Percy Quin State Park

🏆 CCC-Built Heritage Park — 1,700 acres of Southern outdoor recreation centered on the 490-acre Lake Tangipahoa since 1935

There’s something about a park built by the Civilian Conservation Corps that just feels different. The stonework is heavier. The shelter houses have the kind of hand-crafted permanence that you don’t find in modern construction. And when you stand at the edge of Lake Tangipahoa at dawn, watching mist rise off 490 acres of still water while a great blue heron stalks the shallows, you understand why the young men of the CCC chose this particular bend of creek to build a dam and create something lasting.

Percy Quin State Park sprawls across 1,700 acres of rolling, pine-covered hills outside McComb, Mississippi, offering a depth of recreation that rivals parks three times its size. An 18-hole championship golf course. Twenty-seven cabins and cottages tucked along the lakeshore. A marina with 36 slips. An Olympic-sized swimming pool. Eight miles of nature trails threading through loblolly pine and magnolia forest. A conference center and a chapel perched above the lake. It’s the kind of place that can absorb a family for a long weekend and still leave things undiscovered.

Named for a local state senator who championed conservation and outdoor recreation in southwest Mississippi, the park was established in 1935 as one of many CCC projects that transformed Mississippi’s wild landscape into accessible public spaces during the Great Depression. Nearly a century later, Percy Quin remains one of the most popular and best-equipped state parks in the entire Southeast.

History & CCC Legacy

Percy Quin’s story begins in the depths of the Great Depression. In 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps — Roosevelt’s massive public works program that employed millions of young men across the country — arrived in Pike County with a vision: dam a section of Tangipahoa Creek, create a lake, and build a recreational park that would serve the communities of southwest Mississippi for generations.

The CCC crews worked for several years, constructing the dam that created Lake Tangipahoa, building stone shelters, laying out roads, planting trees, and establishing the infrastructure that still forms the backbone of the park today. The quality of their work is evident in the craftsmanship of the original structures — native stone walls, heavy timber pavilions, and carefully graded paths that have weathered nearly nine decades of Mississippi heat and hurricanes.

The park was named in honor of Percy Quin, a local state senator and U.S. Congressman who was a passionate advocate for conservation and public recreation in the Mississippi legislature. His legacy lives on in a park that has grown from a modest CCC camp into one of the most comprehensive outdoor recreation destinations in the state, offering everything from championship golf to lakefront cabins to group retreats for over 200 people.

Lake Tangipahoa

Everything at Percy Quin revolves around Lake Tangipahoa, a 490-acre impoundment that serves as the park’s centerpiece and recreational engine. The lake was created by the CCC dam on Tangipahoa Creek and has matured over nine decades into a productive fishery and water sports destination that draws visitors from across the Gulf States region.

The lake is open for boating and water skiing, with a well-maintained boat launch and a marina offering 36 covered boat slips — a remarkably robust setup for a state park. Boat motors are permitted without horsepower restrictions (unusual for a state park lake), making Tangipahoa a genuine option for bass boats and ski boats alike. A fish cleaning station near the boat launch handles the practical aftermath of a successful day on the water.

Fishing Guide

Lake Tangipahoa has been producing quality fish for close to a century, and the fishery is well-managed by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. The lake’s extensive cover — submerged timber, lily pads, and vegetated banks — creates ideal habitat for warm-water game fish.

Two fishing piers provide accessible shoreline opportunities for anglers who don’t have a boat. A Mississippi freshwater fishing license is required for all anglers 16 and older and can be purchased online at mdwfp.com. Bank fishing is productive along the dam and near the picnic areas on the eastern shore.

Quail Hollow Golf Course

The Quail Hollow Golf Course is one of the best-kept secrets in Mississippi golf. This 18-hole championship course utilizes the park’s natural rolling terrain, weaving through loblolly pines and hardwood forest with several holes offering dramatic views of Lake Tangipahoa. The layout is challenging enough to test experienced golfers while remaining accessible for casual players — a rare combination that has earned Quail Hollow a loyal following.

Trails & Nature Hiking

Percy Quin features an 8-mile nature trail loop that circles Lake Tangipahoa through a landscape of loblolly pine, Southern magnolia, sweetgum, and live oak draped with Spanish moss. The trail is generally flat to gently rolling — this is southwest Mississippi, not the Appalachians — but the distance and occasional root-covered sections provide a legitimate workout.

Camping Guide

Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for spring and fall weekends. Book up to 12 months in advance through the MDWFP reservation system. The campground includes a laundry facility and camp store for essential supplies.

Cabins & Lodging

The 27 cabins are the most popular option and can book out months in advance for holiday weekends. All lodging units are smoke-free. Pets are NOT permitted in or on the grounds of any lodging facility — plan accordingly if you’re traveling with animals. Contact (601) 684-3938 for availability and pricing.

Facilities & Amenities

Best Time to Visit

The sweet spots are late March through April (spring crappie run, azaleas blooming, perfect golf weather) and October (bass fishing peaks, moderate temperatures, fall color in the hardwoods). Summer is busy and brutally humid — plan water activities for mornings and pool time for afternoon heat relief.

Budget Planner

Safety Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit Percy Quin State Park?

The day-use entrance fee is $2 per person. Children 5 and under enter free. This fee covers access to the trails, picnic areas, lake, and general park grounds. Camping, cabin rentals, golf, and marina services have separate fees. Contact the park office at (601) 684-3938 for current pricing on specific activities and accommodations.

Can you swim at Percy Quin State Park?

Yes — the park features an Olympic-sized swimming pool that is open seasonally, typically from Memorial Day through early October. Swimming in Lake Tangipahoa is not officially designated, but the pool provides an excellent alternative. The pool is especially popular with families during the hot summer months.

Are pets allowed at Percy Quin?

Pets are allowed in the general park grounds and campground areas but must be leashed at all times. However, pets are strictly NOT permitted in or on the grounds of any lodging facility, including cabins, cottages, the motel, and golf villas. Plan alternative arrangements if traveling with animals and booking lodging.

Can you rent a boat at Percy Quin?

The park has a marina with 36 covered boat slips and a public boat launch. You can bring your own boat and there are no horsepower restrictions on the lake. Check with the park office for current boat slip rental availability and rates. The marina area also includes a fish cleaning station for anglers.

Is there a golf course at Percy Quin State Park?

Yes — Quail Hollow is an 18-hole championship golf course designed through the park’s natural rolling terrain and pine forest. There is also a 9-hole short course, a driving range, and a full pro shop. Two golf villas adjacent to the course accommodate up to 12 guests each, making the park ideal for golf group getaways. Call ahead for tee time reservations.

How far in advance should I book a cabin?

Reservations open 12 months in advance and cabins can book out quickly for popular weekends (spring break, holidays, fall). For summer and holiday weekends, book as early as possible — 3 to 6 months ahead is recommended. Midweek stays are generally easier to secure on shorter notice. Book through the MDWFP online reservation system or by calling the park.

What fish can you catch in Lake Tangipahoa?

Lake Tangipahoa supports excellent populations of largemouth bass, crappie (both white and black), bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish. Spring (February through April) is prime crappie season, while bass fishing peaks in spring and again in fall. A Mississippi freshwater fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older.

Explore More Mississippi State Parks

Percy Quin State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Mississippi. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Mississippi guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.