Nestled within Tombigbee National Forest, you’ll find one of Mississippi’s most idyllic hikes – the Lakeside Trail. Not only does the trail encircle a pristine lake, but it features footbridges that allow you to actually walk over the lake.

A nature lover’s delight, the Choctaw Lake Recreation Area in Tombigbee National Forest boasts lots of opportunities for outdoor fun.
Merle Baker/Google
Visitors can enjoy camping, picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, biking, and…hiking, of course!
Cody Cohutta/AllTrails
There are several trails in the recreation area. One of the most popular is the Lakeside Trail. Short and sweet, the 2.5-mile trail circles Choctaw Lake pretty close to its shore.
Olivia Vilmstone/Google
Bounded by the forest on one side and the lake on the other, the trail boasts great views throughout.
Jeff Ames/AllTrails

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Wooden footbridges span the upper end of the lake, allowing hikers to essentially walk on water.
Cody Cohutta/AllTrails
The footbridges provide a great vantage point for taking in aquatic plants as well as birds, frogs, and turtles. (There are snakes, too, so be careful!)
Natalie Byram/AllTrails
Seasonal sights, such as fall foliage and spring wildflowers, make the Lakeside Trail a great trek year-round.
Olivia Vilmstone/Google
Remember, Lakeside Trail is just one of the trails in Choctaw Lake Recreation Area.
Larry Jarett/AllTrails
Even better, many of the trails connect to one another, allowing for one long, continuous hike.
John Giesemann/AllTrails

For more information on Choctaw Lake Recreation Area and its trails, visit the U.S. Forest Service website.

So, did you know about this forest trail in Mississippi? Ever trekked along the Lakeside Trail? If so, what’d you think? Tell us!

This is just one of the great hikes in Mississippi. Click here to read about a hike that leads to an abandoned POW camp.

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CHOCTAW LAKE (recgovnpsdata), Forest Road 967, Ackerman, MS 39735, USA