The Ancient Forest In Mississippi That’s Right Out Of A Storybook

Mississippi is full of picture-perfect places. And the state’s stunning beauty surely wasn't lost on William Faulkner. The acclaimed author and former Mississippi resident drew inspiration for his stories from his surroundings. One spot in particular, Bailey’s Woods, is said to have especially inspired him. Full of enchantment, the forested area is straight from a storybook (literally). Even better, it's grown to include a trail, so you can walk along the same path as Faulkner himself. Take a look:

Bailey’s Woods is located in the heart Oxford. Perfectly secluded, the wooded area encompasses 30 acres – every last bit of which is full of lush greenery and beautiful flora.

Many years ago, William Faulkner carved a path through these very woods so that he could easily travel back and forth between his home, Rowan Oak, and the Ole Miss campus.

It’s said that he drew much inspiration from the woods when creating the fictional county, Yoknapatawpha County, which was a setting in many of his books.

In 2008, Faulkner’s path was revived. Dubbed Bailey’s Woods Trail, it stretches from the University Museum at Ole Miss through the woods to Rowan Oak.

Stretching 3,000’, it takes about 20 minutes to complete. The trail is open to hikers (and their pets) year-round from dawn to dusk.

The trail has an elevation gain of 111’, but don’t worry. It’s an improved trail, so there are stairs and several bridges to make navigation a breeze.

Truly one-of-a-kind, the wooded path allows visitors to walk in Faulkner’s footsteps and take in the sites that inspired him so much.

Along the way, Faulkner fans will be delighted to find a great deal of flora mentioned in the legendary author’s books.

Practically overflowing with natural beauty, it’s easy to see why Bailey’s Woods appealed to Faulkner so much.

Remember, there are great sites on either end of the trail - University Museum and Rowan Oak. Plan your hike accordingly so you can fit in a visit to one (or both) of them.

Both the museum and the grounds of Rowan Oak are FREE to visit.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The grounds of Rowan Oak are open daily from dawn ‘til dusk.

Loaded with just as much history and enchantment as Bailey’s Woods, the expansive grounds of Rowan Oak are definitely worth exploring.

For only $5, you can step inside Rowan Oak for an informative tour.

Rowan Oak is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Please note, during the summer (June 1st - August 1st), it’s open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Whether you're a history buff, literary lover, avid hiker, or someone just looking for a great day-trip destination, Bailey's Woods has got you covered.

For more information on Bailey’s Woods Trail and the museum, visit the University Museum website or call (662) 915-7073. To find out more about Rowan Oak, check out the home's website.

So, ever been to Bailey’s Woods? What about Rowan Oak? Know of another place that could be straight from of a storybook? Tell us in the comments section.

This isn’t the only enchanting spot in the Magnolia State! Learn about another here.