The Pat Harrison Waterway District (PHWD) is a Mississippi State Agency that provides camping, cabins and recreational facilities in Mississippi and is responsible for managing the rivers and their tributaries along the Pascagoula River Basin in Southeastern and East Central Mississippi. In order to effectively accomplish this mission, PHWD focuses on three specific areas; flood control, water management, and recreation. PHWD operates a total of 9 water parks with recreational facilities including cabins, R.V. Camping sites, water slides, boat launches, shelters and lodge halls, nature trails, etc. These water parks are located adjacent to reservoirs and rivers.
Parks included in the Pat Harrison Waterway District:
Archusa Creek - 601-776-6956
Big Creek - 601-763-8555
Dry Creek - 601-797-4619
Dunn's Falls - 601-655-8550
Flint Creek - 601-928-3051
Kemper Lake - 601-743-5505
Maynor Creek - 601-735-4365
Okatibbee - 601-737-2370
Turkey Creek - 601-635-3314
Cabin Reservations: 1-800-748-9403
District Office: 1-800-748-9618
RV and Primitive Camping Reservations: Call Individual Parks for Reservations
-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOB LISTING-
Mississippi's largest Waterway District is searching for an Executive Director. This is professional work as the administrative head of the Pat Harrison Waterway District. Work is performed within the framework of State/and or Federal alws, rules, and regulations, maintaining liaison between various branches of State and Federal government. Min. requirements are a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university and ten years of work related experience, an Associates Degree and 12 years of work related experience, or 20 years work related experience in water quality management or related field, policy formulation, and implementation.
Work descriptions and the application process can be obtained by calling (601)318-1205 or by emailing: lclark@phwd.net. Applications can also be made through the MS State Personnel Board website located at: mspb.ms.gov. Deadline for applications is January 10, 2025. Applications received after January 10, 2025 will not be accepted. The Pat Harrison Waterway District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Completed applications may be mailed to:
Chairman, Search Committee
Pat Harrison Waterway District
17 J M Tatum Industrial Drive, Suite 120
Hattiesburg, MS 39402.
Rates
All Prices Include Tax
Entrance Fee/Day Use
Adult $5.00
Children 2-12 yrs $3.00
Children Under 2 Free
Horse Trail Fee $10.00 (Horse &Rider)
Annual Entrance $75.00
Bus Rate $100.00
Special Events $15.00 per car
Boating
Kayak $10.00
Boat Launch/Fishing $12.00 (Boat & 1 Person), $5.00 for each additional person
Boat & Kayak Rental $25.00
Paddle Boat Rental $20.00 per 4 hours
Annual Boat Launch $125.00
Annual Boat Launch + Family $175.00
55+ or 100% Disabled Annual Pass $100.00
Golden Age Lifetime Pass (65+ or 100% Disabled) $200.00
Golf Cart Pass $50.00
For Cabin/Campsite rates, see Individual Park pages
Park Rules & Regulations
Check-in time for Cabin Reservations is 4:00 p.m. and Check-out time is 11:00 a.m. effective October 1, 2013.
Check-in time for Campsite Reservations is 4:00 p.m. and Check-out time is 4:00 p.m.
Any person renting a Cabin or Campsite must be 21 years or older and possess a valid driver's license with the exception of Military Personnel. The Board of Directors passed a resolution at their Board meeting on November 20, 2014 that, "All Military Personnel, age eighteen (18) or older may be allowed to rent a CAMPSITE at any Pat Harrison Waterway District park upon showing current military credentials and a valid driver's license. Exception may be granted by the Executive Director or designee i.e., Parks Director or Park Manager."
No person under 12 years of age is allowed in any of the parks unless accompanied by an adult.
Camping is allowed in designated areas only. Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily and no visitors will be permitted in the parks during the quiet hours of 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Vandalism of any building, structure, plant or property of the District is prohibited.
No person shall litter, pollute or dispose of any waste in or on any property or lake of the District.
Campfires are allowed in designated areas only.
Swimming shall be allowed at designated times only in designated, buoyed areas of the lakes. Swimming is prohibited in all other areas. Any unauthorized use could result in criminal charges and failure to obey any and all rules and regulations may result in loss of swimming privileges and no refund. Continued abuse of rules and regulations may result in permanent loss of swimming privileges or expulsion from the park at the Park Manager's discretion.
All fishing shall comply with Mississippi State fishing laws and regulations.
All baitfish used on the District lakes are subject to a maximum size of 5". Snagging of bass is prohibited.
The use of platform boats is permitted on a year round basis effective March 1, 2012.
All boats shall be registered in accordance with Mississippi State law and operators shall adhere to all State boating laws. Park Managers have the authority to regulate, remove, and control any or all boats on District property. Boat operators are responsible for damages sustained due to negligence.
Skiing is allowed only at Archusa, Flint, Maynor, Okatibbee and Turkey Creek Water Parks in designated areas. Check with Park personnel for designated skiing times, designated areas for skiing and to make sure all equipment is in accordance with Mississippi State law.
Tubing - There shall be no more than one (1) tube or floatation device pulled behind any boat at any time. While in tow, a tube or floatation device designated for multiple people shall not exceed three (3) persons, or as deemed a condition of reckless endangerment from a standpoint of enforcement by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks' Conservation Officers.
Jet Skis' and Wave runners/Water bikes are allowed only at Flint Creek, Big Creek, Archusa, Maynor Creek, and Okatibbee Water Parks within designated areas. Check with Park personnel for designated skiing times and rules and regulations.
Pets are not allowed in the swimming areas, beaches, cabins, cabin areas, motel, motel area or offices at any of the District Parks. Pets are allowed at campsite areas only and shall be on a leash at all times. Employees shall not own or keep any vicious dogs if they reside on the park. If they live off the park, they shall bring no vicious dogs on the park.
Hunting and/or molesting animals within the District boundaries is prohibited.
All vehicles must be properly licensed under State law and obey State traffic laws and posted speed limits within the confines of District property.
ATV's ARE NOT ALLOWED, However, Golf Carts and side by sides are allowed in all District parks provided the guest pays an annual fee of $50.00, requiring all drivers of the golf carts have a valid drivers' license and proof of 10/20/10 liability insurance and in the future, the insurance coverage shall be the same as the state requires for automobiles. The golf carts are to be properly equipped with front and rear lights and must display a PHWD authorized decal.
Un-authorized entrance onto District property constitutes a misdemeanor and shall be punishable as provided by Mississippi State law.
Aviation activity is prohibited except under permit.
Persuant to the terms of Miss. Code Ann. §45-9-101, as amended by Senate Bill 2862, 2010 Regular Session, any person possessing a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun as issued by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety - or any state which Mississippi recognizes as having reciprocal requirements for issuing such licenses - may carry a handgun upon his or her person while in or on any Pat Harrison Waterway District Park. Open carry of a firearm is prohibited on all District Parks except for sworn and certified law enforcement officers in pursuit of their lawful duties.
Pursuant to the terms of Miss. Code Ann. §97-37-1, a firearm is not considered to be unlawfully "concealed" if it is within any motor vehicle. Any person, not in possession of a valid concealed carry permit, going onto a District Park with a firearm in his or her vehicle, camper or conveyance, must keep the firearm in a secured condition, not readily accessible and preferably locked in a secure case, for the duration of their stay at the Park(s).Explosives or fireworks are prohibited by park guests; however, professional fireworks are held on the 4th of July holiday at Flint Creek and Archusa Creek Water Parks.
Possession or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
Disorderly conduct is prohibited, including by not limited to: Abusive language, intoxication, disturbance, or breach of peace of others.
Violation of any applicable State, Federal, and Local law or ordinance and violation of posted instructions or warning signs is prohibited.
Any violation of these rules and regulations shall constitute a misdeameanor and shall be punishable as provided by Mississippi State law.
All employees of the District are charged with enforcement of these regulations and shall cooperate and assist all other lawful authorities in the enforcement of laws within the District.
Any and all requests for exhibits or displays at the Parks, whether political, social, economic or religious, shall be submitted and reviewed by the Park Liaison and a permit will be issued if approved by the Policy Committee.
The Executive Director may issue permits for exceptions from the foregoing rules and regulations as provided for therein. Requests for such permits shall be submitted to the Park Managers of the parks affected and referred to the Executive Director through the Park Liaison.
Areas designated and marked off by District by District personnel for limited or restricted use from February 1st through March 31st of each year shall not be utilized by the public.
The Pat Harrison Waterway District Board of Directors may amend these Rules and Regulations at any time as such changes or revision(s) are required, as allowed by law.
Pat Harrison Waterway District is not liable for any personal property brought onto the parks or into the cabins.
Reservation, Refund, & Payment Policies
All cabin, motel, & shelter reservations must be made by people 21 years or older and must be present during cabin, motel, & shelter occupation.
ABSOLUTELY NO PETS ALLOWED!
Reservations of 2, 3, or 4 nights can be booked up to 3 months in advance, full payment due within 14 days.
Reservations of 5 or more nights can be booked up to one year from the date with a 3 night deposit fee within 14 days, remaining balance due 30 days prior to arrival.
Accepted Payment Methods: Personal Check, Money Order, Visa, MasterCard & Discover.
Any reservation booked within 30 days of arrival must be paid in full with Cash, Money Order or Credit Card Only! No Checks will be accepted.
If a 5 night reservation is booked within 6 months, you have 14 days to pay; If a 5 night reservation is booked outside of 6 months, you pay a 3 night deposit within 14 days and remaining balance 30 days prior to check in.
2 Night Minimum required for making a reservation --- 3 Night Minimum required for all Major Holidays.
Picnic Shelters, Lodge Halls, and Pavilions can be reserved for one (1) day, up to one (1) year in advance, with Full Payment due within 14 days of booking reservation.
Reinstatement Fee - $10.00 per reservation. If reservation involves multiple cabins, the $10.00 reinstatement fee will apply to each cabin reserved. Reinstatement fees apply to reservations cancelled for nonpayment.
There will be a $25 fee for moving or changing dates of cabin reservations.
The maximum occupancy for A Frame and Millennium cabins is 10 people, inside or outside the cabin.
The maximum occupancy for Bungalows is 4 people.
REFUND POLICY
If Reservations are cancelled 48 hours or less, prior to check in:
Loss of 1st Night and Rain Check for remaining balance.If Reservations are cancelled 48 hours or more, prior to check in:
One night rain check and remaining night's cash refundThe Pat Harrison Waterway District shall not be responsible for refunds or rain check requests due to Acts of God and for other circumstances outside the control and/or jurisdiction of the District.
Refund or rain check request will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
No refunds or rain checks will be issued where there is a reduction of nights in violation of the reservation policy.
No refunds or rain checks will be issued due to the eviction of occupants for violation of park rules and regulations.
Rain checks are non-refundable and expire one (1) year to date following date of issuance.
Request forms for refunds or rain checks due to early departure should be acquired and will be processed at park office.
All refund or rain checks issued shall follow each customer's written request.
Splash of Fun Water Park, located inside Flint Creek, is under PRIVATE MANAGEMENT; therefore, Pat Harrison Waterway District has NO CONTROL over their times of operation. REFUNDS FOR CABIN RESERVATIONS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED WHEN CANCELLING DUE TO "SPLASH OF FUN" BEING CLOSED DURING YOUR STAY.
For further information regarding reservation policies, call (800) 748-9403.