You'll Love This One Awesome Activity In Mississippi And It Won't Cost You A Cent
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published February 01, 2018
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
Discovering a state attraction that you had no idea even existed is always exciting. It’s even more exciting when you find out that it’s FREE. Luckily, Mississippi is full of things to do that don’t require opening your wallet. However, of all the free activities you’ll find in Mississippi, there’s one that shouldn’t be missed. Take a look:
The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, which is located in Gautier, offers "safari" tours, incredible hiking, and more. Even better, it's all FREE!
One of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the rare cranes is with a Fall/Winter Crane Tour. Free of charge, the 2-hour guided tour will take you through the refuge in search of its elusive inhabitants.
Don't forget to wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing. Even though you’ll be riding in a vehicle for most of the tour, some walking or climbing may be necessary in order to catch a glimpse of the cranes.
For those who’d rather explore the refuge on their own, there are two hiking trails. The C.L. Dees Nature Trail, which can be easily accessed from the parking lot at the Visitor Center, is a ¾-mile loop trail.
The only place you can get up close and personal with North America’s rarest bird (and for FREE no less), this Gautier gem should be on everyone’s bucket list!
Visit the Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR at 7200 Crane Lane in Gautier. Check out the refuge’s website or Facebook page for more information.
Have you ever visited the Sandhill Crane Refuge? Did you take the guided tour? Hike any of the trails? If so, tell us about your experience in the comments section!
