Posted in Mississippi
August 14, 2016
This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Mississippi Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
When it comes to natural wonders, Mississippi is definitely not lacking. The state is full of incredible sites worthy of the distinction. These breathtaking wonders should be seen at least once, and just to make sure you don’t miss a thing, we’ve compiled this list of the most impressive and even mapped them out for you.
The road trip loop can easily be altered to suit your needs. Click here to edit the map.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Known as Mississippi’s "Little Grand Canyon,” Red Bluff is a geologic formation created by the natural erosion of the west bank of Pearl River. Unlike its famous counterpart, Red Bluff will continually get larger as the erosion process is ongoing. Although on private property, visitors have hiked to the impressive site for years now.
Considered one of the state’s most beautiful outdoor treasures, you’ll definitely want to spend a lot of time exploring Clark Creek. The 700-acre area is full of beautiful greenery, rare trees, diverse terrain, a variety of wildlife, and dozens of waterfalls.
While Bluff Park itself isn’t a natural wonder, the Mississippi River is. And it’s at this park that you’ll be able to take in breathtaking views of one of the nation’s most famous rivers. The riverfront park includes a gazebo and picnic area that overlook the Mighty Mississippi, so this would be a great place to stop for a bite to eat.
Travelled for thousands of years, this renowned trail is full of history and scenic beauty. Touring the entire trail would be a trip all its own; however, on this road trip you’ll be able to check out the portion that runs from Natchez to Jackson. The 100 mile stretch includes several amazing sites, including Indian mounds, a ghost town, and some of the most amazing scenery you've ever seen.
The only one of its kind in this part of the country, Flora’s Petrified Forest is full of ancient trees that have been transformed into stone giants through the process of petrification – a process that took millions of years! Exploring this natural wonder is a breeze thanks to a self-guided trail that includes many points of interest and informative markers.
After checking out the forest in Flora, you’ll definitely want to head to Belzoni’s Sky Lake Wildlife Management Area, which is home to an ancient bald cypress that is 47’ in circumference and 70’ in height, making it one of the tallest in the state. This WMA features a 1,700’ boardwalk that is perfect for exploring the cypress swamp and surrounding area.
Referred to as “a natural treasure in the Mississippi Delta,” the Greenville Cypress Preserve spans 16 acres and features sloughs, an area of mixed woodland, and a meadow – all of which can be viewed from an observation deck or boardwalk that navigates the preserve.
Full of massive rock formations, rare fern-filled crevices, and several waterfalls, Tishomingo State Park is 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 for an overnight stay if you’re looking to extend your road trip.
Which of these impressive sites have you seen in person? What other natural wonders would you add to this list?
What to learn about more of Mississippi’s wonders? Check out “10 Of The Most Enchanting Man Made Wonders in Mississippi.“
