Take This Epic Road Trip To Experience Mississippi’s Great Outdoors
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published May 16, 2018
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
With great hiking trails, incredible state parks, and even a few waterfalls, the options for exploring the great outdoors are plentiful in Mississippi. The seemingly never-ending list of options can actually be a bit overwhelming – and that’s where this road trip comes in. We mapped out a route that’ll take you to some of the best outdoor wonders in the Magnolia State. Spanning 887 miles and estimated to take just under 16 hours, the trip is perfect for a weekend of experiencing the great outdoors. Take a look:
Start your epic road trip with Natchez’s epic trail – The Nature Trail. Also known as the "Lower Trail," the one-a-kind hike provides unparalleled views of the Mighty Mississippi. The 3-tiered trail is just under ½-mile and comes to an end in Natchez’s historic district, Under-The-Hill, providing the perfect opportunity to explore the area, which includes several eateries and shops.
Experience Mississippi like never before with a visit to this 700-acre nature area. Primitive and improved trails make it easy to explore the incredible outdoor treasure, which features steeply sloping hills, forests, and dozens of waterfalls. With so much to see, you could easily spend an entire day at Clark Creek alone. And while the park doesn’t offer camping, the Tunica Hills Campground is nearby.
An outdoor themed road trip wouldn’t be complete without a stop by Red Bluff, which is also known as the "Little Grand Canyon." You can walk right up to the edge of the ½-mile-wide-canyon, where you’ll be met with unparalleled views made up of miles of tree tops and the Pearl River. Or, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, hike down to the bottom of the canyon, which is about 150’ deep.
Seeped in history, this man-made waterfall was created in the 1850s and was once the power source for the factory of famed hat maker J.B. Stetson. At 65’ in height, it’s by far the tallest waterfall in Mississippi. Part of a state water park, Dunn’s Falls is extremely easy to get to and includes access to amenities such as a picnic area and barbecue grills. There’s also an overlook, so you can take in the waterfall from below and above.
An outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true, this state park offers everything from hiking and wildlife viewing to kayaking and rock climbing. But you don’t have to just take our word for it. Over the years, the park has won numerous awards, including Top 50 Hiking Trails, Top 50 Scenic Views, and Top 25 Amazing Locations.
6. JP Coleman State Park
Skylar Herring
Finish up your road trip with a visit to this incredible state park, where you’ll find a 47,500-acre lake, 50’ waterfall, and bevy of other amenities. While at the park, be sure to visit nearby Chalk Mine Hollow. The abandoned chalk mine is about the size of a Wal-Mart and includes three long tunnels, which are connected by numerous passageways.
So, do you think you’ll be heading out on this adventure anytime soon? Have another destination to add? Tell us in the comments section.
