bream fishing.

Golf

Lush greens and sculpted fairways await visitors to Tupelo’s various golf courses. The historic Bel Air public course offers nine holes, while members can enjoy the 72-par Tupelo Country Club, ranked as one of the best tracts in Mississippi. The challenging Natchez Trace and Bermuda-grass Big Oaks 18-hole courses can be found in nearby Saltillo.

Natchez Trace

Based on animal trails and the ancient pathways of Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee's first residents, the Natchez Trace Parkway is a vibrant cable to the roots of America. The 444-mile parkway, headquartered in Tupelo, is open to biking, hiking, horseback riding and considerate drivers. Along the trace sightseers will find prehistoric mounds, civil war battlegrounds and near-pristine wildlife.

Camping

One benefit of being almost smack-dab in the middle of the Natchez Trace is the number of great campsites that serve Tupelo. Trace State Park, Elvis Presley Lake and Campground and Tombigbee State Park are great locations for primitive and processed-site camping, cabin rental and all kinds of outdoor activity. Scenic, affordable RV hookups can be found at Barnes Crossing, Natchez Trace RV Park and certain sites in Tombigbee State Park.

Ballard Park

For a full range of activity, check out Ballard Park. Ballard Park Sportsplex has 153 acres of space dedicated to baseball, soccer and football plus a lot of other great recreation amenities. Outside of sports, the park holds a 3 acre lake, an ampitheatre, a skate park, disc golf course, and much more. It's also home to the Oren Dunn Museum and the Parks and Recreation Administrative Office.