Flint Creek Water Park
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Flint Creek Water Park
| alt_name =
| iucn_category =
| photo = FlintCreekReservoir aerial photo.jpg
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = Aerial view of Flint Creek Reservoir
| photo_width =
| map = Mississippi#USA
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| map_width =
| location = Stone County, Mississippi
| nearest_city = Wiggins
| coordinates = {{coord|30|52|17|N|89|07|17|W|display=inline, title}}
| area = {{convert|1900|acre|ha|abbr=on}}
| established = {{Start date|1969}}{{cite web|url=http://stc.stparchive.com/Archive/STC/STC07302003P06.php|title=Stone County Enterprise July 30, 2003, Page 6 – Flint Creek Water Park offers year round fun|website=stc.stparchive.com|accessdate=8 May 2019}}
| visitation_num = 350,000—500,000 annually
| governing_body = Pat Harrison Waterway District
| url = [http://www.phwd.net/flint/flint.html Flint Creek Water Park]
}}
Flint Creek Water Park, located in Wiggins, Mississippi, is part of the Pat Harrison Waterway District, which is a Mississippi State Agency providing outdoor recreation and management of the Pascagoula River Basin.{{Cite web|url=http://www.phwd.net/|title=Pat Harrison Waterway District {{!}} Home|last=|first=|date=|website=www.phwd.net|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=2019-05-08}} The purpose of the nine water parks located in southeast and east-central Mississippi is to provide flood control, water management, and recreation.
This is not to be confused with the Flint Creek Waterpark in Colcord, Oklahoma on the Flint Creek that flows through Arkansas and Oklahoma.{{cite web|url= https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.28551 |title=Flint Creek Waterpark|publisher=TravelOK.com|accessdate=July 15, 2021}}
Description
The {{convert|1900|acre|km2|adj=on}} Flint Creek Water Park provides a wide assortment of outdoor recreational opportunities, most focusing on water sports.{{Cite web|url=http://www.phwd.net/flint/flint.html|title=Pat Harrison Waterway District {{!}} Flint Creek Water Park|last=|first=|date=|website=www.phwd.net|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=2019-05-08}} The {{convert|600|acre|km2|adj=on}} Flint Creek Reservoir is created by an earthen dam impounding the headwaters of Flint Creek, which flows south into Red Creek,{{Cite web|url=http://ltmcp.org/red-creek-blueway/|title=Red Creek Blueway|last=Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain|date=|website=ltmcp.org|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=2019-05-08}} a tributary of the Pascagoula River.
The lake is stocked with popular southern sporting fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. The swimming area, which is seasonally open, features several water slides suitable for either children or adults. A nature trail provides visitors with an opportunity to enjoy outdoor scenery, plants, and wildlife. There are several options for overnight visitors— 156 Class A RV campsites, 40 primitive campsites, 34 vacation cabins and 12 camphouses.{{Cite web |url=http://www.parkmaps.com/USA/Mississippi/County/stone/details.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127155222/http://parkmaps.com/USA/Mississippi/County/stone/details.htm |archive-date=2010-11-27 |url-status=dead }} A picnic area with tables and barbecue pits is also available for day use.
In May 2015, Splash of Fun opened within the Water Park and replaced Water Town recreation area. Splash of Fun recreation amenities include water slides, a swimming pool, lazy-river tubing, and a putt-putt golf course.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wlox.com/story/29146658/splash-of-fun-opens-with-a-splash-at-flint-creek-water-park|title=Splash of Fun opens with a splash at Flint Creek Water Park|last=Lacy|first=Mike|date=|website=wlox.com|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=2019-05-08}}
In 2024, the Water Park opened its 18-hole Cheona Trails Disc Golf Course designed by Bo Kirk.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-12 |title=Cheona Trails Disc Golf Course - Wiggins, MS {{!}} UDisc Disc Golf Course Directory |url=https://udisc.com/courses/cheona-trails-disc-golf-course-Zv07 |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=UDisc - The App for Disc Golfers |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-04 |title=Cheona Trails DGC |url=https://www.dgcoursereview.com/courses/cheona-trails-dgc.14967 |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=Disc Golf Course Review |language=en-US}}
Flint Creek Water Park is about 2 miles (3 kilometers) from the Wiggins business district (via Highway 29), which provides a full complement of basic services.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityofwiggins.com/|title=City of Wiggins, Mississippi {{!}} Home|website=www.cityofwiggins.com|access-date=2019-05-08}} The Water Park is about 35 miles (56 kilometers) from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, accessible via U.S. Route 49.
In popular culture
Two annual events are very popular with both visitors and the local community. A fireworks display celebrates the Fourth of July, and a haunted forest is offered the Saturday before Halloween.
Flint Creek Water Park served as a film location for the movies Shark Lake in 2015{{Cite web |last=Leggett-Brown |first=Karrie |date=January 29, 2015 |title=Movie magic comes to Wiggins, Mississippi |url=https://www.wdam.com/story/27976701/movie-magic-comes-to-wiggins-mississippi |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2019-05-08 |website=wdam.com |language=en-US}} and Hunt Club in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Berryhill |first=Lyndy |date=February 23, 2022 |title=LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! Movie Filming In Flint Creek Park |url=https://www.stonecountyenterprise.com/news/local/lights-camera-action-movie-filming-in-flint-creek-park/image_a8745c12-9401-11ec-849f-bbbaab105a9e.html |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Stone County Enterprise |language=en}}
Gallery
Image:FlintCreekWaterPark EntrancePavilion.jpg|{{center|Entrance pavilion}}
Image:FlintCreekWaterPark CabinCove.jpg|{{center|Rental cabins in background, along reservoir cove}}
Image:FlintCreekWaterParkCabin.jpg|{{center|Rental cabin}}
Image:FlintCreekWaterPark LakeviewLodge.jpg|{{center|Lakeview lodge and conference center}}
Image:FlintCreekWaterParkRestroom Laundry.jpg|{{center|Restroom and laundry facility}}
Image:FlintCreekWaterPark PicnicShelter.jpg|{{center|Picnic shelter}}
Image:FlintCreekWaterPark PicnicArea.jpg|{{center|Picnic area}}
Image:FlintCreekWaterPark SwimArea.jpg|{{center|Designated swimming area}}