The best natural wonders in Mississippi span a diverse range of landscapes that might surprise even the most experienced travelers. We’ve rounded up the Magnolia State’s must-see nature throughout its dense forests, rolling hills, beautiful beaches, and iconic waters.

Best Canyons In Mississippi

For the most part, Mississippi’s topography and geology do not have the right ingredients for canyon carving. And yet, as often is the case here, there are a couple of interesting and notable exceptions.

1. Red Bluff

Location: Marion County, MS

Wow Factor: Mississippi’s Grand Canyon

Cost: Free

Mississippi's Red Bluff, located near Morgantown, is a geological marvel often dubbed the "Little Grand Canyon." Stretching over a mile and rising 400 feet, it features colorful sediment layers exposed by the Pearl River's erosion. A moderately difficult trail leads to the canyon's base and takes half an hour to an hour to hike.

2. Sunken Trace

Location: Port Gibson, MS

Wow Factor: Experiencing the weight of history with every step

Cost: Free

This one is not at all a canyon but a notable gully, and a historic one at that. Man and nature actually worked together to create the Sunken Trace, which is located at milepost 41.5 on the Natchez Trace Parkway. The Natchez Trace stretches from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. It follows a historic travel and trade route first used by Native Americans, and later by European settlers and traders. The Sunken Trace was once part of the original path, which, over time, became a 10-foot-deep gully carved by all of the traffic. This particular part of the path sits on sandy soil called loess, which erodes easily.

Best Caves In Mississippi

While there are a handful of natural caves in Mississippi, it’s not quite a spelunker’s paradise. That said, we do have one that’s easy to see and worth a peek.

3. Cave Spring

Location: Tishomingo

Wow Factor: Connect to almost 10,000 years of human history

Cost: Free

Look for Cave Spring on the Natchez Trace Parkway at milepost 308.4, near Tishomingo. Take the short, paved trail, and in less than five minutes you will find what used to be the cave’s mouth. The cavern collapsed, making the cave inaccessible, however, it once provided shelter and a water source to people as far back as 7,000 BCE, according to the National Park Service.

Best Waterfalls In Mississippi

No matter the size, waterfalls always seem to bring joy and wonder when we happen upon them. The soothing sound of rushing water clears the mind and reduces stress, and the cool mist refreshes and energizes. Here’s our top destination for seeing waterfalls in Mississippi, and see our extended list for more of the state’s best waterfalls.

4. Clark Creek Natural Area

Location: Woodville, MS

Wow Factor: A large concentration of waterfalls

Clark Creek Natural Area in Woodville is a waterfall haven with over 50 falls, ranging from 10 to 30 feet in height, scattered and sparkling across its 700-acre expanse. Some falls create inviting swimming holes, which are particularly refreshing during hot and humid summer hikes. The recreation area's hiking trails, both primitive and improved, lead to most of the falls, but not all are easily accessible. Hikers should reference the park’s online map to locate the various cascades throughout the area.

Best Overlooks & Scenic Vistas In Mississippi

Mississippi has many scenic spots, perhaps most notably along the Natchez Trace and its many overlooks. The route is especially popular among the biking community for its slow pace and stunning scenery. Meanwhile, here are a couple of other destinations that offer awe-inspiring views you won’t find anywhere else.

5. Natchez on the Bluff

Location: Natchez, MS

Wow Factor: Unparalleled views of the Mighty Mississippi

The Natchez Bluff is beautiful, historical, and culturally rich. The state owes its existence to Natchez, its oldest city. And the city owes its existence to this strategic view of the Mississippi River, which has attracted people throughout history – Native Americans, French, Spanish, English, and Americans. The best way to experience the bluff is to walk the Natchez Bluff Trail, which offers a scenic path atop the bluff, showcasing the river. It extends across a Bridge of Sighs, which was added in 2015. It then drops down a 200-foot staircase, where the path continues to the Under-the-Hill Historic District. Interpretive panels along the entire trail offer insights into the city’s rich history. The city surrendered early to the Union during the Civil War and therefore much of its original architecture is preserved.

6. Buttercup Flats

Location: Wiggins, MS

Wow Factor: One of the largest pitcher plant bogs in the world

Cost: Free

Located in the DeSoto National Forest in South Mississippi, about 40 miles northeast of Biloxi, Buttercup Flats is one of the largest wetlands in the Southeast and has one of the largest concentrations of pitcher plants in the world. This expansive bog is teeming with these carnivorous plants and others. Besides their special ability to trap and digest insects, they’re unusually beautiful, especially when flowering together in masses like these. The forest’s diverse habitats support a wide variety of animals, with the most common being white-tailed deer and American alligators.

Best Islands Of Mississippi

The state’s coastal islands deserve to be singled out. While there are numerous lovely beach towns, the islands are must-see nature in Mississippi. Plus, they offer especially tranquil scenes with a touch of adventure.

7. Deer Island

Location: Biloxi, MS

Wow Factor: Camping on a pristine “deserted” island not far from shore

Cost: Free, if you own or book a boat

Deer Island is a 400-acre natural gem with 17 miles of unblemished beaches. It lies just a quarter mile (and a quick paddle) off Biloxi's coast. Home to 10 endangered species, it's also a spectacular spot for birding. Look for a variety of shorebirds and nesting ospreys. You can only get there by boat, and the small pier is the only thing that has been developed there. It’s a hot spot for kayakers to camp, especially on weekends.

8. Gulf Islands National Seashore

Location: Ocean Springs, MS

Wow Factor: Incredible wildlife and natural beauty along the Gulf Coast

Cost: Free, if you own or book a boat

Gulf Islands National Seashore spans 135,000 acres across Mississippi and Florida's Gulf barrier islands. The best place to learn about the seashore is the only portion you can reach by car, which is the Davis Bayou Area in Ocean Springs. A visitors center there offers insights into the seashore’s many ecosystems, wildlife, and conservation efforts, including the wildlife refuges. You can also learn about each of the Mississippi islands within the seashore, which include Cat, Horn, Petit Bois, West Petit Bois, and Ship Island. They’re all reachable by boat, and backcountry camping is permitted on Petit Bois, West Petit Bois, Horn Islands, and the NPS-owned section of Cat Island.

Best Rock Formations In Mississippi

Exploring rock formations is a great way to connect with the Earth's history and have a little adventure along the way. Lucky for you, some of the best nature spots in Mississippi are rock formations of vastly different types. While one offers clues about ancient ecosystems, another reveals the artwork of wind and water erosion. You’ll learn that each is unique, with its own story to tell.

9. Tishomingo State Park

Location: Tishomingo, MS

Wow Factor: Mississippi’s only mountain-like terrain

Cost: Day-use entrance fees are $4 per car with six or fewer passengers and 50 cents for each additional person beyond six. Fees vary for campgrounds.

Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the 1,530-acre Tishomingo State Park features unique rock formations you cannot find anywhere else in Mississippi. That’s because it's in the furthest western foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The rugged terrain includes rocky creeks, streams, and massive outcroppings. Rock climbers favor Bear Creek Canyon with its large sandstone ledges, while seven trails offer exploration of the entire park.

10. Petrified Forest

Location: Flora, MS

Wow Factor: One of the only petrified forests in the US

Cost: $7 per person; $6 discounted rate for seniors or students in first grade through senior high school; $5 per person in groups of 15 or more

The privately owned Petrified Forest, a rare gem in America, is located in Flora, about 30 minutes north of Jackson. Designated as a National Natural Landmark, the forest is open to the public, with hours that vary slightly with the season. The stone trees, formed over millions of years, originated from a series of floods along with sand and silt deposits. Naturalists estimate many of the trees to have been over 100 feet tall and 1,000 years old before they fell and became petrified over time. A paved nature trail weaves through the forest of fallen giants.

11. Loess Bluff

Location: Natchez, MS

Wow Factor: Ice Age bluff formation

Cost: Free

The Loess Bluff, located at milepost 12.4 on the Natchez Trace Parkway, showcases a deep deposit of loess (hence the name). Loess is windblown topsoil that formed when glaciers towered over the northern US during the Ice Age. Dust storms continually delivered this soil from the west, and it accumulated into layers of 30 to 90 feet atop existing sand and clay. Erosion exposed this bluff, giving us a good cross-section of the land’s composition.

Unique Natural Wonders In Mississippi

Some of our best nature spots in Mississippi are the most unusual and tough to categorize. You’ll find them from one end of the state to the other, stretched out like the roots of a magnolia tree.

12. Black Creek

Location: Brooklyn, MS

Wow Factor: Mississippi’s only designated National Wild and Scenic River

Cost: Free

Black Creek, a tributary of the unimpeded Pascagoula River, flows through the DeSoto National Forest's Black Creek Wilderness. It’s the state’s only National Wild And Scenic River and offers the eye a study in contrasts. The river is named for its dark water, a color caused by tannins within decaying vegetation. It’s a striking juxtaposition against white sandbars and brightly colored bluffs. The striking visuals create a beautiful backdrop for hiking, paddling, camping, and just relaxing.

13. Sky Lake Wildlife Management Area

Location: Belzoni, MS

Wow Factor: Walking among some of the world’s largest and oldest cypress trees

Cost: Free

Some of the largest and oldest bald cypress trees loom over the 3,500-acre Sky Lake Wildlife Management Area. Among these towering giants is one that measures 47 feet around. Some are over 1,000 years old. Accessible via a boardwalk and a paddling trail, this ancient forest is open year-round, offering a unique opportunity to experience the grandeur of these ancient trees in a natural setting.

14. Greenville Cypress Preserve

Location: Greenville, MS

Wow Factor: Small but mighty cypress forest

Cost: Free

Another beautiful boardwalk adventure for nature lovers in Mississippi’s bottomlands,

Greenville Cypress Preserve, is open daily, from dawn to dusk. The 16-acre cypress forest has two primary trails. There is the original, quarter-mile Meadow Trail that has a crushed limestone surface. A second trail system was added in 2010 featuring two boardwalk bridges crossing the north and south parts of the cypress brakes. That project also added another one-third mile, crushed-rock trail system that connects to the Meadow Trail. Through it all, expect to enjoy wildflowers, wood duck nesting boxes, and peaceful places to rest.

15. Bogue Chitto River

Location: Tylertown, MS

Wow Factor: Sublime float trips

Cost: Free if you have a boat.

Prices for float trips vary by choice of tube, canoe, kayak, and trip length. The tranquil Bogue Chitto River begins in Mississippi, flowing south into Louisiana, offering paddlers extensive river miles amidst serene surroundings. Meandering through heavily wooded terrain with white sand and gravel bars, the river draws thousands of folks every summer for paddling and tubing adventures. There are a couple of outfitters who offer rentals for tubs, kayaks, and canoes as part of float trips of varying durations.

Did we cover the best of the best natural attractions in Mississippi? Let us know any you’d add! These would be an excellent framework for a spectacular Mississippi road trip! If you go for it, be sure to consult our Ultimate Road Trip Essentials for a well-prepared adventure.