There’s A Hiking Trail Right Next To A Petting Zoo In Mississippi, Making For A Fun-Filled Family Outing

When it comes to family day trips in Mississippi, who says you’ve got to pick just one destination? Not us! In fact, we think the only thing better than visiting one great attraction is visiting two great attractions. If you agree, you’re going to love the petting zoo and hiking trail featured below. They’re practically right next to each other, making for one of the most action-packed family day trips in Mississippi.

Wild Acres, a petting zoo, and the Tuxachanie Trail, a national hiking trail that leads to an abandoned POW camp, are two Gulf Coast gems that happen to be just minutes apart.

Each destination is great on its own; however, they’re even better when visited together!

Not your typical petting zoo, Wild Acres is billed as “a wildlife hands-on discovery park” that specializes in exotic animal adventures.

Visitors can enjoy all sorts of one-on-one animal encounters – from holding a baby kangaroo and hand-feeding porcupines to posing for pictures with a sloth and playing with otters.

It should be noted: Wild Acres is open by appointment only.

At first, the "appointment only" thing might seem like a nuisance; however, it’s actually a huge perk because it means you know what time you’ll depart from Wild Acres, and that means you can ensure you have time to visit the nearby Tuxachanie Trail.

Just like Wild Acres is not your typical petting zoo, the Tuxachanie Trail isn’t your typical hiking trail.

For starters, it’s a national hiking trail. And then, there’s the variety of vegetation found along the trail.

In addition to dense forests, the 11.9-mile trail winds through plains, savannas, swamps, and fields of pitcher plants and palmettos.

The natural features of the trail are just the beginning of what it has to offer, though. It’s brimming with history too.

Not only does the first portion of the trail follow an abandoned railroad once used by the Dantzler Lumber Company, but it winds past an abandoned POW camp.

At nearly 12 miles, the Tuxachanie Trail is on the long side. However, there are several trailheads, so you don’t have to hike the entire trail.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to embark on one of the best family day trips in Mississippi? Remember, Wild Acres is open by appointment only. For more information, check out the Wild Acres website. Prefer to speak with someone? Call Wild Acres at (228) 209-9436 or send an email to [email protected]. Want to know more about the Tuxachanie Trail? Visit the USDA website.

Looking for more ideas for family day trips in Mississippi? Then you'll love this unique park in Mississippi.