A familiar spot along the Pearl River is taking a step toward welcoming campers again. A groundbreaking Friday, Sept. 18, marked a new beginning for Ratliff Ferry RV Park, a 73-site project near the Natchez Trace Parkway and Ross Barnett Reservoir. Nick Gullette, whose partners on the project are Carl Sandberg and Stephen Cook, told those gathered that the effort is about bringing an important part of Ratliff Ferry back to life.
“This RV park, it used to be a staple of this place and we’re reviving it, bringing it back to life,” Gullette said. He described the groundbreaking as the result of a lengthy planning process, with permitting, design work and other preparations taking place well before construction could begin. For the partners, the vision is a welcoming place where families, friends and travelers can spend time outdoors and enjoy this part of Madison County.
The park’s location puts fishing, boating and trips along the Natchez Trace close at hand. According to the Ratliff Ferry RV Park website, the property at 1275 Ratliff Ferry Road will offer 73 sites, with amenities listed that include Wi-Fi at every site, laundry facilities, restrooms and showers, and a dog-friendly setting. The website also highlights access to the Pearl River and Reservoir, along with the Ratliff Ferry Restaurant Bar & Grill, live music, a gas station and convenience store.
Although Friday’s ceremony marked the formal groundbreaking, Gullette said work on the property had already begun. He recognized Southern Rock as the project’s contractor and thanked the crew for its progress. “I know we’re having a groundbreaking, but we’ve already started scratching a little dirt back there,” he said. “So, we’re excited to get this going and get this built.”
Gullette also thanked local elected officials, Pearl River Valley representatives, Bank of Commerce and the team members who helped move the project through its early stages. His remarks included appreciation for the restaurant’s role in the community and the people who have helped keep Ratliff Ferry a gathering place. He opened the ceremony with a prayer that the park would become a place where visitors could find peace and a break from everyday life.
After the remarks, attendees were invited to turn dirt and gather at the restaurant for complimentary burgers. Gullette said he hopes the revived park will give families a place to make memories for years to come. An opening date was not announced during his remarks.
