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Outdoor Recreation

Go Outdoors Oxford Map

Holly Springs National Forest

Covering 156,000 acres (243 square miles) and extending from near Oxford to the vicinity of Holly Springs and eastward, Holly Springs National Forest provides both upland and wetland habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. It encompasses four recreation areas offering a range of recreational opportunities:

  • Chewalla Lake – camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, and picnicking
  • Puskus Lake – camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing
  • Tallatoba Lake – picnicking, fishing
  • North Cypress Nonmotorized Trail – hiking, biking, picnicking, and horse trail

John Kyle State Park

Located at 32,000-acre Sardis Lake about 25 miles northwest of Oxford, John Kyle State Park offers nature trails and a range of outdoor activities that include

Facilities include:

  • swimming pool
  • campground with 200 developed sites and laundry facilities
  • cabins
  • group camp
  • visitor’s center (lodge)
  • boat ramps
  • picnic area with tables and grills

A day-use fee applies

Cossar State Park

Located near the western end of Enid lake about 35 miles from Oxford, Cossar State Park offers multiple forms of recreation:

  • hunting
  • boating
  • water skiing
  • fishing for bass, bream, catfish and crappie
  • camping on 76 developed waterfront and wooded sites
  • swimming
  • miniature and disc golfing

Facilities include:

  • cabin rentals
  • group camp
  • restaurant
  • swimming pool
  • lakeside visitor center with concessions and meeting/banquet room
  • 18-hole miniature golf course
  • 18-hole disc golf course
  • 2.5 mile nature trail
  • playground
  • boat ramps

Area Lakes

Three major lakes are located within 50 miles of Oxford.

  • Sardis Lake has a normal recreation pool of 32,500 acres and features a number of public use areas, waterfowl refuges, and wildlife management areas as well as John Kyle State Park along its shores. The nearest public use area is about 12 miles from Oxford.
  • Enid Lake is located about 30 miles west of Oxford near the town of Water Valley and is known for its largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and bream. Thirteen recreation areas are located along its shore, with Cossar State Park situated near the western end.
  • Grenada Lake, with 35,000 acres of water available for recreation, is about 50 miles southwest of Oxford. It is the site of Hugh White State Park and the nationally known Dogwoods Golf Course.

Swimming

  • The City of Oxford operates a 50-meter outdoor pool at 220 Washington Avenue that include change rooms, showers and restrooms. Individual, family, and day passes are available.
  • The Olympic-size pool in the university’s Turner Center, operated by the Department of Campus Recreation, is available for indoor swimming.