Mississippi: Percy Quin and Lake Lincoln State Parks Score High Marks
Lake Tangipahoa serves as the scenic centerpiece of Percy Quin State Park.
OVERVIEW
For visitors to Mississippi coming from the New Orleans or Baton Rouge areas, the state offers two excellent travel destinations: Lake Lincoln State Park and Percy Quin State Park. Both sit within a 60-minute drive from the Mississippi/Louisiana border on Interstate 55.
Park visitors often fish from this pier at Percy Quin.
PERCY QUIN STATE PARK
Located at 2036 Percy Quin Drive in McComb, Percy Quin offers more to do than most people could accomplish over a long weekend—and it also provides a beautiful setting centered around Lake Tangipahoa for those activities. There’s golfing (with the round ball or disc), camping, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, picnicking, gaming, attending a conference, playing tennis, going to church and even relaxing. Besides things to do, the park has plenty of places to stay, including 100 RV campsites, 27 cabins, four cottages, two golf villas, nine motel rooms and a group camping area. All these options are in wooded areas with lake views.
Lake Lincoln delivers natural beauty throughout the park.
LAKE LINCOLN STATE PARK
Lake Lincoln’s proximity to Interstate 55, U.S. Highway 51 and State Highway 27 gives visitors easy access. The park’s address is 2573 Sunset Road NE in Wesson. Besides boating and fishing on the lake, the park’s recreational activities include a swimming beach (which Arla visited), picnic area and shelter, nature trail, playground, volleyball count, disc golf and nondenominational Sunday worship services during the summer months. The options for staying overnight are 71 RV campsites, three cottages and a cabin.
Arla expresses concern about the lack of lifeguards at Lake Lincoln.
Lake Lincoln visitors may take a plunge in the cool water.
ARLA’S SHOCKING MOMENT
What? I spotted a sign that declared, “Swim at own risk, no lifeguards.” Now, I’m a highly skilled swimmer, but I think having a lifeguard at all swimming areas is a good idea. Without one, somebody could drown here. I started to share my concerns with people in the swimming area, but my warnings fell on deaf ears. Linda calmed me down by explaining that the water is shallow, calm and the children’s parents were watching. Just when I thought it was safe to go back into the water, Doug commented, “Of course, there could be water moccasins or alligators lurking in that tall grass over there.” Panicked, I started shouting, “Get out of the water! Get out of the water!” Soon, I met a stern park ranger who firmly told me to calm down. Muttering “swim at your own risk,” I turned my back on the swimmers and walked away to solve other problems.
Linda and Arla commemorate their visit to the Magnolia State by posing in front of a pair of magnolia trees at Percy Quin.
Arla gets a close-up view of a magnolia blossom.
LINDA’S TAKEAWAY
My fondest memory of Percy Quin State Park was admiring the magnolia trees. I’ve learned that the magnolia is Mississippi’s state tree and flower. In 1986 the American Forestry Association awarded a southern magnolia tree in Smith County, Miss., the distinctive title of National Champion. At a height of 122 feet and a trunk with a diameter of over six feet, this tree became the largest southern magnolia reported in the United States.
I’m interested in learning more about the history and future of magnolia trees because my mother, who recently passed away, often mentioned them as her favorite. When I see a magnolia tree, I smile and think of Mom’s love for this southern treasure.
Doug takes a break while hiking on the Percy Quin nature trail, which includes boardwalks over wetlands.
DOUG’S HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT
Percy Quin State Park was named in honor of Percy E. Quin, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1912 to 1932. He was well known for his philanthropy, especially in providing aid to orphans. Some of the orphans who lived in an orphanage that he founded contributed funds to the purchase of the land that became the state park.
History of Lake Lincoln
Lake Lincoln takes its name from the county where it resides, and the county was named in honor of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. The county was created in 1870 during the Reconstruction Era.
Percy Quin State Park features many magnolia trees.
GEE WHIZ FACTS
The magnolia, a common tree at Percy Quin State Park, is a native tree of the South and grows naturally from North Carolina to Florida and west through Louisiana and Arkansas to eastern Texas. Facts about the magnolia tree include:
Favors the rich moist soil found along the borders of river swamps
Attains heights of 60 to 90 feet
Grows trunk diameters up to four feet
PARTING SHOTS: TWO BEAUTIFUL PARKS CLOSE TO I-55
Linda surveys Lake Lincoln State Park from the vantage point of a fishing pier.
A great blue heron perches on a tree that has fallen into Lake Lincoln.
A hollow post on the dock at Lake Lincoln creates a natural terrarium for wild plants.
Boardwalks make it easy to stroll the Percy Quin nature trail.
Trees tower over the Percy Quin nature trail.
Lodging options at Percy Quin include four cottages.
Percy Quin has a sprawling campground with 100 spaces and a separate group camping area.
The Wayside Chapel at Percy Quin provides visitors with a small place to worship and pray.
Benches for seating during church services are outside the Wayside Chapel.
Arla checks out the 17th hole of the Lake Lincoln disc golf course.
Arla tells Linda that a fast-paced hike with her short legs isn’t possible.
Arla loves Lake Lincoln’s aquatic scene.