Mississippi Parks and Recreation Areas

In the spring of 1864, Major General William Sherman prepared his army to take Atlanta and susequently march to the sea. A primary concern of Sherman's was Major General Nathan Forrest's Confederate corp of mounted infantry roving the mid-South. Sherman ordered several advances from Federally controlled Memphis into north Mississippi for the purpose of keeping Forrest in Mississippi and not behind Sherman, cutting communication and supply lines. On July 13-15, 1864, the battle of Tupelo was the result of one of those advances by Major General Andrew J. Smith. Although the Federals retreated to Memphis after the battle, it was a Federal victory: Forrest was not able to interfere with Sherman's Georgia campaign. read more...

Phone: 662 680 4025   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: Tupelo   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Battlefield   Activities:   Details Provided By: Tupelo National Battlefield

The 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway commemorates an ancient trail that connected southern portions of the Mississippi River to salt licks in todays central Tennessee. Over the centuries, the Choctaw, Chickasaw and other American Indians left their marks on the Trace. The Natchez Trace experienced its heaviest use from 1785 to 1820 by the Kaintuck boatmen that floated the Ohio and Miss. rivers to markets in Natchez and New Orleans. They sold their cargo and boats and began the trek back north on foot to Nashville and points beyond. Today, visitors can experience this National Scenic Byway and All-American Road through driving, hiking, biking, horseback riding and camping. read more...

Phone: 1 800 305 7417   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Tupelo   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Monument   Activities: Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Boating and Watercraft, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Swimming, Wildlife Watching, Camping, Auto Touring, Nature Walks   Details Provided By: Natchez Trace Parkway

Natchez National Historical Park celebrates the rich cultural history of Natchez, Mississippi and interprets the pivotal role the city played in the settlement of the old southwest, the Cotton Kingdom and the Antebellum South. read more...

Phone: (601)442-7047   Price Range: $0 - $8   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Natchez   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Historic Park   Activities: Birding, Fishing, Interpretive Programs   Details Provided By: Natchez

Located on MS Hwy 370 six miles west of Baldwyn, this one-acre site commemorates a battle which had one objective-- make impossible the threat of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest to interfere with General William T. Sherman's railroad supply line from Nashville to Chattanooga during the Atlanta campaign. read more...

Phone: 662-680-4025   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Tupelo   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Battlefield   Activities:   Details Provided By: Brices Cross Roads

The Vicksburg campaign was waged from March 29 to July 4, 1863. It included battles in west-central Mississippi at Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, Big Black River and 47 days of Union siege operations against Confederate forces defending the city of Vicksburg. Located high on the bluffs, Vicksburg was a fortress guarding the Mississippi River. It was known as The Gibraltar of the Confederacy. Its surrender on July 4, 1863, coupled with the fall of Port Hudson, Louisiana, divided the South, and gave the North undisputed control of the Mississippi River. read more...

Phone: 601-636-0583   Price Range: $4 - $10   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: Vicksburg   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Military Park   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Hiking, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Interpretive Programs   Details Provided By: Vicksburg National Military Park

Vicksburg National Cemetery was established by Congress in 1865 and opened a year later, to provide a burial place for "soldiers who shall die in the service of the country." It lies on ground once manned by Major-General William T. Sherman's XV Army Corps. Embracing 116 acres it is the final resting place of 17,000 Union Soldiers, a number unmatched by any other national cemetery. Many soldiers had been interred originally in scattered locations in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi during the campaign for control of the Mississippi River. read more...

Phone: 601-636-0583   Price Range: $4 - $10   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: Vicksburg   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring   Details Provided By: Vicksburg National Cemetery