Cycling Destinations in Mississippi – Visit Mississippi

Longleaf Trace

Michael Jones — Wed, 13 May 2020 18:08:48 +0000

The Longleaf Trace is South Mississippi’s premier running, biking, hiking, and equestrian trail. The 44-mile linear park extends from Hattiesburg (elevation 220′) through Sumrall (290′), Bassfield (460′), and Carson to Prentiss (336′). A Rails-To-Trails conversion, the trail is 10 feet wide and […]

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Tanglefoot Trail

Michael Jones — Wed, 13 May 2020 18:11:44 +0000

The Tanglefoot Trail® is Mississippi’s longest Rails to Trails conversion, meandering 43.6 miles through the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area. It is here you will experience a bit of our history as you pass through fields, forests, meadows and wetlands while you travel down the path of the Chickasaws and Meriwether Lewis, or the railroad built by Col. William C. Falkner, great-grandfather of Nobel Prize winning author William Faulkner.

You’re sure to enjoy the slow pace of our Mississippi small towns and all they have to offer between New Albany at the northern end and Houston at the southern end. In between you’ll find that Ecru, Pontotoc, Algoma and New Houlka each provide unique characteristics. We look forward to having you visit, and hope you’ll come back often.

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Vicksburg National Military Park

Tate Nations — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 19:46:04 +0000

Commemorating one of the Civil War’s pivotal campaigns, Vicksburg National Military Park is arguably Mississippi’s most renowned historical attraction. Confederate President Jefferson Davis himself referred to Vicksburg as the “nailhead that holds the South’s two halves together,” and there’s no better way to explore the significant role the city played throughout the Civil War than by discovering the park’s many attractions firsthand. Vicksburg National Military Park is jam-packed with attractions that serve as a testament to the location’s prominent place in American history. More than 1,400 memorial monuments, tablets and markers dot the 1,800-acre park to honor soldiers who served on both sides of the Civil War. The park also features an impressive 20 miles of trenches and earthworks that have been reconstructed to reflect days gone by. The USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum are also located within the park, enabling visitors to view the restored vessel, along with Civil War-era artifacts recovered during the boat’s excavation.

The military park’s scenic, and often hilly, roads are popular with cyclists and walkers. Cycling, including the use of e-bikes, is permitted on park roads and parking lots only.

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Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail

randylynn — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 18:21:04 +0000

The Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail is a 10-mile paved path that runs through historic Choctaw homelands in Ridgeland. The trail is named in honor of the Choctaw town that stood where the city of Jackson is today. The name Chisha Foka (pronounced chee-sha-foe-ka) means “among the post oaks” in the Choctaw language.

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Ridgeland Mountain Bike Trail

randylynn — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 18:37:04 +0000

Built and maintained by the Tri-County Mountain Bike Association, the Ridgeland Mountain Bike Trail features 10 miles of fast singletrack with something for all skill levels. Non-members can ride the trails with a two-day visitor pass. A waiver is required to ride.

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Live Oaks Bike Trail

randylynn — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 16:38:41 +0000

The 15.5 mile round-trip Live Oaks Bicycle Route connects the Davis Bayou Area of the Seashore to the town of Ocean Springs at the Old Louisville and Nashville Train Depot. Follow the green and white bike-route signs on the right side of the city streets. Live Oaks Bicycling Route maps are available at the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce.

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South Campus Rail Trail

randylynn — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 17:00:29 +0000

Formerly known as the Whirlpool Trails or Thacker Mountain Rail Trail, the South Campus Rail Trail is a network of single tracks trails adjacent to the Ole Miss campus and easy cycling distance from downtown Oxford. Access to the trails is from the rail bed at the end of Coliseum Dr./Front St. Maps and more information can be found at the South Campus Rail Trail on the Ole Miss Campus Recreation website.

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Natchez Trace Parkway

randylynn — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 18:04:48 +0000

Stretching from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, the Natchez Trace is the crown jewel of Mississippi’s scenic roadways. The 444-mile recreational road is managed by the National Park Service and is truly unlike any other scenic route in the country, thanks to its historic sites and numerous markers that tell the story of the Trace’s 10,000-year history. Popular stops along the Natchez Trace include the Native American historic sites Pharr Mounds, Chickasaw Village Site (near Tupelo), Bynum Mounds, and Emerald Mound; Cypress Swamp, Rocky Springs Town Site; Reservoir Overlook; and Mount Locust Historic House.

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Ross Barnett Reservoir

Edie Kay Conner — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 23:03:04 +0000

The Ross Barnett Reservoir is Central Mississippi’s largest recreational area, offering a variety of parks and recreation, as well as different reservoir services. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities such as boating, fishing, and camping. The reservoir also provides different services, including boat rentals, fishing facilities, and waterfront amenities.

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Great River Road Bike Trail

paulatravis — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 16:07:38 +0000

The Great River Road traces the course of the Mississippi River. The route travels through the Mississippi River Valley’s rich history and inspiring natural beauty. The Great River Road Bike Trail begins at Walls and follows Old Highway 61 (The Great River Road Scenic Byway) passing through Lake Cormorant to the Tunica, MS County Line. The Great River Road is a perfect ride for the novice rider and families due to its relatively flat terrain, but it can offer opportunities for the experienced rider to work on speed and interval training. Stopovers include the Hernando DeSoto River Park, DeSoto County’s only access to the Mississippi River. (Note the last 1/4 mile to the Park is gravel, and not paved.) Take in views of the mighty Mississippi River at Bass Landing or head into one of the local restaurant’s for some great food, the trail provides something for everyone! The Great River Road has been designated as a National Scenic Byway which is part of the National Scenic Byways Program and is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The bike routes feature bike signs, logos and mileage marker signs placed at strategic intervals along each of the 35 miles (11 miles in DeSoto County and 24 miles in Tunica, MS) of bike routes. The difficulty level is easy. Trail surface is asphalt.

GIS COORDINATES: 34°51’37.79″ N 90°17’01.56″ W

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Bayou Point Mountain Bike Trail

paulatravis — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 16:16:13 +0000

The Bayou Point Mountain Bike Trail is located southwest of Hernando, MS just off of Highway 301 on Bayou Point Rd on the south side of Arkabutla Lake at 3905 Arkabutla Dam Road. Bayou Point is currently a 5.6 mile single-track loop for mountain bikes only. The trail includes everything from fast and flowing to tight and technical sections. It also includes multiple obstacles to challenge the advanced rider, such as log rides, rock skinnies, berms, jumps and drops. Elevation change is roughly 390 feet of climbing/descending per lap. The trail is located in a somewhat remote area so there is plenty of wildlife to be seen as well as several scenic views of Arkabutla Lake. The trailhead includes a kiosk with trail map and information, ample parking, full restroom with running water and heat in the winter, playground and picnic tables. While Bayou Point does not offer camping, just a half mile away at the South Abutment are many primitive and RV campsites available. Open year round. Length of the natural trail surface is 10 feet wide and the difficulty level is easy-moderate.

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Bonita Lakes Park

Edie Kay Conner — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 17:51:33 +0000

Bonita Lakes Park is a city-owned natural retreat, featuring three lakes, nature trails, and recreational activities. The park offers paved multi-use trails plus mountain bike trails and twenty miles of equestrian trails. Admission is free, and the park is open year-round.

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