Take This Unforgettable Road Trip To 5 Of Mississippi’s Least-Visited National Parks
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Vicksburg National Military Park and the Natchez Trace Parkway are two of the most popular NPS-designated sites in Mississippi; however, they’re not the only ones. There are a handful of others, and we mapped out a route straight to them.
Davis Bayou Area Gulf Islands National Seashore, 3500 Park Rd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, USA
Spanning two states, the Gulf Islands National Seashore is located in Mississippi and Florida. Most of the seashore is located miles offshore; however, the Davis Bayou Area in Ocean Springs is accessible to landlubbers and offers lots of recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy hiking, wildlife-viewing, biking, fishing, camping, picnicking, and ranger-led programs.
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Natchez National Historical Park, Melrose Montebello Pkwy, Natchez, MS 39120, USA
This unique park tells the story of Natchez and the American South. Bringing history to life, it’s made up of five separate sites - Forks of the Road, Fort Rosalie, Melrose, the William Johnson House, the Natchez Visitor Center, and a larger area known as the preservation district.
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Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, 2332 Margaret W Alexander Dr, Jackson, MS 39213, USA
The newest national park in Mississippi, this monument became a part of the NPS in November 2020. Not only is it the former home of Civil Rights activists Medgar and Myrlie Evers, but it’s also where Medgar Evers was assassinated on June 12, 1963. The assassination marked the first murder of a nationally significant leader of the Civil Rights Movement and, ultimately, served as a catalyst for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Tupelo National Battlefield, 2005 W Main St, Tupelo, MS 38801, USA
History comes to life at this national battlefield, which commemorates the 1864 Battle of Tupelo. The one-acre site isn’t huge, making the fact that 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers met in battle at the site difficult to imagine. To make the most of your time at the battlefield, stop by the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center before you visit. It’s located just six miles from the battlefield at milepost 266 and is staffed with rangers who can provide info about the site as provide informative brochures.
128 MS-370, Baldwyn, MS 38824, USA
Exemplifying the old military expression, "Winning a battle but losing the war," this NPS site commemorates the 1864 Battle of Brices Crossroads, during which the Confederate Army defeated a much larger Union Army, securing supply lines between Nashville and Chattanooga, Tennessee. The long-term effects of the battle ultimately proved costly for the Confederate Army. Today, visitors can learn all about the historic battle by strolling through the battlefield or by going on a battlefield driving tour.
For more info on these parks as well as the rest of the national parks in Mississippi, visit the NPS website.
If you enjoyed this, make sure to check out these lesser-known state parks in Mississippi.
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