This Hike Takes You To A Place Mississippi's First Residents Left Behind
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published May 22, 2019
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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.
Mississippi is home to some great hiking trails, but the Rocky Springs Trail has got to be one of the best. Not only does it include beautiful natural sites, but it leads straight to the remnants of an abandoned town. The best part is, the trail is nice and short, so it’s perfect for all ages and skill levels. Take a look:
Located right off the Natchez Trace Parkway, the Rocky Springs Trail is incredibly easy to access.
Exit the parkway at milepost 54.8, and the first thing you’ll come across is Rocky Springs Visitor Center, where you can get some information about the history of Rocky Springs.
As you make your way from the visitor center, you’ll come across the Rocky Springs Campground, which is where the Rocky Springs Trail begins.
When it comes to hiking the trail, there are several different options, including a short loop-to-loop trail that leads straight to the old town of Rocky Springs.
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The trail includes some informative signage about Rocky Springs, which was established in 1790 and quickly grew into a bustling community.
In its heyday it was home to nearly 4,500 residents and included a church, private school, post office, tavern, banks, and more. The town’s location on the Natchez Trace had a lot to do with its growth. Since several miles of the old Trace went right through Rocky Springs, the town included several stores and inns that provided food and shelter to the large numbers of travelers passing through.
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Today, Rocky Springs is far cry from the thriving town it was once.
So, what happened to Rocky Springs? Well, by the 1940s, the once prosperous community didn’t have a single resident. Its demise is linked to several factors, including the Civil War, two Yellow Fever outbreaks, and a boll weevil epidemic.
Now a ghost town, all that’s left of Rocky Springs is a church, cemetery, a couple of safes, and cistern - all of which you'll see as you meander along the trail.
According to legend, a group of outlaws known as the Mason-Harpe Gang had a hideout in Rocky Springs and allegedly buried "tens of thousands of dollars in stolen gold and silver" somewhere near the cemetery.
The trail comes to an end back at Rocky Springs Campground. Call it a day or plan to spend the night.
