Naturally, a state named after the mighty Mississippi would have an abundance of opportunities for river recreation. You’ll find everything from multi-day Mississippi River adventures complete with meals and camping to relaxing short trips on a canoe, kayak, or inner tube. It’s the perfect way to have an incredible time while reconnecting with nature.
Merit Water Park is located on Rials Creek, a tributary of the Strong River. The park features a small, but surprisingly mighty, waterfall and an old-fashioned swimming hole. Since the creek is spring-fed, you’ll find the water to be refreshing even in the summer months. Be sure to visit D’Lo Water Park, while you’re there, too. It’s just a few miles away.
At the top of Dunn’s Falls, in Meridian, you can see what remains of a 19th-century grist mill that was once powered by a wheel built over the site’s 65-foot waterfall. A shallow stretch of the Chunky River lies at the bottom of the falls, offering opportunities for wading or tubing. Be prepared to walk a little to get to deeper water and be advised that the trek down to the river is a steep one.
The mighty Mississippi River is America’s original superhighway, stirring the imagination of great explorers, adventurers, and authors for centuries. Clarksdale-based Quapaw Canoe Company offers a perfect way to enjoy the river, with full-service river expeditions, from short trips to multi-day journeys, all customized to suit your interests.
The Pascagoula is the largest free-flowing river in the contiguous United States. The Pascagoula River Audubon Center serves as a gateway to this majestic river, with more than 70,000 acres of land, preserved for public use and endowed with ample wildlife and natural beauty. Kayak rentals are available for trips up to three hours.
Black Creek is recognized as a National Wild & Scenic River thanks to its natural, cultural, and recreational value. The creek, which is located within the De Soto National Forest, offers six launch points for canoes with rentals available from local providers. Primitive camping is allowed, and foot trails near the river are available for hiking.
The Bogue Chitto (pronounced Boga Chitta) takes its name from Choctaw words meaning “big creek” and, indeed, it’s a perfectly sized small river for recreation. With its clear, cool water and shady tree-lined banks, the Bogue Chitto is ideal for tubing. Rentals are available at Paradise Ranch RV Resort in Tylertown and other spots along the river.
The Okatoma River (also called Okatoma Creek) takes its name from the Choctaw words for “shining water,” possibly due to the gentle class-1 rapids found along its southern stretches. The river is one of the state’s most popular destinations for kayaking and canoeing, with rentals available at Okatoma Outdoor Post and Seminary Canoe Rental.