7 Short And Sweet Fall Hikes In Mississippi With A Spectacular End View
If you think cooler temperatures are the reason fall is the perfect time to hike in Mississippi, you’re right. Well, partially. The other reason is the colorful foliage that comes along with the season. Though beautiful year round, there’s no denying that the state gets even better looking in the fall as the leaves begin to change. Luckily, there are several easy hikes where you can take in these spectacular fall views; here are 7 of them.
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Located in the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, this point-to-point trail runs 1-mile each way, making for a 2-mile round trip. The popular path winds through bottomland hardwood forest, following the bank of Oktoc Creek. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the various species of wildlife that inhabit the area, including blue herons, wood ducks, and deer.
Part of Lucedale’s city trail system, this nature trail follows Depot Creek. Suitable for people of all ages and skill levels, the trail is the perfect way to explore the wooded area surrounding the creek all while taking in the vividly-colored fall foliage.
If you’re looking for a quick hike with a beautiful fall view, look no further than Pat Lamar Park. Designed as an outdoor arboretum and filled with walking trails, it’s the perfect place for exploration and relaxation, especially in the fall when the leaves begin to change. The park even includes a beautiful lake, which is a great fishing spot, so bring along your pole and make a day of it.
Joey Wilder/Wilder Images Photography
A park known for its beauty, Tishomingo only gets better in the fall. Full of massive rock formations, rare fern-filled crevices, and several waterfalls, the park is definitely one of Mississippi’s most impressive natural wonders. Explore the park via the Bear Creek Outcroppings Trail. The 3.3-mile trail is rated as moderate on the difficulty scale but with scenic views of the Appalachian foothills, it’s definitely worth the extra effort.
Joey Wilder/Wilder Images Photography
Also located in Tishomingo State Park, this 3-mile loop trail follows rocky outcrops and crosses several pristine springs and streams before coming to an end at the Swinging Bridge.
Built around two lakes and surrounded by gorgeous hardwood forests, stunning views are a given at this Durant state park, and those views only get better during the fall season. Though there’s no official nature trail, it’s the perfect place to meander. Be sure to have your camera ready – the area is known for providing great photo-ops.
You may think lakes are best reserved for summer, but that’s definitely not the case with Sardis Lake, which is located within a 98,000-acre recreation area, perfect for everything from picnicking to hunting. Exploring the area, and the breathtaking fall foliage, is a breeze since there are several nature trails throughout the recreation area. And since they range in length from 1.5 miles to 13 miles, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs (and time constraints).
Ever hiked any of these trails? Have one to add to this list? Tell us in the comments section.
Looking for more activities to add to your seasonal bucket list? Check out “10 Harvest Festivals In Mississippi That Will Make Your Autumn Awesome.“
