Posted in Mississippi Hiking, Nature May 22, 2019 by

This Hike Takes You To A Place Mississippi’s First Residents Left Behind

Mississippi is home to some great hiking trails, but the Rocky Springs Trail has got to be one of the best. Not only does it include beautiful natural sites, but it leads straight to the remnants of an abandoned town. The best part is, the trail is nice and short, so it’s perfect for all ages and skill levels. Take a look:

Located right off the Natchez Trace Parkway, the Rocky Springs Trail is incredibly easy to access.
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Exit the parkway at milepost 54.8, and the first thing you’ll come across is Rocky Springs Visitor Center, where you can get some information about the history of Rocky Springs.
As you make your way from the visitor center, you’ll come across the Rocky Springs Campground, which is where the Rocky Springs Trail begins.
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When it comes to hiking the trail, there are several different options, including a short loop-to-loop trail that leads straight to the old town of Rocky Springs.
The trail includes some informative signage about Rocky Springs, which was established in 1790 and quickly grew into a bustling community.
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In its heyday it was home to nearly 4,500 residents and included a church, private school, post office, tavern, banks, and more. The town’s location on the Natchez Trace had a lot to do with its growth. Since several miles of the old Trace went right through Rocky Springs, the town included several stores and inns that provided food and shelter to the large numbers of travelers passing through.
Today, Rocky Springs is far cry from the thriving town it was once.
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So, what happened to Rocky Springs? Well, by the 1940s, the once prosperous community didn’t have a single resident. Its demise is linked to several factors, including the Civil War, two Yellow Fever outbreaks, and a boll weevil epidemic.
Now a ghost town, all that’s left of Rocky Springs is a church, cemetery, a couple of safes, and cistern - all of which you'll see as you meander along the trail.
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The remaining safes are believed to have been used in the town’s banks or post office, while the cisterns were used to capture and store water.
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Rocky Springs Methodist Church is the town’s only remaining building – and probably one of the best parts about the Rocky Springs Trail.
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Built in 1837, the church was used regularly until 2010. Though closed for quite some time, it's open to visitors.
Like most churches, the Rocky Springs Methodist Church includes a cemetery, which includes graves dating back to the 1800s.
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The cemetery’s age and ghost town location aren’t the only interesting things about it, though.
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According to legend, a group of outlaws known as the Mason-Harpe Gang had a hideout in Rocky Springs and allegedly buried "tens of thousands of dollars in stolen gold and silver" somewhere near the cemetery.
The trail comes to an end back at Rocky Springs Campground. Call it a day or plan to spend the night.
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Not only does the campground have both primitive and RV sites, but it’s FREE.

For more information on Rocky Springs, visit the NPS website.

Address: Natchez Trace Milepost 54.8, Hermanville, MS, 39086

So, ever hiked through Rocky Springs? If so, what’d you think? Know of another trail that leads to a great spot? Tell us in the comments section.

This isn’t the only trail that’ll lead to an interesting piece of history. Learn about others here.