Running along the historic Natchez Trace and nestled amongst the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains lies Tishomingo State Park. Last weekend I had a chance to visit one of the state’s true-treasures, and believe it to be a place every Mississippian should visit.
I decided to go there for a couple of reasons. The cost to stay two nights in one of the parks cabins was just shy of $155. The other, and what put it on my radar, was that it was recommended while doing an interview for a previous article, ‘Fly on a dime, where to travel during the off-season.’
If you get there by driving along the Trace, the drive alone, to-and-from the park, is an absolute pleasure (except for the fact that we hit a deer and most likely killed it…It was traumatizing).
It’s about a four-hour drive from Jackson and you don’t have to worry about a bunch of speeding cars, bumper-to-bumper traffic, stop lights, just deer.
When we got there, the cabin was pretty much what you would expect: Small, old, a creepy deer mount and a shower with floor mats I wanted no business of. But the positives of the cabin greatly outweighed the negatives: It was a beautiful stone/wood cabin, oversized porch, surprisingly comfortable bed, beautiful fire place, great water pressure, excellent heating and AC, a kitchen where you could cook anything you wanted and a view you would no-doubt enjoy.
The majority of my time was spent hiking some of the seven different trails in the park, my favorite being the Outcroppings Trail. This 2.0 mile hike begins and ends at the swinging bridge, which was constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (most of the park was built by the CCC).
Quick side note: While walking the Outcroppings Trail, you will run into a natural spring. Don’t be afraid, it taste amazing and will probably make you stronger, live longer and cure cancer. At least, that’s what I think.
While at the park, we fished (I caught a bass, you can call me Bill Dance), explored numerous rock formations, started a fire (in our cabin fire place) and took way too many pictures.
I could go on for some-time about how great it is, but I think it’s better if you experience it and make some discoveries yourself.
For more information about the park and to make reservations, click here.
