Natchez Nature Lover

Natchez is a paradise for adventurers and anyone who loves the outdoors. There are plenty of outdoor activities in Natchez to keep you busy. With the Mississippi River and several nearby lakes, you can enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking and boating. If you’d rather not get wet, you can go hunting, hiking, birding, or biking through several of our nature trails and parks including the Natchez Trace Parkway.

1. We recommend beginning your Natchez Nature adventure at the Natchez Visitor Center. Here, the lovely staff can provide recommendations and answer any questions you have about the surrounding area. Pick up a souvenir t-shirt or coffee mug in the logo shop while you’re there.

2. Take the short drive out to the Natchez City Cemetery. It may sound a bit grave to consider a cemetery an attraction, but when it comes to the Natchez City Cemetery, and once you learn the history of some of the characters buried there, you’ll quickly understand why. Once you enter the gates, you can either begin a self-guided tour following a brochure and map, or you may be interested in hiring a guide so you’ll get all the details of the deceased at this historic cemetery. Tombstone inscriptions embellished by romantic and mysterious tales draw portraits of the dearly departed interned here. Bring a good pair of walking shoes and make the Natchez City Cemetery a good three hour stop on your itinerary. As historic cemeteries go, it’s unforgettable.

3. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Natchez Trails. The trails are a combination of city streets and walkways dotted with interpretive panels depicting the history of the area in which you are walking. The trails run throughout the downtown area and along the bluff overlooking the river. Pedestrians and cyclists can share parts of the trails, and you can wind your way down to the edge of the mighty Mississippi River. You can add an extra day to your stay just to spend it walking along the Natchez Trails.

4. A morning treasure hunt sounds like a great way to start the day to us! With over 80 geocaches located in the area, you’ll be sure to stumble upon some interesting places. just download your preferred geocaching app to get going!

5. The 128-acre Grand Village of the Natchez Indians site features the house, a museum and three ceremonial mounds. On the nature trail, native trees, flowers, and shrubs are identified. Inside the center you will find interpretive exhibits and a gift shop featuring Native American crafts. A “Touch Table” invites children to handle tools and other objects the Indians employed.

6. If you’re looking for something a little more rustic than city exploration, Natchez State Park has 50 developed camping sites, eight tent camping sites, and ten lakeside vacation cabins. Visitors to the park can enjoy disc golf, a playground, nature trail, and a boat launch. Freshwater fishing for catfish, bream, and Florida largemouth bass and hunting are also available with the appropriate permitting.

7. Take a tour on our area lakes or even the Mississippi River with one of Natchez’s premier outdoor tour companies- Miss Lou Tours. Each company offers something a little bit different so be sure to contact them for a custom Natchez experience!

8. You will find nature at its finest throughout the Homochitto National Forest. Spend hours hiking along the many creeks and trails that thread this enchanting woodland. The Clear Springs Recreational Area consists of a man-made lake, campground, picnic grounds, swim area, and two hiking trails. The longer of the two trails in the Recreation Area, Clear Springs Trail, is developing a reputation as one of the top three mountain-bike trails in Mississippi. Most campsites are secluded and either overlook the lake or are within an easy walk of the lake.

9. Clark Creek Nature Area is located approximately 36 miles south of Natchez near the little towns of Woodville and Fort Adams, Mississippi. There are over 700 acres of steep loess bluffs, woodlands with 30 foot high waterfalls, winding trails, and rugged terrain. It is one of the states most beautiful, unspoiled nature areas. At the trail head there is a c. 1800s country store, and cabins available to rent.

10. St. Catherine Creek Wildlife Refuge is located ten miles south of Natchez near Sibley, Mississippi. Habitat on the refuge offers a myriad of ecological niches for wildlife. Cypress swamps and hardwood forests vegetated with oak, gum, elm, ash, cottonwood and pine comprise thirty percent of the refuge. Ten percent of the acreage is open water, while the remaining property consists of cleared land and battue land. The refuge is open to the public year-round. Available activities include fishing, hunting, bird watching and hiking. A three-mile nature trail is located near the headquarters where visitors can enjoy a peaceful opportunity to view wildlife.