The Incredible Flower Road Trip Through Mississippi Is The Ultimate Spring Adventure
By Jackie Ann|Published April 14, 2024
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Jackie Ann
Author
Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
Spring has sprung, y’all! My favorite season has officially arrived, and we’ve designed this flower road trip in Mississippi to celebrate! Gas up the car, get those playlists ready and don’t forget to pack some epic road trip snacks.
This road trip takes you to some of our favorite parks, gardens, and arboretums across the Magnolia State. Take your time with this one… go ahead and stop and smell the flowers!
From point to point, this flower road trip in Mississippi will take about five hours to complete. Of course, you'll want to allow plenty of time to stop at each destination and enjoy the scenery.
Our first stop brings us to the Mississippi State campus to enjoy the beautiful blooms at the Mississippi State Trial Gardens. This quiet little area is the perfect first stop, and trust me, it only gets better from here.
Onward we roll! The Ross R. Barnett Reservoir is a picture-perfect place to spend a day year-round, but it’s especially magical in the springtime. The Reservoir Botanical Gardens sits alongside the Rez and has a lovely .6-mile trail that’s free to use and open all year.
Don’t get too comfy in the car, because the Simmons Arboretum is less than 10 miles away. This 10-acre arboretum boasts about a mile of nature trails to explore and dreamy scenery with every step.
4. Mynelle Gardens
Mynelle Gardens Arboretum & Botanical Center, 4736 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, MS 39209, USA
You’ll find Mynelle Gardens about 15 miles south of the reservoir. A bit of a hidden gem in Jackson, Mynelle Gardens offers seven acres of botanical gardens to enjoy. It’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped into a Monet painting as you’re wandering along the paths, it’s that beautiful. The azaleas and camellias explode with color during this time of year!
Our final destination brings us all the way down to Southern Mississi’s beautiful Crosby Arboretum. The largest arboretum on this list clocks in at 64 acres and is home to more than 300 species of native plants to admire. This is one attraction you’ll want to make sure you have enough time to properly visit because there are multiple ecosystems at the Crosby Arboretum including pine forests, hardwood swamps, and savannas. One of the coolest plants at the arboretum is the pitcher plant! This carnivorous plant is native to Mississippi and the arboretum is one of the best places to see them. They are endangered, but thanks to places like this, they’re slowly making a comeback.
Planning on taking this flower road trip in Mississippi? Tell us about it in the comments!
There’s no better time of year than springtime to hit the trails. Check out the best hiking trails in Mississippi and start filling your weekends with adventure. Don’t forget an AllTrails + account!
Read on to discover some of our favorite state parks in Mississippi. You’ll also find some precious blooms in these parks, too!
