Bonita Lakes Park in Meridian, Mississippi, is a city-owned park covering about 3,300 acres, with three lakes and a broad mix of outdoor activities. You can plan a short walk by the water or set aside time for longer trails, picnicking and lake activities.
- Location: Bonita Reservoir Road, Meridian, MS 39301
- Scale: about 3,300 acres and three lakes
- Trail choices include a 1.2-mile path around the lower lake and a moderate 7-mile gravel loop
- Admission is free; published opening hours range from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
What Bonita Lakes Park offers
Bonita Lakes Park combines lakeside scenery with space for recreation across a large city park. Activities include hiking, mountain biking, walking, jogging, picnicking, fishing, paddling and horseback riding.
Facilities include two large playgrounds, picnic areas, rentable pavilions and workout stations at the upper and lower lakes. Picnic areas are spread throughout the park, and pavilions are available to rent.
The park’s scale makes it useful to choose your main activity before setting out. A lower-lake walk, a gravel trail outing and time at the playgrounds are different ways to spend a visit, with the lakes providing a common point of reference.
If you’re planning a wider outing, the one-day Meridian itinerary includes other ways to organize time in the city.
Which trails and lake activities can you choose?
Bonita Lakes Park has routes for a brief lakeside walk as well as longer outings on gravel, single-track and equestrian trails.
A walking path circles the lower lake for 1.2 miles. The moderate gravel loop is 7 miles, with several single-track trails. Equestrian routes extend for more than 10 miles along a lakeshore, through flats and hills; the park has more than 20 miles of equestrian trails overall.
Water activities include fishing, canoeing, kayaking and boating, and a boat ramp is available. If you’re planning to ride, horse-trailer parking, wash space and water for horses are available to equestrian trail users.
How do you get to Bonita Lakes Park?
The park’s address is Bonita Reservoir Road, Meridian, MS 39301. From I-59/20, take exit 154-A when traveling east or exit 154 when traveling west to Highway 19 South; the park is on the right.
Admission is free, and published opening hours range from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check the official site before you go, especially if your plans depend on opening hours or a particular facility. For questions about the park, call 601-485-1920.
Downtown Meridian offers a different kind of outing; the downtown Meridian neighbourhood guide covers that part of the city.
What should you plan for at the park?
Pick a route to match the time and activity you have in mind: the loop around the lower lake is 1.2 miles, while the moderate gravel loop is 7 miles. For a family outing, the two playgrounds and picnic areas give you options beyond the trails.
Dogs are allowed on park trails and must be leashed. If you’re bringing a horse, equestrian facilities include trailer parking, wash space and water. The park also has trails for horseback riding.
Bonita Lakes has a small piece of local history, too: Mississippi’s first geocache was placed there in October 2000.
Motel 6-Meridian has a three-star-rated room selection.
FAQs
Is Bonita Lakes Park free to enter?
Yes, admission is free. Opening hours are published as ranging from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Can you bring a dog to Bonita Lakes Park?
Dogs are permitted on the trails but must be leashed.
Can you rent a pavilion at Bonita Lakes Park?
Yes. Pavilions are available to rent, and picnic areas are located throughout the park.
Are there activities beyond walking at Bonita Lakes Park?
Yes. Options include mountain biking, jogging, picnicking, fishing, paddling and horseback riding, as well as playgrounds and workout stations.