Major city · United States
Forest
Skip unless you need a cheap overnight on I-20 or want to see Roosevelt State Park: half a day is enough.
Forest is a small city in the Mississippi Pines region, a stop on I-20 between Jackson and Meridian. Its main draw is Roosevelt State Park, with trails, a lake and a water slide. The town itself has a few soul-food restaurants and a Days Inn. Most travellers use it as a quick overnight or a lunch break.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid)
- Airports
- JAN · MEI
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Forest911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Forest, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyForest is a small, quiet town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportJAN Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (About 1 h west on I-20).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (fast food or gas station)$2–3
- Budget bedMotel double room (Days Inn or similar), a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedMotel double room (Days Inn or similar), a night, per roomUS$90
- High-end bedMotel double room (Days Inn or similar), a night, per roomUS$130
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$100 · High US$180
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- JAN Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (About 1 h west on I-20) · MEI Meridian Regional (About 30 min east on I-20)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jul (11 rain days), driest Oct (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Forest: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. I-20 runs east–west; Hwy 35 connects to the state park. No public transport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Roosevelt State Park
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive west on I-20 then south on MS-13, about 20 min
Day-use fee $2 per person (check). Trails, lake, water slide.
Meridian
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Drive east on I-20, about 30 min
Larger town with the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum and the Dentzel Carousel.
Starkville
goDoor to door: About 1 h 10 min
Drive north on Hwy 35, about 1 h
Home to Mississippi State University; college-town atmosphere.
Jackson
goDoor to door: About 1 h 10 min
Drive west on I-20, about 1 h
State capital with museums, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Old Capitol.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Along Hwy 35 / I-20
Motels and fast food near the interstate; convenient for one night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room (Days Inn or similar)1 × 1 night × US$90 | US$90 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Roosevelt State Park day-use fee, per person2 × US$2 · check | US$4 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$29 |
| Trip total≈ US$162 per person per day, bed included | US$323 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Soul food buffet (Garden Patch)check | $10–15 |
| Coffee (fast food or gas station) | $2–3 |
| Gasoline, per gallon2026 estimate | $3–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roosevelt State Park charges a $2 day-use fee per person (check).
- Lake Railroad Depot is only open during Lakefest Day in May (check).
- No bars in Forest; for nightlife go to Jackson.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ForestForest
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
Most embassies are in Washington, DC. Consulates in Atlanta or New Orleans.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Jackson → Forest, I-20: About 1 h by car
- Meridian → Forest, I-20: About 30 min by car
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Forest. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Forest
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