From boating to fishing, camping to golf, Madison County has it all when it comes to recreation. Learn more about Madison County’s various recreational activities below.
Ross Barnett Reservoir
Ross Barnett Reservoir is at the pinnacle of recreation in Madison County. Surrounding its 33,000 acres are golf courses, campgrounds, a waterpark, all types of sports facilities, and nature and cycling trails.
The reservoir is also home to boating enthusiasts who enjoy their sport year-round. Full-service marinas and public boat launching facilities make access easy for all water enthusiasts. The reservoir also draws many water skiers who want to enjoy their sport in a beautiful setting.
Fishermen from around the world come to the reservoir to enjoy the well-stocked waters. Catfish and crappie as well as many other fish abound in the waters of the reservoir. In fact, several fishing tournaments, including the BASSMASTER tournaments, are held annually at the reservoir.
Natchez Trace Parkway
 Running directly through Madison County and Ridgeland is the Natchez Trace Parkway. The 444-mile National Scenic Byway and All-American Road has emerged as one of America's most important examples of our nation's natural and cultural heritage. Administered by the National Park Service, the road's non-commercial environment coupled with a wide variety of historic sites, wayside exhibits and beautiful venues make it a memorable destination for an unhurried trip that both reveals and explains a unique time in our country's history. The Mississippi Crafts Center, located on the Natchez Trace Parkway in the Ridgeland area, features works of over 150 artisans, who are members of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi.
In addition to beauty and crafts, the Natchez Trace Parkway offers over 10 campgrounds; over 100 wayside exhibits; almost 400 types of wildlife, including over 22 federally listed threatened and endangered species; and over 800 types of plants. Visitors today will discover richly scenic areas, numerous hiking trails, picnic sites, and water recreation areas. Hiking on the Parkway presents both challenges and rewards. Over 60 miles of National Scenic Trail and 28 different hiking and self-guiding trails are open year-round. RVing on the parkway offers a great ride, and motorcycling is popular with hundreds of miles of scenic, winding road between Natchez and Nashville.
Camping
Several campgrounds are located near Madison County, such as Timberlake Campground, located near the reservoir, and Coal Bluff Campground, nestled in the woods overlooking the Pearl River. Other campgrounds include Goshen Springs Campground and Country Creek Resort.
Parks & Public Recreational Facilities
There are several parks to enjoy within the vicinity of Madison. Liberty Park is a multi-purpose sports complex that offers:
- 5 Lighted baseball/softball fields
- 5 Regulation soccer fields, 2 of which are lighted and can be subdivided as needed
- 5 Lighted batting cages
- 2 Beach volleyball courts
- Paved walking track
- Cross-country track is under construction
- Liberty Village Playground, designed from the imaginations of Madison children
Strawberry Patch Park is a seven-acre neighborhood park has been built on this beautiful site, which also features a two-acre lake. Walking trails have been combined with exercise stations, playground equipment and picnic areas to provide a place to exercise, or simply to enjoy the serenity of the lake.
Designed as a nature area, Simmons Arboretum has walking trails that run through varieties of Mississippi’s native plant life, trees, and shrubs.
Things to Do in Madison County
Jackson Zoological Park
jacksonzoo.com
Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum
mdac.state.ms.us
Mississippi Crafts Center
mscraftsmensguild.org
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
Eudora Welty House
Governor's Mansion
Manship House Museum
Old Capitol Museum of Mississippi History
State Capitol
mdah.state.ms.us
Mississippi Museum of Art
msmuseumart.org
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
mdwfp.com/museum
Mississippi Petrified Forest
mspetrifiedforest.com
Russell C. Davis Planetarium
city.jackson.ms.us/cityhall/planetarium.htm
Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame
msfame.com
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