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Bear Creek (voted in the top 100 float streams in the nation by Reserve America, designated a Mississippi Scenic Stream) is a stream that flows northward through beautiful scenery making a loop through the Appalachian foothills in Tishomingo State Park. Bear Creek displays rocky outcrops and provides the look and feel of mountain forest and slopes. Seasonal canoe float trip is offered with canoe rentals available by the Tishomingo State Park.
Big Black is an unaltered stream flowing through Central Mississippi through a bottomland hardwood setting. This river glides past numerous prehistoric occupation sites, including the Floyd Mound conical burial ground. These lands are teeming with wildlife and a heron rookery can be found along this river. Canoe the river at nine access points; access at Highway 51 at Pickens and take out at Highway 61 near Grand Gulf. Outfitter not available, contact Mississippi Outdoor Club, www.msoutdoorclub.org
Bogue Chitto River is a beautiful river that flows through the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge in southern Mississippi. This river slices through a scenic bottomland hardwood forest and displays many areas of natural beauty and abundant wildlife. It is a popular rare whitewater stream with quality recreational opportunities. 95 mile trip - launch at Alford Bridge, 5 miles north of McComb, 2 miles east of US Highway 51, take out at Lock #3 on Pearl River Canal, 10 miles south of Bogalusa, LA, east on signed road off Highway 21; parking, boat ramp; shorter trip launches or take outs at Bogue Chitto Water Park off Highway 98 east of McComb. ? Outfitters - Bogue Chitto’s Best Tube & Canoe, McComb, MS; Bogue Chitto Choo Choo Canoe Rental, McComb, MS; Canoe and Trail Outpost, Tylertown, MS; Ryals Canoe and Tube Rental, McComb, MS; Sweetwater Park and Canoe Renting, Tylertown, MS
Chunky River (designated a Mississippi Scenic Stream) is a diverse and natural stream that flows past the largest waterfall in the state at scenic Dunn’s Falls. This river flows from the confluence of Chunky and Potterchitto Creeks in Newton County to the Chickasawhay River (Newton, Lauderdale, Clark Counties) near Meridian and is one of only a few Mississippi streams with true rock outcrops. This is a fairly shallow river containing sand and gravel bars, clay and sandstone shoals with banks covered by mosses, ferns and numerous hardwoods. Contact Stuckey Bridge Canoe Rental, 601.481.4210, for outfitting services for this river.
The DeSoto County Greeways program was established to take advantage of nature and its beauty and encompasses a variety of multipurpose trails and green spaces, suitable for hiking, skating, biking, jogging, walking, running, equestrian use, canoeing and kayaking. The Coldwater River Canoe & Kayak Trail meanders from MS HW 309 westward to Hwy 51 Arkabutla Lake, just south of Hernando.
Gulf Islands National Seashore Park (barrier islands and Davis Bayou) offers the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and nourishes eleven separate units that include bayou, salt marsh, live oak and southern magnolia forest. The snow-white beaches teeming with migratory and marine wildlife springing from these several ecosystems provide a rare and prime recreational area. This water wilderness just begs to be explored by paddle and canoeing and kayaking are an immensely popular sport here. Four out of the five Mississippi regions are barrier islands: Horn Island, Petit Bois Island, East Ship Island, and West Ship Island. The fifth Mississippi region is the intriguing Davis Bayou located on the mainland. Davis Bayou provides the perfect setting for exploration by canoe or kayak. Also, many sea kayakers are intrigued with the trip to Horn Island as was the famous artist, Walter Anderson. ? Outfitter: Eco Tours of South Mississippi, Gautier, MS, 228.297.8687
Fish or swim in Magee's Creek or drop in a canoe for a short day trip. Paved walking trail, pavilion, outdoor stage, and children's playground.
Guided kayak tours and scenic bayou tours on local waterways, dolphin encounters and dolphin interactions, stingray touch pools and reptiles.
Leaf River is part of a 960 acre parcel of National Forest and flows through a remote and natural area. It rises in the Bienville National Forest in southwestern Scott County. Bird watching is a top attraction for canoeing the Leaf River. Primitive camping and nature trails are also abundant in this beautiful national forest. ? 601.544.4207
Canoe the Little Sunflower River, a paddle trip through the bottomland hardwood of the Delta National Forest. The stretch from the boat ramp to the junction with Six Mile Cutoff is beautiful. Put in/take out at US Forest Service boat ramp off Dummy Line Road in Delta National Forest; explore either direction. Suggested Outfitter - Quapaw Canoe Company, 662.627.4070