Nature

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THE CROSBY ARBORETUM - Picayune

The Crosby Arboretum is dedicated to educating the public about their environment. This mission is carried out by preserving, protecting, and displaying plants native to the Pearl River Drainage Basin ecosystem, providing environmental and botanical research opportunities, and offering cultural, scientific, and recreational programs. The Arboretum displays three basic habitats found in this ecosystem. They are a Savanna exhibit, a Woodland exhibit, and an Aquatic exhibit. Both drastic and subtle changes in landscape patterns can be observed within each exhibit. In addition to the 104-acre interpretive site, the Arboretum also collectively maintains 700 acres of off-site natural areas that are preserved for scientific study.

Admission: Adults - $5.00
Seniors/Military - $4.00
Children under 12 - $2.00
Members visit for free

Hours:
Interpretive Center
Wed-Sun: 9 AM- 4:30 PM
Last admission is 4 PM
(Exit gates close at 4:30 PM)
Business Office
Wed-Sun: 9 AM - 5 PM
Closed: Mon & Tues,
Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve
& New Years Day.

Address: 370 Ridge Road, Picayune, MS 39466

Phone: (601) 799-2311 (Wed-Sun)

photo courtesy of MSU Extension Service/Kevin Hudson

Mississippi Petrified Forest - Flora

Mississippi Petrified Forest is a petrified forest located near Flora. It is privately owned and open for public visits. The forest is believed to have been formed 36 million years ago when fir and maple logs washed down an ancient river channel to the current site where they later became petrified. It is one of only two petrified forests in the eastern United States, the other being Gilboa Fossil Forest in New York. It was declared a National Natural Landmark in October 1965.

The site features a museum with examples of petrified wood found in every state and from other countries. The samples include a variety of plant materials, including leaves, fruits, cones and bark. Other fossils and fossil casts are on display, including dinosaur footprints, whale bones and turtle shells.

Amenities & Activities: Nature trail, museum, gem mining flume, campground, pavilion, gift shop

Admission:
ADULT $7.00
STUDENT (grades 1-12) $6.00
SENIORS $6.00
Groups (15 or more) $5.00 each

Hours: Open year round (except Thanksgiving & Christmas Day)
Summer hours April 1 to Labor Day 9am – 6pm
Winter hours Labor Day to April 1 9am – 5pm

Address: 124 Forest Park Rd, Flora, MS 39071

Phone: 601-879-8189

photo by Kid-Friendly Mississippi

GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE: DAVIS BAYOU AREA - OCEAN SPRINGS

Gulf Islands National Seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico from Cat Island in Mississippi to the Okaloosa Area in Florida, and includes maritime forests, bayous, and marine habitat.

The Mississippi areas are home of a historic fort and the most beautiful barrier islands in the United States. Relax, enjoy the scenery, hike a trail, or explore the fort. Whether you visiting for a day or a week there are many places to explore.

There are a variety of activities while visiting the seashore’s Mississippi areas including swimming, bicycling, snorkeling, fishing, hiking, beach combing, bird watching, boating, and camping.

Davis Bayou offers many recreational opportunities for visitors year-round such as fishing, boating, biking, bird watching, picnicking and attending ranger-led programs. Visitors may also enjoy hiking along the Davis Bayou Trail, which takes visitors through a coastal forest and over two local bayous, with an opportunity to see alligators and other reptiles. The campground offers easy access, a 1/2 mile, to the park's boat launch, as well as the scenic Davis Bayou Trail. The fishing pier, located near the Visitor Center, may be used by visitors who possess a Mississippi State Saltwater Fishing License.

Amenities:
William M. Colmer Visitor Center: Explore indoor exhibits about the shore and the islands.
Visitor Center Fishing Pier: An excellent site to cast a line. (The pier is currently closed due to hurricane damage.)
Hiking Trails: There are several short hiking trails throughout the area.
Campground: Visit our Developed Campgrounds page to learn more about camping in the area.
Boat Launch: For a small fee, launch your boat and park your vehicle for a day on the water.
Picnic Area: There is a large area for picnicing including five picnic shelters.

Admission: No Entrance Fee

Hours: Year-round 8:00 a.m. to sunset
Visitor Center, Fishing Pier, and Bookstore: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Robert McGhee Road (Davis Bayou Boat Launch & Picnic Area): 6:00 a.m. to sunset.

Address: 3500 Park Rd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Phone: 228-230-4100

photo courtesy of Carol T.

Sky LakE Boardwalk - Belzoni

The Sky Lake Boardwalk is more than 1,700 feet long and is handicap and stroller accessible. Visitors enter the heart of the ancient forest and walk among giant bald cypress trees, some of which are more than 1,000 years old. the boardwalk affords excellent views of birds and other wildlife.

Kid-friendly features: Stroller-friendly, amphitheater, pavilion, restrooms, walking trail, paddling trail, and a headquarters/educational building.

Address: 1090 Simmons Rd, Belzoni, MS 39038
Sky Lake WMA is located in Humphreys and Leflore Counties near Belzoni. From Belzoni, go north on Hwy 7 approximately 8 miles, Turn left on Four Mile Road. Go approximately 3 miles to permit station. Take left at permit station on Lake Road. Go approximately .25 miles to WMA headquarters on the right.

Phone: (662) 335-2422

photo courtesy of Marilyn Innman

CLINTON COMMUNITY NATURE CENTER - Clinton

The Clinton Community Nature Center features miles of beautiful, shaded walking trails, Play Forest, Mud Kitchen, Splashing Frog Water Feature, amphitheater, native plants, Price Hall, popular annual events and programs.

The Nature Center is owned and operated by the Clinton Community Nature Center Association, Inc., a 501c(3) non-profit organization formed to preserve a precious tract of woods, located right in the heart of Clinton, Mississippi. The Nature relies heavily on Supporters, Volunteers, Memberships, and Fundraisers. We strive to conserve our land and historic features while developing a place for the application, enjoyment, and study of nature in all aspects.

Hours: Everyday 7 AM - sunset

Address: 617 Dunton Road, Clinton, MS 39056

Phone: (601) 926-1104

photo courtesy of Allan Innman

TANGLEFOOT TRAIL - New Albany

Mississippi’s longest Rails to Trails conversion is a paved ten foot wide biking and hiking trail that meanders through the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area. The trail begins in historic downtown New Albany and continues 44 miles through scenic villages and countryside to its conclusion Houston, Mississippi. The trail is available for use free of charge every day of the year from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. You can bring your own bike or rent one in town. Transportation services available.

Hours: Open everyday from half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset.

Address: N Railroad Ave, New Albany, MS 38652 (New Albany trailhead)
Houston in Chickasaw County (Mile 0)
New Houlka in Chickasaw County (Mile 9.9)
Algoma in Pontotoc County (Mile 19.3)
Pontotoc in Pontotoc County (Mile 25.8)
Ecru in Pontotoc County (Mile 32.6)
Ingomar Community in Union County (Mile 37.1)
New Albany in Union County (Mile 43.6)

Phone: 662-489-2415

photo courtesy of Tanglefoot Trail

PASCAGOULA RIVER AUDUBON CENTER - MOSS POINT

Located in downtown Moss Point, Mississippi, the Pascagoula River Audubon Center offers nature-based experiences on scenic bayou walkways & observation decks, a nature play garden, interactive exhibits, aquaria, excellent birding, meeting/event rental spaces, and programming for all ages. Kayak rentals are available with access to Rhodes Bayou, which drains into the Escatawpa and Pascagoula Rivers. The ten-acre center is located on property that was once part of a trolley line that carried lumber, mail, and even passengers from Moss Point to the coastline of Pascagoula, almost 10 miles away.

Admission: Adult $5
senior (age 55+) or active military $4
Child (age 12 and under) $3.

Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
CLOSED Sunday & Monday

Address: 5107 Arthur St, Moss Point, MS 39563

Phone: (228) 475-0825

photo courtesy of Pascagoula River Audubon Center

THE GROVE AT OLE MISS - Oxford

The Grove is the tailgating area located at the center of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) campus. It is approximately 10 acres in size. The Grove takes its name from "the oak, elm and magnolia trees surrounding the area".

Hours: Open everyday

Address: 1848 University Ave, Oxford, MS 38655

photo courtesy of Marilyn Innman

INGOMAR MOUNDS - New Albany

The Ingomar Mounds are the oldest documented man-made site in Union County dated to approximately 2,200 years ago. The Smithsonian archaeologists excavated the site in the middle 1880s, creating the map and taking hundreds of objects for its permanent collection. A selection of those objects is on loan from the Smithsonian to the Union County Heritage Museum and are currently on exhibit. Annual events are held for students and adults at the 63 acre Mound site owned by the non-profit Archaeological Conservancy.

Address: Ingomar Mounds, New Albany, MS 38652

photo courtesy of Fredlyfish4

FLOWOOD NATURE PARK - Flowood

40 acres off Flowood Drive just beyond Winner's Circle Park, and adjacent to Flowood Elementary. A one mile, paved, distance-marked walking trail runs from the parking lot around the lake and into a wooded area on the rear of the park. The trail weaves through a mature hardwood forest with markers for native trees and plant species where kids can learn about trees, plants and wildlife. Wooden benches and picnic spots accent the way. The Nature Park has rentable open-air pavilions with two picnic tables, and amphitheater for outdoor classes or weddings, and a beautiful lake with a fountain.

Hours: Open everyday from dawn to dusk

Address: 4077 Flowood Dr, Flowood, MS 39232

Phone: (601) 992-4440

photo by Kid-Friendly Mississippi

WINTERVILLE MOUNDS - Greenville

Winterville Mounds is the 42-acre site of a prehistoric Native American ceremonial center and home to sacred structures and ceremonies near Greenville, Mississippi, featuring 12 mounds, two large plazas, and a museum.

Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Sunday: 1:30 - 5 PM

Address: 2415 MS-1, Greenville, MS 38701

Phone: (662) 334-4684

photo courtesy of Winterville Mounds

VETERANS MEMORIAL ROSE GARDEN - Starkville

The garden is located at the Highway 182 entrance to the R. Rodney Foil Plant Science Research Facility. Rose planting at the site began during spring 2006. By fall 2007, construction was complete, and more than 30 rose cultivars were established at the garden.

The Veterans Memorial Rose Garden includes several classes of roses including Hybrid Tea, Grandiflora, Floribunda, Shrub, and Ground Cover.

Garden Features: The Veterans Memorial Rose Garden offers several features such as: A Central Gazebo, Raised-brick Planting Beds Encircling The Gazebo, Paved Walkways Through The Beds, An Arched Bridge Connecting The Site To A Visitor Parking Lot, Three Arbors, Ornate Brick And Steel Fence, Americans With Disabilities Act Compliant

Admission: Free

Hours: Everyday from dawn to dusk

Address: 30 Verner Hurt Blvd., Starkville, MS 39759

Phone: (662) 325-2403

photo courtesy of Mississippi State University