The Biggest Surprise I Came Across While Hiking This Incredible Trail in Mississippi

I love getting outdoors and exploring the hiking trails in Mississippi, but it’s incredibly difficult to find the motivation in the summer. It’s just too darn hot, y’all. Thankfully, everything is temporary—even the heat! Even with these scorching temps, I make an effort to find a hiking trail that checks off all my boxes. This particular trail in Mississippi is a great hike and won’t take up too much of your day. 

Wall Doxey State Park is a tiny but mighty state park in Holly Springs, Mississippi. At 20 acres, its crown jewel is the 60-acre lake it is centered around. 

Spring Lake is well-stocked for anglers hoping to reel in a prized bluegill, channel catfish, or largemouth bass. Fishing licenses can be purchased at the park office (required for everyone between the ages of 16 and 65).

For land lovers, an 18-hole disc golf course is a great way to spend the day. I’ve never been that great at disc golf, so I stick to the nature trail at Wall Doxey State Park.

The 2.5-mile loop trail takes you all around Spring Lake, giving you splendid waterfront views almost every step of the way. 

It’s an easy trail (it is Mississippi, after all), although there are some stairs. You won’t be dealing with crazy elevation gains like our friends in northern states, though!

I love waterfront trails, even more so when they’re shaded. I just can’t deal with two hours of direct sunlight this time of year! The majority of this trail is shaded, which is what drew me to the trail in the first place. I was grateful for the natural shade from the canopies up above. 

Birdwaters will enjoy this trail, too! From the songbirds in the trees to the ducks in the water, it seems like there’s always a feathered friend within eyesight. I could sit and watch birds for an embarrassing amount of time—one of the mile markers of age, I suppose. 

I was surprised at how peaceful the trail was. It’s such a scenic trail, and (in my opinion) it’s the perfect length. Sure, you could make the loop twice if you want, but I found one lap was plenty. It’s kid-friendly (not stroller-friendly), pet-friendly, and a great spot to spend an hour or two immersed in nature. 

Most visit the park for the day, but there are several ways to stay longer. An RV campground, tent campsites, and cabins are available should you want to spend a weekend at Wall Doxey State Park. This is an excellent option for the upcoming football season! Ole Miss is less than 30 minutes away, and we all know how wonderful it is to go camping in the fall. 

As with most state parks in Mississippi, the entrance fee is $2.00 per person (kids five and under are free). Visit the official website for Wall Doxey State Park to learn more. Share this article with someone you want to check out this waterfront trail in Mississippi with!

For more outdoor adventures, check out our picks for the best hiking trails in Mississippi.