Discover Clay: Nature, Culture, and West Point

A nature trail circles Kennedy Lake and crosses the water at several points on wooden footbridges. The historical and cultural themes of West Point add to the mix. When planning a trip to Clay, you can take different interests into account rather than focusing on just one thing.

Nature Trails and Outdoor Activities

Kennedy Lake lies along Town Creek. Its shoreline is densely wooded and steep, and the water is calm. The loop trail and footbridges make the lake and shore a connected nature experience. If you are interested in scenery and trails, this offers a different kind of experience from a route linking several parks.

Town Creek Campground offers 100 campsites with electric and water hookups, as well as hot showers. Activities listed there include hiking, cycling, and birdwatching. This brings several ways to spend time outdoors together in one place. Since campsite and facility information reflects current conditions, check availability before your trip.

The Kitty Bryan Dill Memorial Parkway runs 3.75 miles through West Point and connects five local parks. In 2005, the U.S. Department of the Interior designated it a National Recreational Trail. Its length and the number of parks it connects provide clear points of reference for planning: the focus here is not a single lake, but a trail linking several park destinations.

Golf is another possible travel theme, but access is clearly restricted: Old Waverly has two golf courses, available exclusively to members of the Old Waverly Club and their guests. Check this access policy before planning a visit.

Architecture, Music History, and Events

The West Point Unified Historic District brings together three previously designated historic districts and additional areas to showcase West Point’s architectural heritage. It includes 401 historically and architecturally significant properties. Its scope makes the district an extensive point of interest for anyone interested in the town’s built heritage, rather than just one individual building.

Center Stage is located in Central School, a building designated a Mississippi Historic Landmark. The auditorium was originally built in 1928 and has an orchestra pit, tiered seating, and a balcony. A performing arts venue, Center Stage has 450 seats and is used by West Point schools and the community. Architecture, the building’s history, and its present-day use come together here. The Sam Wilhite Transportation Museum offers a different cultural focus, with rows of transportation vehicles and historical information on display.

Several sites and events commemorate Howlin’ Wolf. He was born on June 10, 1910, in White Station, north of West Point. His Mississippi Blues Trail marker is in West Point at 510 East Broad Street. A park also features a black granite statue in his honor, along with a memorial bench and a marker honoring Lillie Handley Burnett. An annual memorial festival in West Point honors Howlin’ Wolf; check the dates for the year of your trip.

The Prairie Arts Festival takes place every year in downtown West Point, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Saturday before Labor Day. It includes more than 600 exhibits and traditional Southern cuisine; offerings may vary from year to year. If you want your stay to include the festival, plan around the date in your intended travel year. This allows you to consider cultural sites, music history, and events as distinct reasons to visit.

Guidance for Choosing a Hotel

West Point is at the intersection of U.S. Highway 45 Alternate and State Highway 50. The local airport, McCharen Field, has runway and hangar capacity for business aircraft and small private and sport aircraft; confirm operational details before your trip. Then choose accommodations based on their actual location and the destinations you want to visit.

Discover more destinations: West Point, Oktibbeha County, Forrest County, Claiborne, Issaquena County, Union County, Lincoln County, Prentiss

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