Founded in 1821, the city of Columbus is on the eastern border of Mississippi and along the banks of the 200-mile-long Tombigbee River. Charmingly referred to by locals as "Possum Town," the city went by this informal title until its official founding. The name came from its association with a local trader who is said to have resembled an opossum. The location is also historically significant for having been described by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1540 during his search for El Dorado, the mythical city of gold.
Part of the development of Columbus goes back to Andrew Jackson ordering the building of a road that could connect Nashville to New Orleans. The road construction project and the subsequent increase in traffic through the area were important to the town's early development. The area has grown considerably since these early days, has a current population of over 23,000, and is known as the "Friendly City."
The city holds particular significance for those interested in the arts. Columbus is the location of the first home of the playwright Thomas Lanier Williams III, famously known by his pen name, Tennessee Williams. Williams was the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning plays A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The film versions of these plays would be of paramount importance to the establishment of the Hollywood movie careers of such icons as Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, and Paul Newman. The National Literary Landmark is an 1875 Victorian home located in the heart of downtown Columbus and serves as a museum and welcome center to the area.
Visitors to Columbus will also find interest in its connection to the history of jazz and the blues. These connections can be traced along the self-guided Mississippi Blues Trail. The city is also well known as being an excellent destination for Southern cuisine. Locals recommend trying the soul food at Rosie's Place or the barbeque at 1028 W Mojam's BBQ. Recreational activities include hunting, fishing, and birdwatching during the migration of waterfowl.
Campgrounds Near Columbus, Mississippi
Off of the Luxapalila River, you will find Hidden Cove RV Park and Campground. This location has been around since the 1960s and offers a clean camping environment for families and friends. Amenities include full hookups, plenty of parking, shade in the warmer months, waterfront lots, and fishing along the river and lake. Monthly rates are available for longer stays.
Located conveniently within walking distance of downtown Columbus is Island Road RV Park. The location of this park is also ideal for exploring the local farmers' market, Columbus's Riverwalk, or taking in an event at the nearby amphitheater. Visitors have flexibility on the length of their stay as daily, weekly, and monthly rates are available. There is a dump station provided for guests, as well as water and electrical hookups. Internet accessibility is also a feature here.
Tombigbee River RV Park is a mere 10-minute drive from downtown Columbus and boasts walking distance access to beautiful lakeside scenery. The park is also a short stroll from fishing, boating, grilling, and picnicking at the Stennis Lock & Dam. There are 50 RV sites with hookups, a laundry area, and a washroom at this campground. The park's focus is quiet living, so it is a great place to relax.
State Parks Near Columbus, Mississippi
Legion State Park can be reached by RV in about an hour if driving from Columbus. The park features a log structure known as the Legion Lodge that has been left undeveloped since the 1930s. For camping, there are 15 dedicated RV spaces with hookups, as well as restrooms and hot showers. There are also a handful of vacation cabins available. There are two lakes that you can check out in the park, and both are ideal spots for bass or bream. Other activities available include hiking and water recreation like boating and swimming.
Tombigbee State Park is only about an hour and ten minutes from Columbus and is just five miles east of Tupelo. The park comprises 480 acres and is home to the 90-acre Lake Lee. You can also access the Tombigbee River in the park. Here, you can water ski, fish, and go boating. There are also two disc golf courses, basketball and volleyball courts, and plenty of options for hiking enthusiasts.
About an hour and a half drive from Columbus is Trace State Park. This park is listed in historical records as once hosting Davy Crockett and features numerous nature trails for exploring. You can also try out your irons and woods at the Pontotoc Country Club golf course. The 76 RV sites in the park have electricity. In addition to RV sites, there are three cabins and 16 tent sites. RVers may see blue herons, ducks, black bears, and sheep while visiting the park.
National Sites Near Columbus, Mississippi
If you are visiting Columbus, it is worth taking the time to make the drive to Birmingham for the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. This important and historical national site can be reached by vehicle from Columbus in under two hours. The monument encompasses four city blocks and features sculptures, plaques, and historical sites that all help paint a picture of Birmingham as being a central location in the struggle for civil rights.
You can also visit the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, which begins in Selma, Alabama. Selma is 138 miles from Columbus and serves as the beginning of this trail, which details the events that led to African Americans receiving their voting rights. The trail was established in 1996 to honor the voting rights marches of Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders during the historic campaign for justice in 1965.
The Freedom Riders National Monument is located in Anniston, Alabama, just under a three-hour drive from Columbus. This national site serves to bring light to the 13 heroic Freedom Riders who challenged bus segregation policies in 1961. The plight of these citizens and the injustices they faced helped to begin the turn of the tide in the Civil Rights Movement, and their struggle and ultimate triumph is commemorated by the national site.
National Forests Near Columbus, Mississippi
The Tombigbee National Forest is about an hour's drive from Columbus, Mississippi. The forest covers 67,000 acres throughout northeastern Mississippi. It is a protected area that has over 30 miles of hiking trails as well as many options for fishing and boating enthusiasts. The forest can be accessed 24 hours a day, which makes it a great option for stargazing enthusiasts.
Located under two hours from Columbus, the William B. Bankhead National Forest is home to the Sipsey Fork, which is the sole wild and scenic river in Alabama. The forest also contains numerous waterfalls, many streams, and plenty of wildlife. The waterfalls in this forest are so plentiful that the site is often called the "land of a thousand waterfalls." There are fantastic camping options within the forest, such as the Corinth Recreation Area Campground, which offers 52 RV sites and accessible facilities. Fishing, hunting, canoeing, kayaking, and boating options are all available for those looking for some outdoor enjoyment.
Holly Springs National Forest is also under two hours from Columbus, Mississippi. The forest was established back in 1936. The land had been abandoned after clearcutting had made it difficult to survive as a farmer in the area. The land was reforested and now gives pleasure to many visitors every year. Plenty of fishing and hunting opportunities exist in the forest and on its gorgeous lakes. Hiking is also popular in this forest and can be a great way to get some physical activity after a long RV drive.
