Category: Mississippi Federal

Saint Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Saint Catherine Creek refuge is a 24,589-acre refuge located in southwest Mississippi. It “contains a diverse array of habitat types consisting of bottomland hardwoods, cypress swamps, upland hardwoods on the loess [a type of sediment] bluffs.”Here is their website.  Phone 601-442 6696  Map  Brochure
Magnolia Trail, a National Recreation Trail,  is 8.3 miles of trails that are “a great hiking and learning experience for visitors of all ages. The trails pass through a diversity of southwest Mississippi habitats, including loess bluff hills and native wetlands. Highlights include a cypress overlook, observation deck, and photography blind. Benches along the trail provide opportunities to rest and watch wildlife. ”  Map
Cabin Road Hiking Trail  is an ATV trail used by hunters during designated refuge hunts.  Off-road vehicle are only allowed on the trail at that time.  that is also frequented by hikers. The 2.2 mile trail “runs along the base of the loess bluffs and through a variety of habitats, including a cypress swamp. This trail is flat and accessible to all abilities.”  Better call to be sure this trail is suitable for your wheelchair, if you use one.
There is a 3 mile nature trail which, according to the kind person who replied to my query, varies in difficulty:  “The lower section of the trail (South Trailhead) would be better suited for elderly hikers, as there is a .5 mile section (trailhead to photo blind/rookery) that is flat terrain, with one hill that has a gradual incline.  If hikers went to the photoblind/rookery it would be an approximate 1 mile hike roundtrip.  Along the way there is a cypress overlook, open fields for viewing wildlife, benches, a small water impoundment and a small rookery, which has an enclosed photoblind.  Be aware that critters can make their way into the photoblinds, so depending on the season, check carefully for wasps, spiders and potentially snakes before entering blinds.   The surface of the trail is limestone rock, so wheelchairs should also have little to no difficulty with this section of the trail.”

Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge
This refuge consists of 4,199 acres in Grenada and Tallahatchie Counties.  “… the refuge’s largest unit is a patchwork of old fields and small scattered hardwood bottomland forests bisected  by the meandering Tippo Bayou.”  Here is the refuge website.    Phone 662-226-8286   Map
There is a boardwalk north of Highway 8, about one mile down Mabus Road. “This walk takes visitors through a forested wetland and terminates at an observation tower where hikers can look out over a field of grass and see wildlife such as white-tailed deer…… Wood ducks, hooded mergansers, herons and egrets, water snakes, and turtles can often be seen in the wetlands surrounding the wooden walkway.”   Call the Refuge Manager at 662-226-8286 to be sure there are no difficult stairs to access the boardwalk.

Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in extreme southeast Mississippi,  is part of the Gulf Coast Refuge Complex, which includes Grand Bay NWR and Bon Secour NWR. The refuge was established “to protect the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and their unique, and itself endangered, wet pine savanna habitat. ” “… here, a rich, colorful blend of rare orchids, carnivorous plants and other ground cover thrive under the scattered pines in one of the most species-rich plant communities in North America.
The refuge has two trails.  The folks there were kind enough to reply to my query:  “Both trails would be classified as easy hikes due to length (both under one mile) and gain in elevation. Both trails also have benches located along the route, so visitors may stop and rest during their walk. Unfortunately, the trails are not accessible for wheelchairs, though we have had school groups with students in wheelchairs (both motorized and non motorized) complete the C.L. Dees trail with assistance from their instructors. ”   The refuge reviewed on Trip Advisor   Here is the Refuge website.   Phone 228-497-6322
C. L. Dees Nature Trail   Map

Fontainebleau Trail    Reviewed on AllTrails

Hillside National Wildlife Refuge
Hillside NWR ‘diverse habitats support hundreds of wildlife species. The  dominant habitats are hardwood forest bottomlands with oaks and cottonwood trees in the higher elevations, and willow, bald cypress and tupelo sloughs or “brakes” in lower elevations.
Here is the Refuge website .   Phone 662-235-4989   Map
The Alligator Slough Nature Trail is a 0.6 mile accessible nature trail that  “meanders through a bottomland hardwood forest with a bald cypress and water tupelo slough accessed from the South Levee Road. “

Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is over 48,000 acres located in Noxubee, Oktibbeha, and Winston Counties.  Habitats provided at the refuge include bottomland hardwood forest communities, green-tree reservoirs, two lakes, 16 small impoundments, and assorted wetland areas. “The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker relies on the refuge for its existence in east-central Mississippi.”
Here is the Refuge website.   Phone 662-323-5548   Map  
The refuge has 11 trails, 7 of them listed as “gentle”.  Surfaces vary from native, gravel, boardwalk, and concrete.  Here is a video about the refuge.
Bluff Lake Boardwalk is just under 1000′ long.  It “winds through a cypress island at the edge of Bluff Lake. ”  A good trail for observing birds.
Cypress Cove Recreational Boardwalk is a little over 500 feet in length and allows access to Bluff Lake for fishing, sightseeing, or birdwatching, or just a different view. “It takes the visitor into a cypress grove on the edge of Bluff Lake and into the domain of the alligators and water dwelling creatures.”

Homochitto National Forest
The Homochitto National Forest was named for the Homochitto River, a Native American name for the “Big Red River.”  Here is the Forest website.   Phone 601-384-5876.   The Forest contains the Clear Springs Recreation Area.   Map
Clear Springs Nature Trail is a one mile loop with a wooden boardwalk through a cypress/Tupelo gum bottomland swamp near Roxie described by AllTrails as “good for all skill levels.”

Tombigbee National Forest
The Tombigee National Forest in northeastern Mississippi is rolling hills of pine and hardwood forests intermingled with private farms and woodlots.Here is the Forest website.  Phone 662-285-3264.   The Forest includes the Choctaw Lake National Recreation Area (brochure) which has an accessible trail.
 Lakeside Trail  2.5 miles described by Trails.com as “all accessible.”
Trails map

Holly Springs National Forest
Holly Springs National Forest in northern Mississippi is described as a “…public treasure of sparkling small lakes nestled among the lovely greens of upland hardwoods, pine forests, and unique bottomlands.”  Here is the Forest website.   Phone 662-236-6550
?  Chewalla Lake Recreation Area Trail.   I am guessing here, but from the description and photos, this looks to be an easy  trail.  Call first to be sure of its difficulty and conditions.