Haynes Lake Loop

Haynes Lake Loop circles the park's cypress-tupelo lake, providing an easy and visually rewarding ramble through one of the most scenic lake environments in the Mississippi state park system. Haynes Lake is a natural oxbow lake lined with bald cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, their characteristic flared buttresses rising from the dark, tannin-stained water. Great blue herons, great egrets, and various duck species use the lake year-round, and wood ducks nest in cavities in the large cypress trees. Prothonotary warblers, brilliant golden songbirds, nest in cavities over the water in spring and early summer. The surrounding forest transitions from the cypress-tupelo swamp at lake level to upland mixed hardwood forest on the slopes above, creating a diversity of habitats within the short loop distance. Bald cypress knees protrude from the shallow lake margins and the surrounding wet forest floor, their function still debated among scientists. The lake is excellent for fishing, and several accessible fishing platforms are incorporated into the trail route. The $4 vehicle fee applies. This trail pairs naturally with the Bear Creek Trail for a comprehensive Tishomingo State Park experience. The gentle terrain and beautiful lake views make this one of Mississippi's most photogenic easy hikes.