Grassy Lake Wildlife Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Grassy Lake Wildlife Area is a 14,000-acre wildlife refuge located in the state of Mississippi.
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Summary
The area is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including waterfowl, deer, alligators, and more. Here are some good reasons to visit this beautiful area:
1. Wildlife Viewing: Grassy Lake is an excellent place to see wildlife up close. Visitors can expect to see a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles throughout the year.
2. Fishing: The area offers visitors the opportunity to fish in several lakes and ponds. Anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish, including bass, catfish, and crappie.
3. Hiking: Grassy Lake has several hiking trails that wind through the forest and along the banks of the lakes. The trails are easily accessible and offer visitors a chance to explore the beauty of the area on foot.
4. History: The area has a rich history, with evidence of Native American settlements and early European exploration. Visitors can learn about the area's history at the Grassy Lake Visitor Center.
5. Photography: The area's natural beauty makes it a great place to take photographs. Visitors can capture stunning images of wildlife, landscapes, and sunrises/sunsets.
Interesting facts about the area include that it is home to the rare Louisiana Pine Snake, a type of gopher snake that is only found in a few areas of Louisiana and Mississippi. It is also home to the largest population of American alligators in Mississippi.
The best time to visit Grassy Lake Wildlife Area is during the fall and winter months when the weather is cooler and the wildlife is more active. However, visitors can enjoy the area year-round, with spring and summer being a particularly good time for birdwatching.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Jennings Creek Wildlife Area
Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area
Brayton Park
Peter Helland Wildlife Area
Wyona County Park