18 Best Hikes In Mississippi: The Top-Rated Hiking Trails To Visit In 2023
Jasmine Vieau
Author
Discover 18 of the best hikes in Mississippi, showcasing the state’s top-rated hiking trails to explore in 2023. From scenic vistas to tranquil waterfalls, these trails offer a range of experiences for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Whether you seek a challenging venture or an easy hike through the wilderness, Mississippi’s hiking trails have something to offer for everyone. So grab your gear and get ready to take on a fun trek through the beautiful landscapes of The Magnolia State.
Best Hikes in Mississippi
The best hikes in Mississippi include Clark Creek Primitive Trail, Clark Creek Trail to Waterfall Trail, and Clark Creek Improved Trail. Experience stunning waterfalls, beautiful scenery, and well-maintained trails for an unforgettable outdoor adventure.
- Location: Woodville
- Mileage: 4.9-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Popular for birding, fishing, and hiking, Clark Creek Natural Area attracts many visitors year-round. Dogs are welcome on a leash, and a small entrance fee in cash (one-dollar bill increments) is required to access the beautiful trails.
The Clark Creek Primitive Trail is a scenic 4.9-mile loop featuring beautiful creeks and waterfalls. Enjoy this less-traveled trail with lots of shade via a well-maintained gravel path in Clark Creek Natural Area, with stairs for steep inclines and waterfalls. Pace yourself and have fun.
- Location: Woodville
- Mileage: 2.9-mile out-and-back trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: A popular hiking trail with an entrance fee in cash (one-dollar bill increments) supports trail maintenance.
Embark on the Clark Creek Trail to Waterfall Trail, a beautiful route with stunning water views, waterfalls, and unique rock colorations. Note that it can get hot in summer, and there might be muddy and water-filled sections. Be sure to bring clean water or a water filter for this moderately challenging trek.
- Location: Woodville
- Mileage: 2.8-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Clark Creek Natural Area: Popular for birding, hiking, and running year-round. Dogs welcome on a leash. Entrance fee in cash (one-dollar bill increments) supports trail upkeep.
Explore the Clark Creek Improved Trail, a 2.8-mile loop near Woodville, Mississippi. Moderately challenging but with easy access and well-maintained wide trails. Enjoy stunning waterfalls and use stairs for steep inclines and waterfall access. A beautiful hike with gravel walking paths.
Best Short & Easy Hikes in Mississippi
Are you searching for a quick and relaxing hike? For some great options, take a look at Bear Creek Outcropping Trail, Fontainebleau Nature Trail, and CCC Camp Trail. Enjoy pretty views, wildlife sightings, and trails perfect for all skill levels. These trails offer a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature if you’re short on time.
- Location: Dennis
- Mileage: 1.8-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Popular trail for hiking and rock climbing, with moments of solitude. Open year-round, dogs welcome on a leash.
Check out the Bear Creek Outcropping Trail, offering scenic views in the Appalachian foothills of Mississippi. Experience a unique landscape featuring massive rock formations and fern-filled crevices found nowhere else in the state. Enjoy the abundance of natural beauty on this unforgettable hike.
- Location: Ocean Springs
- Mileage: 1.5-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Great trail for birding, hiking, and mountain biking. Open year-round, dogs welcome on a leash.
Experience the Fontainebleau Nature Trail, a great starting point for hiking. While relatively easy, the trail does have some small inclines. You'll spot plenty of wildlife at either of the two outlooks, including fish and alligators in the bayou. Be sure to enjoy the beauty of this Ocean Springs nature trail if you're in the area.
- Location: Dennis
- Mileage: 0.5-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Popular trail for birding, hiking, and running with moments of solitude. Open year-round, dogs welcome on a leash.
Set out on the CCC Camp Trail, a half-mile loop offering stunning fall foliage in mid-October. Rated easy, the trail features rocks, a small creek crossing, and gentle elevation changes. Enjoy the scenery of this short and accessible trail.
Hardest Hikes in Mississippi
Mississippi offers some challenging hikes for avid hikers. Three of the hardest hikes in Mississippi are the Witch Dance Horse Trail, Brushy Creek Waterfall, and Tuxachanie Trail: HWY 49 to Airey Lake. These trails offer a unique and exciting experience that will test your endurance and hiking skills. However, the views and natural beauty are worth the effort.
- Location: Houston
- Mileage: 9.1-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Ideal for camping, hiking, and horseback riding, enjoy seclusion on this year-round open trail. Leashed dogs welcome.
Discover the Witch Dance Horse Trail, a 9.1-mile loop near Houston, Mississippi. Moderately challenging and remote, it offers a fun experience for camping, hiking, and horseback riding. You'll likely encounter more horse riders than hikers along this challenging route.
- Location: Crosby
- Mileage: 11.1-mile out-and-back trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Enjoy birding, hiking, and walking on this popular trail. Find quiet moments during off-peak times. Best visited from April to September.
Hidden within the vast Homochitto National Forest, the untamed beauty of Brushy Creek Waterfall awaits. Set out on an invigorating 11.1-mile out-and-back expedition, venturing into a realm of rugged wilderness. This remote and quiet trail promises a blood-pumping sweat, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
- Location: Saucier
- Mileage: 12.4-mile out-and-back trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Ideal for backpacking and hiking with minimal crowds.
Looking for a fun hike? Check out the Tuxachanie Trail in De Soto National Forest. It's a 2.4-mile out-and-back trail that's moderately challenging but totally doable. The route is well-marked, and you'll get to cross some creeks by balancing on logs, which is pretty exciting. Plus, the forest is absolutely beautiful, so it's a great adventure to embark on to work up a sweat.
Best Waterfront Hikes in Mississippi
Mississippi offers some of the best waterfront hikes in the country. The Bonita Lakes Trail is a popular choice with its excellent views of the lake. The Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail is another great option, offering a mix of forest and waterfront scenery. And for those who crave a challenge, the Saddleback Ridge and Flatrock Trail is a must-try with its steep climbs and rewarding views.
- Location: Meridian
- Mileage: 7.6-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Popular for birding, fishing, and hiking. Open year-round, beautiful anytime. Note: No pets at the start near the reservoir, leashed pets are allowed in other park sections.
Bonita Lakes Trail is a 7.6-mile loop offering a pleasant mix of woods, road walks, and scenic lake views with moderate elevation gain and loss throughout the trail. Located right in the city, this trail provides a great outdoor escape.
- Location: Madison
- Mileage: 21.2-mile out-and-back trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Popular for road biking, running, and walking. Open year-round, beautiful anytime. Leashed dogs welcome.
Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail is a picturesque hilly trail featuring asphalt surfaces, ideal for biking and walking. It offers accessibility for visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers. Located in the heart of Ridgeland, this fantastic trail is heavily trafficked but spacious enough for all users. Enjoy multiple access points and side journeys along the way.
- Location: Tishomingo
- Mileage: 2.9-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Perfect for fishing, hiking, and rock climbing. Few crowds, open year-round. Dogs welcome on a leash.
Explore the scenic Saddleback Ridge/Flat Rock Trail, a combination of two trails offering rocky outcrops, springs, and wildlife sightings. This trail showcases the spectacular Tishomingo State Park, rich in history and unique landscapes with massive rock formations and fern-filled crevices. Discover the timeless natural beauty that has captivated visitors for centuries.
Best Winter Hikes in Mississippi
If you’re looking for some great winter hikes in Mississippi, be sure to check out the Oscar Trail, McLeod State Park Nature Trail, and Confederate Siege Lines Trail. These trails offer an excellent opportunity to explore the winter landscape of Mississippi during the chilly season.
- Location: Gautier
- Mileage: 1.8-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Ideal for hiking, secluded experience. Shepard State Park entry fee required.
Hike the Oscar Trail in Shepard State Park, a 1.8-mile loop - with views of the marsh. It's a moderately challenging route, perfect for hiking enthusiasts and birders, with plenty of opportunities to spot some wildlife.
- Location: Kiln
- Mileage: 1.3-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Popular trail for birding, hiking, and walking. Dogs allowed on leash. Car entrance fee to park. Remember bug spray in spring and early summer.
Check out the hidden gem of McLeod Park in Hancock County, MS. For a small entrance fee, explore a well-maintained trail through a mixed hardwood forest and bayhead swamp. Learn about local trees and enjoy sandy river lookouts for wildlife spotting. McLeod Park offers playgrounds, canoe rentals, fishing, hiking, camping, and more.
- Location: Corinth
- Mileage: 3.5-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Hiking trail with little crowds.
If you're looking for a nice little walk, we recommend checking out this 3.5-mile loop near Corinth, Mississippi. It's easy to navigate and takes you through some beautiful wooded areas. The trail is mostly gravel, but there are some overgrown dirt paths to keep things interesting. Along the way, you'll come across some platforms with informal signs that are pretty cool to check out. Whether you're walking, running, or biking, this trail is perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities.
Best Hikes near Jackson
Looking for the best hikes near Jackson? Check out Lefleurs Bluff Purple and Red Trail, Buddy Butts Park Loop, and Parham Bridges Loop. These trails offer a variety of views, from lush woodlands to lovely park loops, providing enjoyable times for hikers of all levels.
- Location: Jackson
- Mileage: 2.4-mile out-and-back trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Birding and hiking trail with little crowds.
Explore the 2.4-mile Lefleurs Bluff Purple and Red Trail at LeFleur's Bluff State Park in Jackson, Mississippi. An easy route with shady sections and beautiful swampy views along the Pearl River. Trail leads to a nature museum, featuring bridges and scenic stops.
- Location: Jackson
- Mileage: 5.0-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Trails ideal for birding, hiking, and biking with solitude.
The Buddy Butts Park Loop in Jackson, Mississippi, is moderately challenging and popular among mountain bikers, hikers, and runners. The route is a fantastic outdoor destination with lots to do.
- Location: Jackson
- Mileage: 0.6-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Trail perfect for road biking, trail runs, and walking with few crowds. Leashed dogs welcome.
If you're in the Jackson, Mississippi area, explore the easy 0.6-mile Parham Bridges Loop in Parham Bridges' Park. A quick and enjoyable walk around the park, perfect for a stroll.
Have you had the chance to explore any of the hiking trails in Mississippi? If so, do you think any stand out as the best for Mississippi hiking? We’re curious to hear your thoughts on the best hiking trails in Mississippi, so share your recommendations with us!
Whether you’re looking for a challenging trek in pine forests with access to campsites or a scenic trail full of wetlands and wildflowers, this hub has everything you’ll need, and be sure to Try AllTrails+ For Free!
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More to Explore
The Best Hikes In Mississippi
Does Mississippi have good hiking trails?
Mississippi's best hiking trails include:
- Natchez Trace Parkway via Old Town Overlook
- Natchez Trace: Blackland Prairie Trail Section
- Longleaf Trace Trail
- Gulf Islands National Seashore: Davis Bayou Area
What are the best months to hike in Mississippi?
The beauty of hiking in Mississippi is that it can be enjoyed year-round thanks to the generally temperate weather. While it's most popular during the spring and summer months, there's never a bad time to hit the trails and explore the great outdoors. No matter when or where you decide to go, you're sure to have an excellent time.