U.S. Forest Service · National Forests in Mississippi · Richton, MS

Turkey Fork Recreation Area

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.

Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

More like this: electric hookups in Mississippi · first-come in Mississippi · reservable in Mississippi · pets allowed in Mississippi · group sites in Mississippi

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
RV CampsiteBathhousePicnic ShelterBoat Ramp Area
Photos courtesy of Rhyne, rhyne · Recreation.gov

Site mix

RV with electric20
group shelter nonelectric1
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

21 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeFits, ftPowerPeople / vehiclesFires
1RV LoopRV electric4050 amp6 / 2Yes
2RV LoopRV electric3050 amp6 / 2Yes
3RV LoopRV electric2050 amp6 / 2Yes
4RV LoopRV electric2050 amp6 / 2Yes
5RV LoopRV electric2050 amp6 / 2Yes
6RV LoopRV electric4050 amp6 / 2Yes
7RV LoopRV electric2050 amp6 / 2Yes
8RV LoopRV electric2050 amp6 / 2Yes
9RV LoopRV electric4050 amp6 / 2Yes
10RV LoopRV electric3550 amp6 / 2Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 02:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsElectric
EquipmentRVs & trailers
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions

The campground has six RV campsites available for reservation. 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.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusOpen
ForestNational Forests in Mississippi
FeesEntrance 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.

National Forests in Mississippi recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Turkey Fork Recreation Area40°50°60°70°80°90°January: 6.12 inches of precipitationFebruary: 5.06 inches of precipitationMarch: 6.03 inches of precipitationApril: 5.42 inches of precipitationMay: 5.18 inches of precipitationJune: 5.69 inches of precipitationJuly: 6.05 inches of precipitationAugust: 5.72 inches of precipitationSeptember: 4.06 inches of precipitationOctober: 4.20 inches of precipitationNovember: 4.17 inches of precipitationDecember: 6.16 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 48.6°F averageFebruary: 52.4°F averageMarch: 59.0°F averageApril: 65.6°F averageMay: 73.5°F averageJune: 80.1°F averageJuly: 82.1°F averageAugust: 81.9°F averageSeptember: 77.7°F averageOctober: 67.4°F averageNovember: 56.8°F averageDecember: 50.8°F average0 in2 in4 in6 in8 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Beaumont Expstation, 15 miles from the campground at 194 feet, station USC00220585 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 64 inches a year.

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.

Nearest townRichton, Mississippi
Coordinates31.3392° N, 88.7033° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearSacks Outdoors ↗34.6 mi
RV sales & serviceCountry Creek RV & Marine ↗41.4 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Site 10 Turkey Fork Campground MS

  • 0.1 mi
    Turkey Fork Hiking Trail
    1.1 mi trail

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Natural features

Turkey Fork Recreation Area is built around the 240-acre Turkey Fork Reservoir.

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.

Guidebooks for Mississippi

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Guide to the Natchez Trace Parkway
    F. Lynne Bachleda, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Exploring coastal Mississippi
    Scott B. Williams, 2014
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Civil War Mississippi
    Michael Ballard, 2012
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Turkey Fork Recreation Area?

For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Turkey Fork Recreation Area?

Entrance Fees: $5 per vehicle, per day. Over 6 people, add $1 per person. Covers day-use, picnic area, and boat launch.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Turkey Fork Recreation Area?

Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 02:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Turkey Fork Recreation Area open right now?

Open as of Oct 16, 2026.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Turkey Fork Recreation Area have?

21 sites, including 20 RV sites with electric and 1 group shelter nonelectric.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I bring an RV to Turkey Fork Recreation Area?

Turkey Fork Recreation Area is listed for tents only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Does Turkey Fork Recreation Area have hookups?

Yes, electric hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there showers or a dump station at Turkey Fork Recreation Area?

Flush toilets, and showers is available at the campground bathhouse.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Turkey Fork Recreation Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Turkey Fork Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Turkey Fork Recreation Area?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Turkey Fork Recreation Area?

Turkey Fork is a popular recreation destination offering premier fishing, camping, picnicking and watersports activities, such as swimming and skiing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Turkey Fork Recreation Area?

Richton, Mississippi.

Source: Getting there