Here in Mississippi, fall foliage may not be as robust as in other places, but there are still vibrant leaves to be peeped. In fact, there are quite a few spots in the Magnolia State revered for their foliage – and Little Mountain Trail is one of them. Not only does the trail boast spectacular seasonal beauty, but at less than one mile, it’s short, too.

Little Mountain Trail is a 0.8-mile out-and-back trail that leads to the top of Little Mountain, the 2nd highest point in Mississippi.

The trail is in Jeff Busby Park, which is on the Natchez Trace Parkway at milepost 193.1.

A great place to spend the day outdoors, the park’s got lots of perks, including an 18-site campground, restrooms, informative exhibits, and picnic tables.

The park’s best feature, though, is Little Mountain and the overlook at its summit. From atop Little Mountain, on a clear day, you can see for about 20 miles – and the views only get better in the fall!

According to the National Park Service, Little Mountain is one of the best places to view foliage on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Under 1.5 miles roundtrip, hiking Little Mountain Trail will take about an hour; however, that doesn’t mean your leaf-peeping fun has to come to an end.

After your hike, you can spend some time exploring Jeff Busby Park.

Every autumn, the grounds come to life with hues of orange, red, and yellow, providing the perfect backdrop for everything from a picnic to a camp out.

Remember, this hike is best when foliage is as its peak, which, for 2021, should be in early November. For more information on Little Mountain Trail, as well as Jeff Busby Park, visit the National Park Service website.

So, did you know about Little Mountain Trail? Ever hiked it in the fall? If so, what’d you think of the views? Tell us!

This isn’t the only place in the state known for its colorful foliage. Click here to learn about the best times and places to view foliage in Mississippi.