Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — Delta National Forest
Delta National Forest in Mississippi offers Forest Service recreation at Blue Lake Recreation Area, Little Sunflower River. Each recreation site has its own facilities and access rules; use the official maps and current site instructions to plan your visit.
Camping & reservations
The booking button opens the published reservation system for Delta National Forest. Other campgrounds in this forest may use different reservations, first-come sites or permits. Check each named site.
Blue Lake Recreation Area ↗
This is a free day use site that includes areas for picnicking, including grills and picnic tables, fishing, a boat launch for small boats, three campsites, and a 2-mile educational nature trail. A chemical toilet is also located at this site. Campsites are available at Blue Lake Recreation Area by reservation only.
Reservations: Reservations for all sites may be made at least 48 hours in advance online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Reservations also be made by visiting the Delta Ranger District Office at 68 Frontage Road, Rolling Fork, MS, 39159.
Little Sunflower River ↗
Located 5 miles east of Onward, MS, this free day use site offers public boat access to the Little Sunflower River and the Rock Bottom Trail (734A). Additional facilities include a boat ramp, interpretive display, sheltered picnic tables with grills, two campsites, and a parking area for vehicles and trailers. A self-service fee station for trail use permits is also located at this site. Campsites are available by reservation only.
Reservations: Reservations for all sites may be made at least 48 hours in advance online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Reservations also be made by visiting the Delta Ranger District Office at 68 Frontage Road, Rolling Fork, MS, 39159.
Delta National Forest Campsites ↗
There are 57 primitive campsites dispersed throughout the Delta National Forest. Camping is only permitted at designated campsites. Campsite amenities include a graveled pad, fire ring, lantern post and picnic table. Potable water is available at Delta Work Center on Forest Service Road 703. Campsites rent for $7 per night by reservation only. Individuals holding an Access or Senior pass will receive a 50% discount ($3.50 per night). Reservations for all sites may be made at least 48 hours in advance online at www.recreation.gov. Reservations also be made by visiting the Delta Ranger District Office at 68 Frontage Road, Rolling Fork, MS, 39159.
Reservations: Reservations for all sites may be made at least 48 hours in advance online at www.recreation.gov.
Truck-camping & permitted overnight use
Located 5 miles east of Onward, MS, this free day use site offers public boat access to the Little Sunflower River and the Rock Bottom Trail (734A). Additional facilities include a boat ramp, interpretive display, sheltered picnic tables with grills, two campsites, and a parking area for vehicles and trailers. A self-service fee station for trail use permits is also located at this site. Campsites are available by reservation only.
The official recreation inventory lists Delta National Forest Campsites for dispersed camping. Read each site’s current rules; this does not authorize camping on every forest road.
Delta National Forest Campsites ↗ — There are 57 primitive campsites dispersed throughout the Delta National Forest. Camping is only permitted at designated campsites. Campsite amenities include a graveled pad, fire ring, lantern post and picnic table. Potable water is available at Delta Work Center on Forest Service Road 703. Campsites rent for $7 per night by reservation only. Individuals holding an Access or Senior pass will receive a 50% discount ($3.50 per night). Reservations for all sites may be made at least 48 hours in advance online at www.recreation.gov. Reservations also be made by visiting the Delta Ranger District Office at 68 Frontage Road, Rolling Fork, MS,…
Activities, hiking & trails
Official forest trail and visitor maps. Official activities and trail-planning information ↗
Maps & road access
- Official visitor maps, trail maps and Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) ↗
- Forest Service’s Interactive Visitor Map ↗
- motor vehicle use maps ↗
Consult the current Motor Vehicle Use Map for permitted motor routes, vehicle classes and seasonal designations. A route on an MVUM is not a guarantee that it is maintained or passable. Check current road closures and conditions with the district; carry an offline map.
Use the official directions for the exact named campground or trailhead; forest boundaries and administrative offices are not campsite entrances. Official directions / site access ↗
Before you travel
Check the forest’s current alerts, seasonal services, fire orders and campground rules. Download the relevant official maps before entering areas with limited reception.
Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. USDA Forest Service official information ↗
Photograph sources & licensing
Banner: Ten-mile Bayou, Delta National Forest
Ten-mile Bayou with riparian trees and wood in the channel. Cover photograph, USDA Forest Service General Technical Report SRS-130 (2010).
Credit: USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station (photographer not stated). Original source ↗ · Public domain — U.S. federal government work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Second large photograph: Forest Service staff at Delta National Forest Work Center
20230608-FS-MTR-003 A group of Forest Service employees from across the state of Mississippi plan out the day’s work at the Delta National Forest Work Center. In June, more than 80 Forest Service employees came to the Delta National Forest, the only…
Credit: USDA Forest Service / Mario Rossilli. Original source ↗ · Public domain ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.