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Airey Lake Trail

De Soto National Forest, Mississippi · 3 min read

Distance
3.5 mi
Elevation Gain
80 ft
Difficulty
easy
Route Type
Loop
Best Season
October through April
Est. Time
1.5-2 hours
Dog Friendly
Yes
Kid Friendly
Yes
Difficulty Score
1 / 10

Trailhead Amenities

Restroom
Vault Toilet
Parking
Free
Cell Service
Limited
Water
None
Camping
None
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Conditions, regulations, and fees change frequently. Verify with the local ranger district before your trip. Full disclaimer

At a Glance

  • Airey Lake shoreline with good birding for waterfowl and wading birds
  • Flat and accessible coastal plain terrain
  • Fishing access for largemouth bass and bream
  • Short and quiet loop in a less-visited section of De Soto
  • Good option for morning wildlife observation
lakewildlifeswimming

Overview

Airey Lake Trail circles a small lake in the eastern section of De Soto National Forest, offering 3.5 miles of easy walking through coastal plain pine and hardwood forest with consistent lake views. The trail is flat, well-maintained, and one of the quieter options in the forest. It serves the niche visitor looking for a short, accessible walk with good birding and fishing opportunities rather than a backcountry challenge.

No permit is required. The trail is open year-round. Dogs are welcome on leash.

The Route

The loop: The trail starts at the Airey Lake Recreation Area parking area and immediately follows the lake shoreline westward. The first section offers the most open lake views, with the forest pulling back from the water and good sightlines across the surface for birding. The trail continues around the full perimeter, occasionally entering the pine-hardwood forest before returning to the lakeside.

The loop is consistently flat, with the only elevation changes occurring at small drainage crossings that add character without difficulty. The total loop of 3.5 miles returns to the parking area from the north.

When to Hike

October through March is the best window for birding, with winter waterfowl present and more comfortable temperatures. Spring (March through May) brings nesting activity and warmer weather. Summer is hot but manageable in the early morning.

What to Bring

Binoculars make the most of the lake birding opportunities. Carry at least 1 liter of water; the lake itself is not suitable for drinking without treatment. Insect repellent from April through October is worth carrying for lake edge sections.

Trailhead Access

The trailhead is reached via forest roads east of Hattiesburg. Check the USFS De Soto ranger district map for the specific access road. Vault restrooms are available at the parking area.

Nearby

The Turkey Fork Loop near Turkey Fork Recreation Area is a slightly longer easy hike. The Black Creek Trail is the forest's main backpacking route. Review the Leave No Trace seven principles before your visit.

Before any outing in East Texas national forest terrain, review the checking conditions guide for current information on trail conditions, fire restrictions, and wildlife alerts from official USFS sources.

The America the Beautiful pass covers day-use fees at developed recreation areas throughout the national forest system. Veterans and active military have additional access options covered in the veteran benefits guide.

East Texas national forests experience hot and humid conditions from May through September, with mosquito and tick activity year-round. Checking the Leave No Trace seven principles before any visit helps preserve the forest for the next visitor.

Trailhead Parking

Airey Lake Recreation Area parking off forest roads east of Hattiesburg. Gravel lot. No fee.

← Back to De Soto National Forest

More Trails in De Soto National Forest

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Big Foot Horse Trail

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A 28-mile multi-use trail through De Soto National Forest's longleaf pine uplands and creek drainages, open to equestrians, hikers, and mountain bikers across the coastal plain of southern Mississippi.

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Black Creek Trail

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Longleaf Pine Nature Trail

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A 1.8-mile easy interpretive loop in De Soto National Forest explaining the longleaf pine ecosystem restoration underway across the Gulf coastal plain of southern Mississippi.

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Red Creek Trail

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A 7-mile out-and-back trail following Red Creek through bottomland hardwood forest in De Soto National Forest, with good wildlife viewing and access to a less-visited section of the forest's creek corridor.

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Turkey Fork Recreation Area Loop

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A 4.5-mile easy loop at the Turkey Fork Recreation Area in De Soto National Forest, circling through longleaf pine and mixed hardwood forest near Turkey Fork Creek.

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Tuxachanie Trail

23 mi700 ft gain
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A 23-mile point-to-point backcountry hiking trail through the western unit of De Soto National Forest in Mississippi, crossing longleaf pine uplands and bottomland hardwood creek drainages.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What birds can I see at Airey Lake?
Airey Lake attracts a good variety of waterfowl and wading birds. Wood ducks nest in the surrounding forest. Great blue herons, great egrets, and belted kingfishers are regular residents. Ospreys fish the lake in warmer months. Fall and winter migration brings additional waterfowl species. Early morning visits offer the best birding activity.
Is Airey Lake good for fishing?
Yes. Airey Lake supports largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie. Shore fishing is accessible from multiple points around the loop trail. A valid Mississippi fishing license is required. The lake is a smaller, quieter alternative to the larger recreation lakes in the region.
How long does the Airey Lake Trail take to walk?
The 3.5-mile loop takes most hikers 1.5 to 2 hours at a leisurely pace. The flat terrain and well-maintained trail make the loop easy. Birders often take longer, stopping frequently at the lake's edge for observations.