These 10 Gorgeous Waterfront Trails In Mississippi Are Perfect For A Summer Day
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published July 21, 2016
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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.
When it comes to summertime activities in Mississippi, hiking may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but that’s just because you need to know where to go. Perfect for the warm weather that is synonymous with Mississippi summers, these trails are either centered around gorgeous bodies of water or lead straight to them. From short treks to trails for the more experienced hiker, these waterfront hikes make great summer outings.
Divided into three tiers, this one-of-a-kind trail offers unparalleled views of the Mississippi River. Start your journey at the historic bluff and begin your nearly vertical 200' descent down to the riverbank below.
This trail, which is located in Tishomingo State Park, is rated as moderate on the difficulty scale, but with scenic views of the Appalachian foothills, huge rock formations, rare fern-filled crevices, and the pristine Bear Creek, it’s worth the extra effort.
Located in Ocean Springs, this two-mile loop trail traverses a coastal forest and two bayous, which means alligator sightings are a real possibility. Ideal for any skill level, the Davis Bayou Trail is accessible year-round and is also ideal for bird watching and biking.
Located in the Holly Springs National Forest, this trail is centered around the spring-fed Chewella Lake, which is the largest reservoir in the forest. Part of a fully developed recreational area, hikers will also have access to a beach, swimming, and campsites with RV hookups.
Part of the Greenwood-Yazoo River Natural Area, the Yazoo River Trail includes two routes – the meadow trail, which meanders through gorgeous groves of trees, and the forest trail, which winds along the breathtaking Yazoo River. Other onsite amenities include picnic tables, benches, and bike racks.
A hiker’s dream come true, Tuxachanie Hiking Trail spans over a dozen miles and includes multiple entrances. And the variety doesn’t end there. Scenery along the trail includes abandoned railroad trestles from the early 1900s, a German POW camp, a variety of habitats and the pristine Airey Lake.
This loop trail begins and ends at the Gazebo on Natchez’s popular Spanish Promenade. The bluff-top park is one of the oldest and undeveloped spaces in the nation and just so happens to provide unbelievable views of the Mighty Mississippi.
10. Marathon Lake Recreation Area Trail, near Raleigh
At 1.5 miles, this loop trail may be short in length but it’s not short on great vistas, especially since it’s centered around a pristine lake. The recreation area also includes picnic areas, tent sites and RV sites.