New Wood Wildlife Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
New Wood Wildlife Area is a 4,000-acre wildlife management area in the state of Mississippi that offers visitors an opportunity to experience the state's unique flora and fauna.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
One of the primary reasons to visit the area is to observe the various species of birds that call the region home. Visitors can also explore the area's diverse vegetation, which includes hardwood forests, pine plantation, and bottomland hardwoods.
One of the most interesting points of interest in the New Wood Wildlife Area is the 2.5-mile nature trail that winds through the forest, providing visitors with an up-close view of the area's natural beauty. The trail is also an excellent location for birdwatching, particularly during the spring and fall migration seasons.
Another interesting feature of the area is the Old Tatum Place, a historic home that dates back to the 1800s. The home has been restored and is now open to visitors who want to learn more about the area's history and culture.
In addition to birdwatching and hiking, visitors to the New Wood Wildlife Area can also hunt, fish, and trap during designated seasons. The area is home to a variety of game species, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and waterfowl.
The best time of year to visit the New Wood Wildlife Area depends on the activities you plan to enjoy. Spring and fall are the best times for birdwatching and hiking, while the fall and winter months are ideal for hunting and trapping. Regardless of when you visit, you're sure to be impressed by the area's natural beauty and diverse wildlife.
Weather Forecast
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
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Camp New Wood County Park Campground
|
||
Camp New Wood County Park
|
||
Council Grounds State Park
|
Camp New Wood County Park
Wildlife Area Bill Cross
Tug Lake County Park
Council Grounds State Park