The Magnolia State
Mississippi
Bald cypress swamps, longleaf pine savannas, and the lower Mississippi River's floodplain forest.
Mississippi at a Glance
Longleaf Pine
DeSoto National Forest is actively restoring longleaf pine savannas, the dominant ecosystem of the pre-settlement South
Leaf River
The Leaf River watershed in DeSoto National Forest supports excellent fishing for bass, bream, and catfish in blackwater streams
Bald Eagles
Mississippi's national forests host significant wintering bald eagle populations along river corridors from November through February
Tuxachanie Trail
The 24-mile Tuxachanie Trail through DeSoto National Forest traverses longleaf pine uplands and creek-bottom hardwoods near the Gulf Coast
Black Bear Recovery
Black bears have been reintroduced to Mississippi's Yazoo Delta bottomlands and are slowly recolonizing the Bienville National Forest area
Black Creek Wilderness
Black Creek Wilderness in DeSoto National Forest protects a pristine blackwater stream designated as a National Wild and Scenic River
When to Visit
October through April. Summer heat and humidity are intense, with dangerous conditions for strenuous hiking. The forest is most pleasant during the mild winter months when insects are minimal.
Top Activities
Gateway Cities
Hattiesburg
Southern Mississippi city near DeSoto National Forest and the Black Creek Wilderness, with direct access to the Tuxachanie Trail.
Forest
Central Mississippi city near Bienville National Forest, with access to the forest's Shockaloe Trail system and numerous fishing lakes.
Did You Know?
Black Creek in DeSoto National Forest is Mississippi's only National Wild and Scenic River, with 21 miles of federally protected stream.
Bienville National Forest contains the largest concentration of pitcher plants in the southeastern United States.
Mississippi's forests provide habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered species that requires mature longleaf pine for nesting cavities.
DeSoto National Forest was established in 1936 and named after Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, who crossed Mississippi in 1540.
Mississippi has no natural lakes, but its national forests contain dozens of managed lakes and reservoirs created for recreation and wildlife.