Find 5 Bucket-List-Level Views in Mississippi Without Needing to Be an Expert Hiker

Since Mississippi is a relatively flat state, you can get some bucket list views without having to be an expert hiker. From cypress swamps to mountaintop views, here are five bucket list views in Mississippi that are all easy enough for beginner hikers.

Red Bluff

Often referred to as Mississippi’s Grand Canyon, Red Bluff feels like an otherworldly place for Mississippi. Known for its bold red and orange colors, this unique landscape was actually formed by the Pearl River, which flows nearby. The loop trail to Red Bluff is about a mile long, but you could easily spend an hour or two exploring the area. I’d highly recommend bringing an extra pair of shoes to drive home in, and maybe sacrifice a bottle of water to clean off the shoes you wear into the canyon—that clay gets stuck on your boots if it recently rained. 

Bonita Lakes Trail

I love a scenic waterfront trail, and so do the folks in Meridian, because the Bonita Lakes Trail is one of the most popular trails in Mississippi. This loop trail clocks in under eight miles, but you certainly don’t have to tackle the entire trail in one go. This is the perfect trail to catch up on your favorite podcast or audiobook.

Natchez Trace Parkway: Cypress Swamp

If I see a boardwalk trail, I’m completing that side quest. Boardwalk trails are some of my favorite types of trails because they allow you access to an area you’d typically need a boat for. As a NOLA native, cypress swamps have a piece of my soul, and this dreamy walk through the bald cypress and water tupelo trees is a picture-perfect way to spend an hour. The loop trail is right at half a mile, and depending on the time of year you visit, you might even spot some alligators sunbathing. 

Wall Doxey Trail

Located within Wall Doxey State Park, this scenic trail is another waterfront trail that offers beautiful views every step of the way. The two-mile loop trail has some incline, but overall, there’s about 80 feet of elevation gain, which is manageable for most. It’s a great trail for anyone looking to get into wildlife photography, and if you hang out in a spot long enough, you’re sure to catch a bird swooping over the lake for a tasty snack.

Woodall Mountain

This one might get me into trouble, because it’s technically not a trail. It’s a gravel road that will take you to the highest point in Mississippi, Woodall Mountain. From here, you’ll be standing at 806 feet above sea level and officially on the highest natural point in the state. A fun little bucket list for those looking to snag the very highest point in the country, and an easy one since it doesn’t involve hiking. This is one spot I would recommend visiting during the winter, that way you can see through the trees and catch the views while you’re up there.

Planning on adding any of these bucket list views in Mississippi to your hiking itinerary? Share this article with someone you want to tackle these trails with!

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.