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mississippi
Mississippi, the Magnolia State, delivers some of the most unique and underrated hiking experiences in the southeastern United States. Far from towering peaks, Mississippi hiking celebrates flat-to-gently-rolling landscapes of dense piney woods, ancient hardwood bottoms, Gulf Coast marshes and bayous, dramatic red clay bluffs, and the historic corridors of the Natchez Trace Parkway, blending natural beauty with deep cultural and historical significance.
A few highlights from this state’s most popular hiking trails include:
- Clark Creek Natural Area Trail – steep ravines, over 50 waterfalls, moss-covered boulders, and fern-filled crevices in a rare Appalachian-like setting for Mississippi
- Red Bluff Trail – striking red, orange, and white clay bluffs overlooking the Pearl River, often called the “Little Grand Canyon of Mississippi” for its colorful erosion-carved vistas
- Tuxachanie Trail in De Soto National Forest – a long-distance path following an old logging railroad grade through pine ridges, hardwood bottoms, creeks, wetlands, and boardwalks
- Black Creek Trail – one of Mississippi’s longest and most scenic trails along the Wild and Scenic Black Creek, featuring white sandbars, tupelo swamps, pine forests, and primitive camping
- Bear Creek Outcropping Trail in Tishomingo State Park – massive boulders, waterfalls, and lush greenery in the Appalachian foothills, offering a “mountain” feel rare in the state
- Cypress Swamp Trail on the Natchez Trace Parkway – an elevated boardwalk winding through an ancient cypress-tupelo swamp with towering trees, Spanish moss, and abundant wildlife
- Natchez Trace - Rocky Springs Trail – historic path to the ghost town ruins of Rocky Springs, including church remnants, a cemetery, and a spring-fed creek
- Tanglefoot Trail – Mississippi’s longest rails-to-trails conversion, a paved path through scenic hills, farmland, forests, and small towns from New Albany to Houston
- Longleaf Trace – a 44-mile paved rails-to-trails route from Hattiesburg to Prentiss, passing pine forests, rural landscapes, and historic railbed features
- Tunica Hills Trail (near the border influence) – ravines and bluffs with seasonal waterfalls, echoing the hilly terrain found in nearby areas
Whether you’re looking for an easy, flat boardwalk stroll through cypress swamps, a gentle rails-to-trails walk on paved paths, or a more challenging hike with steep ravines and scrambling in places like Clark Creek or Bear Creek, Mississippi offers trails for every skill level. Families love accessible options like the Cypress Swamp Boardwalk and Davis Bayou loops, while adventurous hikers seek out the primitive backcountry of Black Creek and De Soto National Forest segments.
In addition to its natural diversity, Mississippi hiking is deeply intertwined with history. The Natchez Trace Parkway trails follow one of America’s oldest roads, passing pioneer graves, abandoned towns, and interpretive sites from Native American times through the Civil War era. Many paths highlight the Civilian Conservation Corps legacy, especially in state parks like Tishomingo, where stonework and structures remain from the 1930s.
Hiking here is an immersive way to experience Mississippi’s rich and varied ecosystems: vast longleaf pine savannas, bottomland hardwood forests, Gulf Coast tidal marshes, rare red bluff formations, and the quiet flow of bayous and creeks. You’ll encounter diverse wildlife—from alligators and herons in coastal wetlands to deer, turkeys, and songbirds in the piney woods—along with spring wildflowers, fall color, and the soothing sounds of water and wind through the trees. Interpretive trails along the Natchez Trace and in national forests provide fascinating insights into ecology, geology, and the state’s conservation efforts.
Whether you’re chasing dramatic bluffs, wandering historic pathways, exploring hidden waterfalls in ravines, or simply enjoying the peaceful solitude of pine-scented forests, Mississippi delivers distinctive, off-the-beaten-path outdoor adventures and reveals the wild, watery, and wonderfully varied heart of the Deep South.
Trail Locations in mississippi
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Trails in mississippi
Bear Creek Outcropping Trail
Tishomingo County
Explore massive boulders and fern-filled crevices in Appalachian foothills.
Bethel Trail
Harrison County
Pine forest and wetland connector extending the Tuxachanie system.
Big Foot Horse Trail
Stone County
Multi-loop equestrian trail system welcoming hikers through pine forests.
Black Creek Trail
Stone County
Follow Mississippi's Wild and Scenic River through piney woods wilderness.
Black Creek Trail - Fairley to Big Creek
Stone County
Scenic river segment with sandbars and primitive camping.
Black Creek Wilderness Trail
Stone County
Primitive wilderness immersion along pristine creek.
Blackland Prairie Trail
Lee County
Prairie and hardwood forest walk showcasing rare ecosystem near Tupelo.
Bonita Lakes Loop
Lauderdale County
Multi-use trail system circling scenic lakes in Meridian.
CCC Camp Trail
Tishomingo County
Loop through massive rock formations in Tishomingo State Park.
Clark Creek Natural Area Trail
Wilkinson County
Descend into dramatic ravines with multiple waterfalls in historic hardwood forest.
Clear Springs Lake Trail
Franklin County
Easy loop around spring-fed lake in Homochitto National Forest.
Clear Springs Recreation Area Trail
Franklin County
Shaded lakeside loop with swimming and picnic facilities.
Cypress Swamp Boardwalk
Madison County
Accessible boardwalk loop through flooded cypress forest.
Cypress Swamp Trail
Madison County
Elevated boardwalk through ancient cypress forest on the Natchez Trace.
Davis Bayou Picnic Area Trail
Jackson County
Extension to bayou overlooks and picnic facilities.
Davis Bayou Trail
Jackson County
Easy coastal loop with marshes, wading birds, and Gulf breezes.
De Soto NF - Bethel to Airey Lake
Harrison County
Wetland crossing to scenic forest lake.
De Soto NF - Big Foot Yellow Loop
Stone County
Mid-length equestrian loop welcoming hikers.
De Soto NF - Leaf Wilderness Segment
Stone County
Remote wilderness segment along Leaf River.
De Soto NF - Rattlesnake Bay Short Loop
Stone County
Quick pine flatwoods loop for solitude seekers.
Dunn's Falls Trail
Clarke County
Easy path to historic waterfall and mill site on Chunky River.
Fall Hollow Trail
Tishomingo County
Quick path to scenic waterfall along the Natchez Trace.
Fontainebleau Trail
Jackson County
Loop through Sandhill Crane refuge with pine savannas and bayou views.
Gulf Islands NS - Ocean Springs Boardwalk
Jackson County
Accessible coastal boardwalk with marsh and bay views.
Homochitto NF - Clear Springs Loop
Franklin County
Extended lake and forest circuit with fishing access.
Homochitto NF - Richardson Creek Extension
Franklin County
Extended loop through hilly forest with stream crossings.
Judy Toups Trail
Jackson County
Educational nature walk through diverse coastal habitats.
Leaf River Trail
Stone County
Remote wilderness path along scenic Leaf River.
Longleaf Trace
Forrest County
Paved rails-to-trails through pine forests and rural Mississippi.
Longleaf Trace - Hattiesburg Segment
Forrest County
Popular paved segment from urban to rural landscapes.
Natchez Trace - Blackland Prairie Segment
Lee County
Walk through rare native prairie with seasonal wildflowers.
Natchez Trace - Cypress Swamp Loop
Madison County
Accessible boardwalk loop through flooded forest.
Natchez Trace - Cypress Swamp to Jackson Falls
Madison County
Connector trail linking swamp boardwalk to waterfall.
Natchez Trace - Owens Creek Waterfall
Tishomingo County
Quick path to scenic waterfall and creek.
Natchez Trace - Rocky Springs Trail
Claiborne County
Historic path to abandoned town ruins and cemetery along the Trace.
Noxubee Hills Outer Loop
Oktibbeha County
Challenging backpacking loop through hills and wildlife refuge.
Old Trace - Rocky Springs to Owens Creek
Claiborne County
Walk the preserved original Natchez Trace through forest and history.
Pascagoula River Swamp Trail
Jackson County
Boardwalk exploration through pristine tupelo-cypress swamp.
Rattlesnake Bay ATV Trail Loop
Stone County
Sandy pine flatwoods loop open to hikers seeking solitude.
Red Bluff Trail
Marion County
Hike to Mississippi's 'Little Grand Canyon' with striking red clay bluffs.
Richardson Creek Trail
Franklin County
Hilly forested loop with stream crossings in Homochitto National Forest.
Sandhill Crane NWR Trails
Jackson County
Multiple paths through endangered crane habitat on the Gulf Coast.
Tanglefoot Trail
Union County
Mississippi's longest rails-to-trails path through scenic hills and historic towns.
Tishomingo State Park - Bear Creek Loop
Tishomingo County
Extended loop to waterfall and dramatic boulder formations.
Tishomingo State Park Swinging Bridge Trail
Tishomingo County
Adventure trail crossing suspension bridge to boulder formations.
Trace State Park Overnight Trail Segment
Pontotoc County
Backcountry segment for overnight adventures.
Trace State Park Trails
Pontotoc County
Forest and lakeshore paths with camping in northeast Mississippi.
Tuxachanie Trail
Harrison County
Long-distance pine forest trek with wetlands and historic railroad heritage.
Tuxachanie Trail - Bethel to US-49
Harrison County
Accessible segment through wetlands and pine forests.
Wall Doxey Spring Lake Trail
Marshall County
Lakeshore nature walk through north Mississippi forest.
Wall Doxey State Park Loop
Marshall County
Peaceful lake loop through forests with picnic areas and fishing.
Yockanookany Section - Natchez Trace
Leake County
Longest developed trail section along the historic Trace.
Yockanookany Trail - Hwy 43 Segment
Leake County
Accessible Natchez Trace section with equestrian staging.