Posted in Mississippi
September 27, 2016
Take This Gorgeous Fall Foliage Road Trip To See Mississippi Like Never Before
Although fall has officially begun, the visual effects of the season won’t be seen here in Mississippi for quite some time. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the state’s peak fall foliage dates are October 19th – November 4th. These dates may seem far off, but they’ll be here before you know it, which is why we decided to look around and find the best places in the state for viewing this annual wonder. Ready to see Mississippi like never before? From state parks to national forests, this one-of-a-kind road trip will definitely do the trick.
Spanning 860 miles with nearly 14 hours of driving time, you’ll need to break the trip up into at least two days. Staying overnight at one of the state parks is a great option. Click here for more information.
During the fall season, the 189,000-acre Homochitto National Forest comes to life with vibrant colors. The forest is teeming with nature trails and recreation areas, which makes it a great spot for exploring. Lake Okhissa (pictured) provides gorgeous views year-round, especially in the fall. Also nestled in the forest is the Clear Springs Recreation Area. A great stop, the area includes a man-made lake, campground, picnic area, swim area, and two hiking trails.
When it comes to beautiful fall foliage, no place can compare to the Natchez Trace Parkway. Since driving the entire parkway would be a road trip all its own, we decided to include only a portion of the famous path. Located at milepost 105.6, the Reservoir Overlook has been named one of the “Top 30 Favorite Sites” on the Natchez Trace. Spend time here taking in the popular Ross Barnett Reservoir and colorful foliage via a Multi-Use Trail.
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. Be sure to have your camera ready – the area is known for providing great photo-ops.
A park known for its beauty, Tishomingo only gets better this time of year. Full of massive rock formations, rare fern-filled crevices, and several waterfalls, the park is definitely one of Mississippi’s most impressive natural wonders. You’ll definitely want to devote some time to exploring this park, which has been nationally recognized for its hiking trails, canoeing, scenery, and cabins – making this a great place to stay overnight.
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.
Located just south of Starkville, this refuge was created in 1940. Hardwood and pine forests, lakes, ponds, and an array of wildlife fill the 42,500-acre outdoor recreation area. The fall season is the perfect time to visit the area – not only because of the cooler weather but also because of the vibrant foliage that pops up all over the place. Absolutely breathtaking, this WMA is truly a sight to be seen.
This nature trail is part of Lucedale’s city trail system and 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.
Fall is definitely one of the most beautiful times of the year in Mississippi!
Want to take in more of the state’s beauty? Check out “These 9 Beautiful Byways In Mississippi Are Perfect For A Scenic Drive.“
