Parks Manager

National parks near Hazlehurst, Mississippi

Hot Springs National Park is the closest national park to Hazlehurst, Mississippi — 239 mi (385 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 6 hr 7 min behind the wheel.

Hazlehurst has a population of about 3,924.

National parks near Hazlehurst

Parks ranked by distance from Hazlehurst
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Hot Springs National Park239 mi (385 km)6 hr 7 minWorth a longer road trip
Mammoth Cave National Park442 mi (711 km)10 hr 55 minWorth a longer road trip
Gateway Arch National Park467 mi (752 km)11 hr 30 minWorth a longer road trip
Great Smoky Mountains National Park471 mi (758 km)11 hr 36 minWorth a longer road trip
Congaree National Park574 mi (923 km)14 hr 2 minWorth a longer road trip
Los Novillos National Park650 mi (1046 km)15 hr 50 minWorth a longer road trip
Arrecife Alacranes National Park656 mi (1056 km)15 hr 59 minWorth a longer road trip
Dry Tortugas National Park677 mi (1090 km)16 hr 29 minWorth a longer road trip
New River Gorge National Park679 mi (1093 km)16 hr 32 minWorth a longer road trip
Indiana Dunes National Park700 mi (1126 km)17 hr 1 minWorth a longer road trip

What to book before you leave Hazlehurst

Reservations needed at parks near Hazlehurst
ParkWhat needs bookingCoversHow
Great Smoky MountainsGreat Smoky Mountains National Park Parking TagParking, not an entrance feeTimed reservation

Camping near Hazlehurst

Within reach of Hazlehurst, 50 campgrounds across 7 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 30 at Great Smoky Mountains, 5 at Mammoth Cave, 5 at New River Gorge, and 5 at Indiana Dunes, plus 3 more parks with fewer sites.

Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.

Once a date is gone, cancellations are the real supply, and they get taken within minutes of appearing.

When to make this trip

Hot Springs National Park is generally best March through May, then September through November, with February and December as the quieter shoulder either side.

Midsummer is hot, humid, and buggy; winter is mild and one of the better times to visit.

Biting insects and afternoon storms dominate summer. Repellent and a rain shell matter more than warm layers.

Month-by-month detail for Hot Springs National Park

Seeing more than one

Several parks near Hazlehurst are close enough to each other to combine on one trip, so the drive from home only has to happen once.

Distances between parks near Hazlehurst
PairApartEstimated drive
Mammoth Cave → Great Smoky Mountains179 mi (288 km)4 hr 41 min
Great Smoky Mountains → Congaree202 mi (325 km)5 hr 14 min

Planning a trip from Hazlehurst

Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.

Read the Hot Springs National Park guide

Other towns in Copiah County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Hazlehurst?

Hot Springs National Park. It is about 239 mi (385 km) from Hazlehurst, roughly 6 hr 7 min of driving.

Can I do a national park day trip from Hazlehurst?

Not comfortably. The nearest parks are far enough that you will want at least one night away.

How many national parks are near Hazlehurst?

10 parks are within reach of Hazlehurst, 0 of them close enough for a day trip.

Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Hazlehurst?

None of them gate the entrance itself. These requirements are usually seasonal, so check the date you plan to arrive.

Where can you camp near Hazlehurst?

Recreation.gov lists 50 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Hazlehurst. They are spread across 7 of those parks.

When is the best time to visit the parks near Hazlehurst?

For Hot Springs National Park, the closest one, generally March through May, then September through November. Either side of that, February and December stays quieter.