Mississippi waterways are a wonderland of beautiful landscapes steeped in history, offering plenty of ways to explore them. If you’re looking to spend a serene afternoon drifting, there’s no shortage of tranquil streams, bayous, and winding oxbows. If a multi-day guided expedition is more your speed, the river (and its knowledgeable guides) have you covered there, too.
From the Mississippi Delta to Mississippi’s “Secret Coast,” check out these eight must-try water adventures!
NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Tishomingo State Park
Location: Tishomingo, MS
More Info: mdwfp.com
In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Tishomingo State Park offers lots of fun on the water, including its popular canoe floats on Bear Creek — a perfect expedition for all skill levels. You can book your reservation ($40 per person) with the park, and they’ll provide everything you need for the trip, including the boat rental and transportation upstream to the drop-in point.
The self-guided route is 6.5 miles long and traverses Class I rapids and tranquil pools sprinkled throughout the rocky-bottom stream. The route concludes at the park’s historic swinging river bridge (built in 1938!).
After your float, head into town for more activities and exploring in the nearby town of Tishomingo, which lends small-town charm to the historic Natchez Trace Parkway.
Sky Lake Swamp
Location: Belzoni, MS
More Info: skylakemississippi.org
Bring your own canoe or kayak and explore the Cypress-Tupelo Swamp (boasting giant bald cypress trees more than 1,000 years old) in Sky Lake Swamp in Belzoni. Explore its 2.6 miles of trails, keeping close to the park’s boardwalk or adventuring deep into the heart of the swamp. Sky Lake is a haven for all manner of wildlife, including alligators, black bears, bats, and numerous bird and snake species.
Quapaw Canoe Company
Location: Clarksdale, MS
More Info: island63.com
Tucked away in the state’s Northwestern corner, an hour and a half south of Memphis and two and a half hours east of Little Rock, the town of Clarksdale is the home base for the Quapaw Canoe Company. There, founder (and self-proclaimed “river rat”) John Ruskey leads unforgettable guided trips along the Mississippi River in hand-carved canoes.
Quapaw Canoe Company offers single or multi-day wilderness expeditions on the Lower Mississippi River, guiding paddlers through bayous, oxbows, and floodplains rarely seen up close.
CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI
Capital City Kayaks
Location: Flowood-Jackson, MS
More Info: capitalcitykayaks.com
Capital City Kayaks offers guided and solo trips at Crystal Lake, an enclosed oxbow between Downtown Jackson and Flowood. The guided tours last around two hours, but you can also take to the water for a self-guided trip or break away from the guided pack for up to five hours on the water. You can choose single or tandem kayaks ($35 and $70, respectively) and even bring your fishing gear.
Pearl River Kayaks
Location: Various Locations
More Info: pearlriverkayaks.com
Hit the water with Pearl River Kayaks, which offers guided tours, lessons, and self-guided trips along the scenic Pearl River and the Ross R. Barnett Reservoir in Madison. They have a large fleet of kayaks (including sit-inside and sit-on-top kayaks, tandem and kids’ kayaks, and a unique three-person canoe/kayak hybrid). They can deliver to several locations, so you can choose your own adventure.
Alternatively, they can help you select the location, trail, and route that’s right for you. Prices vary between $30 and $60 per person, depending on the location and type of trip.
Yazoo River
Location: Vicksburg, MS
More Info: lowerdelta.org
Stretches of the Yazoo River in Vicksburg provide the perfect conditions for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. A popular, beginner-friendly paddling trail starts at King’s Ferry Landing and meanders five miles to the Loess Bluffs of Vicksburg.
When the water levels are right, break up the trip by stopping at a sandbar halfway along the route. After about a mile, the route meets the Upper Vicksburg Harbor, so watch for industrial traffic. The trail also goes by Centennial Lake, which you can paddle to when the water is high enough. You’ll start to see the sights of Downtown Vicksburg about 4.5 miles into the journey, including the Old Depot Museum and the Old Courthouse Museum.
COASTAL MISSISSIPPI
Ship Island
Location: Gulf Harbor to Ship Island, MS
More Info: msshipisland.com
Head offshore to experience a sun-soaked adventure on one of Mississippi’s Barrier Islands. Ship Island showcases white sand beaches and tours of historic Fort Massachusetts.
A ferry from Gulfport, Ship Island Excursions offers easy day trips filled with swimming, birding, and history. The one-hour ferry ride departs from Gulfport Harbor and is an adventure in itself, as voyagers often spot marine wildlife on the journey.
There’s not much development on Ship Island, so pack a picnic and spend the day unplugged and tuned in to nature. In addition to the ferry service ($44/adult, $38/child), Ship Island Excursions offers dolphin cruises, sunset and music cruises, and private charters.
Eco-Tours of South Mississippi
Location: Gautier, MS
More Info: ecotoursofsouthmississippi.com
Explore the wildlife wonders of the Lower Pascagoula River on a custom guided tour from Eco-Tours of South Mississippi. The Pascagoula River is the longest unimpeded river in the lower 48 states, emptying into the Mississippi Sound in the Gulf of Mexico.
You’ll traverse cypress swamps and saltwater marshes with Captain Kendall Smith to learn all about this unique ecosystem. The area is home to alligators, ospreys, egrets, pelicans, and even elusive bald eagles, along with hundreds of plant species, including wild orchids and lilies. Prices range from $60 to $70 per person, and tours last a few hours.
This article is made possible by Visit Mississippi.
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