Take This Scenic Route And Drive Through 3 Mississippi State Parks In One Day
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published October 27, 2022
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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.
The Natchez Trace Parkway is easily the most famed route in the state. However, despite its popularity, most are unaware that several Mississippi state parks are situated on or in close proximity to the parkway. This fact hasn’t been lost on us, though! And so, we’ve mapped out a route that travels a portion of the parkway and leads to three beautiful state parks, which means you’ll be treated to lots of scenic sights and plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
The perfect length for a day trip, the route we’ve mapped out spans roughly 68 miles and will take under two hours to complete.
Trace State Park is a quiet, natural retreat that’s nestled just a short distance from the parkway it’s named after. It’s one of the smaller state parks in Mississippi but still offers an impressive variety of recreational activities and facilities, including two playgrounds, picnic sites, a disc golf course, nature trails, and an 18-hole golf course. There’s also a lake, Trace Lake, which boasts over 500 acres of fresh water for fishing and water sports. For more information on Trace State Park, check out the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks website.
When traveling the Natchez Trace Parkway, you’ve got to detour to Tupelo. Not only is it where you’ll find the parkway’s headquarters, but it’s also where you’ll find Tombigbee State Park. Promising the "finest in outdoor recreation opportunities," the park boasts miles of hiking and biking trails and a 90-acre freshwater lake stocked with bass, bream, and catfish. The grounds also include picnic areas with tables and grills, a playground, a volleyball net, and a disc golf course. For more information on Trace State Park, check out the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks website.
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3. Tishomingo State Park (Tishomingo)
Tishomingo State Park, 105 Co Rd 90, Tishomingo, MS 38873, USA
Where better to end your route than Mississippi’s most popular state park?! An easy visit, the parkway travels right through the middle of Tishomingo State Park, which is known for its massive rock formations, swinging bridge, pristine creek, and flowing waterfalls. If you want to turn your day trip into an overnight excursion, this is a great place to do so: USA Today named Tishomingo State Park the 6th best park for camping in the USA. For more information, check out our past article about Tishomingo State Park.
So, did you know about all of these Mississippi state parks? Ever been to any of them? If so, which ones and how would you rate them? Know of any other must-visit parks in Mississippi? Tell us!
Looking for more sites to visit along the Natchez Trace Parkway? You’re in luck – there are lots to choose from, including these lesser-known Natchez Trace Parkway attractions.
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