The Underrated Rocky Springs Trail In Mississippi Leads To An Abandoned Town

Sprawling across three states and covering 444 miles, the Natchez Trace Trail is full of epic trails to explore. The Rocky Springs section of the trail is a hidden gem of a trail that leads to a long-forgotten town, and it’s worth checking out. Lace up your boots, this trail in Mississippi is not a flip-flip type of trail.

Carl Sonnier/All Trails

It’s located at milepost 54.8 and is rated as a moderately difficult trail. It’s nothing too strenuous, but there are some ravines and steep sections that bump this trail up a notch on the difficulty scale.

Carl Sonnier/All Trails

There used to be a stream, called rocky spring, that ran through the area. Unfortunately, that stream dried up many years ago, but don't worry, this trail still includes a water feature.

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Carl Sonnier/All Trails

If you can time your hike after a rainfall, you'll be able to see the waterfall at its full potential.

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Miranda Tomb/Google

...or rather, what's left of it. The town of Rocky Springs was settled around 1790 and thrived for about 100 years. By 1860, the town had over 2,500 residents and seemed like it was well on its way to becoming a major city for Mississippi.

Matthew Martin/Google

Many of the crops and buildings were destroyed during the Civil War. Following that, the town was hit by the Yellow Fever epidemic, which claimed the lives of many townspeople. The final blow was an infestation of boll weevils which destroyed what was left of the cotton farms.

Miranda Tomb/Google

The church and the cemetery are the only things that remain, along with fractured remnants here and there, like a rusted safe from the post office and a cistern.

Regina Blackman/Google

The trail is about six miles long, so even though it can be hiked in an afternoon, you may be tempted to extend your stay and spend a night sleeping under the stars.

Visit the National Park Service website for more information about the trail, and check out the Rocky Springs Campground website for rates and availability for camping opportunities. For more outdoor adventures, check out these abandoned places in Mississippi.