Smith County: Lakes, Rivers and Historic Places

Smith County combines expansive forest landscapes with lakes, rivers and places where the region’s history can be seen firsthand. The stay is made particularly varied by the different possibilities: You can choose short paths along the water, explore the area in small boats, visit historic places or experience the landscape on longer hiking routes. When looking for a vacation rental or vacation home, it is therefore worth deciding first what you would like to focus on.

Lakes and forests as defining features of the landscape

In the northeastern part of Smith County lies the 50-acre Marathon Lake. The Marathon Recreation Area has 34 campsites with water and electrical hookups, 14 picnic tables, two picnic shelters and a swimming area. This recreation area also includes the approximately 1.5-mile Lake Loop Trail as a separate walking and hiking option. When planning your day, you can consider Marathon Lake, the facilities at the recreation area and the Lake Loop Trail as separate points of reference.

Almost 73,000 acres of Bienville National Forest lie in Smith County. The approximately 28,120-acre Tallahala Wildlife Management Area also extends into the county; it also covers Scott, Newton and Jasper County and is located near Montrose. The headquarters can be reached from I-20 via Exit 100, Highway 80 East, Highway 505 south and Roberts County Line Road. This allows you to deliberately include the natural area in your travel plans without equating it with a single place.

Short routes, longer hikes and water experiences

Shongelo Park offers four campsites, seven picnic areas, a picnic shelter and a swimming area. The loop trail there is about half a mile long and leads to a viewing platform overlooking the lake. This loop is suitable as a standalone activity for a shorter route. The Oakohay Hiking Trail, by contrast, has a different character: It leads through a stand of trees that shows uneven-aged management of loblolly pines.

Fishing with small boats is possible at Beaver Lake, a 67-acre artificial lake dating from the era when ironwood was transported by rail. The 81-acre Prentiss Walker Lake is located four miles southwest of Mize on Highway 35 in Smith County and is known for particularly large bluegill and redear sunfish. In the river area, you can experience the Leaf River by canoe, kayak or small boat. The Bob Blakeney Bridge on River Road north of Taylorsville is another state-designated access point to the Leaf River.

The Strong River also characterizes the northwestern part of the county and flows near Polkville. It is considered shallow and calm. Swimming is possible in summer at Tallahala Creek, where there is also a small waterfall. In Mize, Okohay Creek and Clear Creek flow through the town and its City Park. These differences can help you choose the focus of your vacation: Water activities, short walks and quieter impressions of the landscape are thematically closer than a stay focused exclusively on culture.

Historic Places in Raleigh and Taylorsville

In addition to its natural attractions, Smith County has specific historical points of interest. The Smith County Courthouse in Raleigh was built in 1912 and designated a Mississippi Landmark on June 3, 1996. It is considered the most significant landmark building in Raleigh. Those interested in architectural history and the development of smaller towns can include this historic point of reference in their travel plans.

The Watkins Museum is located at 326 Eureka Street in Taylorsville. It is housed in a former general store and newspaper office associated with the Taylorsville Signal and is considered the only surviving commercial building from Taylorsville’s early growth period. In addition, Shongelo commemorates a village founded in 1865 that was named after Shongelo Creek. This creates a varied picture of the county between landscape and local history.

The right base for your trip

If you are primarily planning to visit lakes, rivers and trails, your vacation rental or vacation home should suit a stay centered on nature experiences and changing daily destinations. For travelers interested in culture, Raleigh and Taylorsville may carry more weight, while Mize, with its waterways and City Park, has its own landscape character. Accommodation in Smith County thus provides the setting for arranging your personal travel rhythm from a range of different experiences.

For additional destinations, you can also compare Washington County, Scott County, Jackson County, Tunica, Coahoma County, Warren and Issaquena County.

For the overarching travel overview: Mississippi.