The Mississippi Ghost Town That’s Perfect For An Autumn Day Trip

Nothing says fall like colorful foliage and creepy activities. Luckily, there’s a place in Mississippi where you can indulge in both – and it’s the ghost town of Rocky Springs. The long-abandoned town is a great visit year-round, but it's even better in autumn, when the temperatures have dropped and the foliage is plentiful. What’s more, some of the state’s top leaf-peeping sites are nearby, so you can extend your adventure beyond Rocky Springs.

The ghost town of Rocky Springs is located on the Natchez Trace Parkway at milepost 54.8.

As one of the "top 30 favorite sites" on the Natchez Trace Parkway, it’s definitely bucket-list worthy.

With a picnic area, restrooms, and a trail that winds through the now-abandoned town, Rocky Springs is a great place for a fall day trip.

Short, easy to traverse, and well-marked, the path through Rocky Springs is suitable for everyone from amateur hikers and avid trekkers.

Informative signs dot the trail, making it easy to learn about Rocky Springs as you go.

Today, there’s not much to Rocky Springs.

A church, cemetery, two rusted safes, and a few cisterns are all that remain of this Mississippi ghost town, which was first settled in the 1790s.

Rocky Springs wasn’t always so sparse, though. During its heyday in 1860, Rocky Springs was a prosperous community with over 2,500 residents. The town spanned roughly 25 square miles and included a church, post office, Masonic Lodge, and possibly a school.

According to the National Park Service, Rocky Springs is a top spot to enjoy foliage on the Natchez Trace Parkway, making fall the perfect time to plan a visit.

It’s not the only site the NPS recommends for leaf-peeping, though. Little Mountain Overlook, which is at milepost 193.1, is also revered for its seasonal foliage. But of course, you can find vibrant foliage along the entire length of the famous parkway.

Visitors usually spend between 10 and 45 minutes at Rocky Springs, which means you'll have plenty of time to explore other sites on the parkway.

For more information on Rocky Springs, visit the National Park Service website.

So, did you know about this ghost town in Mississippi? Ever visited Rocky Springs? If so, what’d you think? Did you check out any other sites along the Natchez Trace during your visit? Tell us!

This is just one of the ghost towns in Mississippi. There are actually several others. Click here to read about eight eerie ghost towns in Mississippi.