Wallace Creek Campground
Pope, Mississippi · on Enid Lake
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $50/day
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Wallace Creek Campground
Wallace Creek is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground and day-use area on the shore of Enid Lake, a roughly 16,000-acre reservoir formed by a dam on the Yocona River in the hill country of northern Mississippi. As a swimming hole it is official rather than hidden: Recreation.gov lists a designated swimming site here alongside camping, boating, and fishing, and a paid Day Use Pass grants boat-ramp and swimming-area access, making Enid a straightforward lake to swim in.
The site sits on the banks of Enid Lake within roughly 44,000 acres of surrounding forest managed by the Corps of Engineers, in the hills of northern Mississippi near the towns of Water Valley and Batesville; Memphis, Tennessee is about an hour to 60 miles north.
Swimming at Wallace Creek Campground
Swimming takes place in the open reservoir water of Enid Lake at a designated swim area adjacent to the Wallace Creek campground/day-use area, reachable by a short walk from the parking and picnic shelter near the boat ramp; official sources confirm the designation and access via a paid Day Use Pass but do not describe beach substrate, buoy lines, or depth.
How to get to this swimming hole
From I-55, take exit 233 and head east on County Road 36; after about 2.5 miles, follow the posted signs into Wallace Creek Campground.
Parking: Day Use Pass covers one non-commercial vehicle; per Recreation.gov, the pass is a use fee, not a guaranteed parking spot ('parking space is not guaranteed').
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike is needed; the designated swim site is a short walk from day-use parking near the picnic shelter/boat ramp at the Wallace Creek Campground area (per initial verification). An interpretive trail exists on-site but is separate from swim access.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Recreation.gov describes Wallace Creek as a 'quiet, family-oriented campground,' and the swim site sits in the same developed day-use area as the boat ramp, so families are clearly welcomed. However, no source describes beach substrate, marked shallow zone, or lifeguard presence, and swimming happens in open reservoir water on a lake also used for motorboat fishing/boat-ramp traffic, so caution around depth drop-off and boat activity is warranted.
Parking
Paid
Access to the swim area/boat ramp requires a Recreation.gov Day Use Pass (daily or annual) covering one non-commercial vehicle; Recreation.gov notes 'parking space is not guaranteed' even with a valid pass, implying a defined but capacity-limited lot rather than unlimited roadside parking. Exact daily pass price was not found in sources checked this session.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets and showers are confirmed on-site at the Wallace Creek Campground/day-use facility (Recreation.gov); exact restroom location relative to the swim beach itself (vs. near the campsites/shelter) is not documented online.
On the water
A boat ramp is a confirmed on-site facility at Wallace Creek (Recreation.gov), and Enid Lake is actively used for boating and fishing tournaments (per prior dossier), supporting that motorized and paddle craft are permitted lake-wide; kayaks/canoes could also launch from shore near the ramp. No specific no-wake zone, horsepower limit, or electric-only restriction was found and confirmed for this session, so restrictions is left null rather than guessed.
Backstory
Enid Lake was created by a Corps of Engineers dam project on the Yocona River; the lake has been recognized as one of America's Top 10 Fishing Spots and once held the world-record white crappie catch (5 lb 3 oz).
Wallace Creek Campground: FAQ
Does Wallace Creek Campground charge a fee?
Daily and Annual Day Use Passes are sold for boat-ramp and swimming-area access (purchasable online or on-site at the Enid Lake Field Office); campsites are separately reservable through Recreation.gov and require a reservation before camping; the group picnic shelter costs $50/day.
Is Wallace Creek Campground kid friendly?
Recreation.gov describes Wallace Creek as a 'quiet, family-oriented campground,' and the swim site sits in the same developed day-use area as the boat ramp, so families are clearly welcomed. However, no source describes beach substrate, marked shallow zone, or lifeguard presence, and swimming happens in open reservoir water on a lake also used for motorboat fishing/boat-ramp traffic, so caution around depth drop-off and boat activity is warranted.
Do I need to hike to reach Wallace Creek Campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Wallace Creek Campground?
Access to the swim area/boat ramp requires a Recreation.gov Day Use Pass (daily or annual) covering one non-commercial vehicle; Recreation.gov notes 'parking space is not guaranteed' even with a valid pass, implying a defined but capacity-limited lot rather than unlimited roadside parking. Exact daily pass price was not found in sources checked this session.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Wallace Creek Campground?
A boat ramp is a confirmed on-site facility at Wallace Creek (Recreation.gov), and Enid Lake is actively used for boating and fishing tournaments (per prior dossier), supporting that motorized and paddle craft are permitted lake-wide; kayaks/canoes could also launch from shore near the ramp. No specific no-wake zone, horsepower limit, or electric-only restriction was found and confirmed for this session, so restrictions is left null rather than guessed.
What are the rules at Wallace Creek Campground?
No livestock permitted; no ATVs; no pets in buildings; firewood must be purchased locally and burned on-site (don't-move-firewood rule); camping requires an advance reservation with a 14-night rolling stay limit; America the Beautiful Senior/Access cardholders must be present when their card is used for discounts.
What water body is Wallace Creek Campground on?
Wallace Creek Campground is on Enid Lake, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
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