Holly Springs National Forest

Holly Springs National Forest is a large wooded area across six counties in northern Mississippi, combining pine stands, hardwood forests, lakes, and rolling terrain. The landscape includes several water bodies like Chewalla Lake, Puskus Lake, and Lake Tillatoba alongside dense woodland with varying elevations.

The forest was established in 1936 during the Great Depression, when the Civilian Conservation Corps planted pine trees to prevent soil erosion. This large-scale replanting program reshaped the landscape and remains visible in the forest's composition today.

The forest holds remnants of past settlements and farming communities that reveal how people have lived and worked this land over time. Walking through it, you can sense the long human history woven into the landscape.

The forest has multiple recreational areas and marked trails through different woodland types, with facilities available at the main lakes. Conditions vary considerably with the seasons, especially during rainy periods and warmer months, so plan accordingly.

Baker's Pond in the northernmost section marks the starting point of the Wolf River, which flows through Tennessee and Mississippi. This small water body gives rise to a river that travels across multiple states.

Location: Mississippi

Inception: June 15, 1936

Operator: United States Forest Service

Website: https://fs.usda.gov/detail/mississippi/about-forest/districts/?cid=stelprdb5209589

GPS coordinates: 34.73330,-89.13330

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40