Mississippi

explore like never before

Get Custom Travel guides packed with local tips
Nature|Parks & Gardens

Flowood Nature Park In Mississippi Is So Hidden Most Locals Don’t Even Know About It

Flowood Nature Park in Mississippi offers scenic walking trails, educational opportunities, and picnic spots.

Published Aug 24, 2021

Written by 

Daniella DiRienzo

It’s not just Mississippi’s state parks that are brimming with perks. There are lots of great city parks, too – and Flowood Nature Park is one of them! The perfect place to get in touch with nature, it boasts beautiful sights, as well as a walking trail, educational opportunities, picnic spots, and more.

Hiding in plain sight, Flowood Nature Park is located behind Flowood Elementary School.

A group of people walking on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by trees in a sunny outdoor setting.
Mac West/Google

At 40 acres, it’s not the biggest park, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in the perks department.

advertisement
A bronze statue of a boy in a cap, playfully crouching among greenery in a park setting.
Jason Woods/Google

A lake – complete with a fountain – is one of first things park-goers see.

A serene lake scene with a fountain, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky, viewed from a wooden deck.
Amy S/TripAdvisor

However, there’s much more to the park than meets the eye.

Six ducks swimming in a calm, reflective body of water.
Grayson Smith/Google

Luckily, a paved walking trail makes it easy to explore the park…and all its perks.

View from a porch with birdhouses, overlooking a serene landscape with trees and a pond in the background.
Jorge Balderas/Google

Relatively flat and just 1 mile in length, the trail is suitable for all ages.

A wooden bridge curves through a lush green park, surrounded by trees and sunlight.
Ryan Moore/Google

It begins at the parking lot and runs around the lake and into a heavily wooded area.

advertisement
A twisted tree stands among tall green trees in a lush forest, with a carpet of brown leaves on the ground.
Jason Woods/Google

Native trees and flowers line the path, making for a stroll that’s as scenic as it is peaceful.

A vibrant display of pink azalea flowers in a lush green forest setting.
Sourav Dutta/Google

And since the trail is heavily shaded, it’s a delight throughout the year.

A wooden bridge leads through lush green trees to a winding path by a serene pond.
Jason Woods/Google

Along the way, there are plenty of signs to point you in the right direction. There are also informative signs, identifying the plants and wildlife that fill the park.

Signpost indicating a nature trail, surrounded by lush green trees in a forested area.
Jason Woods/Google

Wooden benches and picnic spots can also be found throughout the 1-mile trail, providing plenty of chances to stop and soak in the sights.

A serene park pathway surrounded by greenery and flowers, with a statue and benches inviting visitors to relax.
Jorge Balderas/Google

For more information, call the Flowood Parks and Recreation office at (601) 992-4440. You can also visit the City of Flowood website.

So, did you know about this nature park in Mississippi? Have you ever visited? If so, what’d you think? Know of another hidden park? Tell us!

advertisement

Looking for another Mississippi park to add to your bucket list? Click here.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Iconic National Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi Everyone Should Visit Once in Their Lifetime

The Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful sprawling wetland of protected land that offers up great hiking and wildlife-spotting opportunities.

Published Nov 12, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

As anyone who has spent much time here can attest, there are a lot of beautiful places in Mississippi. Our state has a great variety of wetlands, forests, canyons, and lakes. With twenty-four state parks and nine National Park sites, you don't ever have to go too far to find a historic location where you can get in touch with nature. One of our favorites is the beautiful Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge that's along the Alabama border. It's got limited public access, but we're lucky enough to have a few entry points in the Jackson County area. Moss Point is home to the Grand Bay Coastal Resources Center's visitor center, which is a great place to begin your exploration of the refuge. The visitor center's displays will provide plenty of information about the history of the refuge and the varied flora and fauna that reside here.

advertisement
alt
Valerie DePalma/AllTrails

I find wetlands to be so fascinating. The water here isn't saltwater or freshwater, but rather a brackish mix of the two. This is where the waters from the Escatawpa River meet up with water from the Mississippi Sound, forming an estuary. The plants and animals supported by this type of ecosystem are incredibly varied, making this a great place for nature lovers to keep their eyes peeled for birds and even carnivorous plants like pitcher plants and sundews.

The refuge currently spans more than 10,000 acres in its entirety, and if you visit near the Moss Point access area, you'll enjoy trails like the Grand Bay Savanna Trail. This year-round hike is completely flat and only about 1.5 miles in length, making it a great option for those exploring with kids. The loop trail includes a boardwalk that takes you through the refuge's sprawling pine savanna forest, which is one of the largest in the country. The habitat is considered highly endangered and we're so glad that it's now part of a protected wildlife refuge that prevents the area from being developed.

alt
Ronnie Parrish/AllTrails

The bayous and maritime forests here support a number of fascinating bird species, including the colorful painted bunting. Visit in spring or summer and you might even spot ospreys nesting in the power lines. American alligators and gopher tortoises also reside in the refuge. In the warm months, many of the fields are dotted with wildflowers, but the refuge is open year-round and has plenty to see, no matter the season.

alt
Ronnie Parrish/AllTrails

Be aware that if you head out after heavy rains, the area can get pretty muddy, so make sure to bring waterproof footwear.

This is truly one of the state's most stunning gems and it's a fascinating place everyone should visit. For more information, check out the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website or our friends at AllTrails.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Experiences

The Audubon Center in Mississippi Where You’ll See More Than 300 Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

The Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Mississippi is one of the best places in the state for birdwatching.

Published Oct 24, 2024

Written by 

Jackie Sutherlin

I don’t know when it happens, but one day, you’ll wake up and become a birdwatcher. For me, it happened around 35. I’m not complaining, though; I truly enjoy the symphony of sounds that come from the songbirds I feed every day. Luckily, Mississippi has plenty of opportunities for birdwatching—including the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Mississippi.

advertisement

The Pascagoula River is a gateway for nature lovers. Not only is it the largest free-flowing river in the contiguous United States, but its unique ecosystem enables thousands of species to thrive—including over 300 species of birds. 

Aerial view of winding waterways through a marshland, surrounded by golden grasses and soft sunlight.
Aerial view of the Pascagoula River Delta in southeastern Mississippi.

Clocking in at over 80 miles long, the Pascagoula River is an important nesting ground for migratory birds. Depending on the time of year you visit, your adventure could be met with any number of the 300 species that call this area home during the year. 

A small bird with a bright yellow body and black cap perched on a branch, surrounded by blurred greenery.
Hooded Warblers breed in mature deciduous forest with a dense understory of mountain laurel, rhododendron, viburnum, and spicebush up to 3,600 feet. They spend the winter in lowland tropical forest, scrub, and brushy fields.

Warblers are two of my favorite species, and they have some lovely melodic tunes for you. Pictured above is a hooded warbler, but they’re not the only warblers singing their sweet tunes here…

A small bird with a black and yellow striped body perched on a thin branch, surrounded by green foliage.
The magnolia warbler is a member of the wood warbler family Parulidae.

…this friendly fellow above is the magnolia warbler. Take a listen to how each warbler sounds. Do you think you could tell the difference if you were wandering through the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Mississippi? It’s such a slight difference; I’m not sure I could identify them by just their sounds alone! Guess I have a new goal this year.

A bird with outstretched wings skims over calm water, reflecting its image in the serene surroundings.
Swallow-tailed kite (Elanoides forficatus). In the summer months, kites gather by the hundreds to forage and roost before migrating to South America. They drink and wash in flight. Beak touching water. Photographed in south Florida, USA. (Photo by Carlos A Carreno/c3.photos via Getty Images)

Other notable birds that utilize the Mississippi Flyway are the Swallow-tailed Kite and the Bald Eagle. Watching a kite fly down into the water is some of the best television you could watch. 

Perhaps my favorite bird found around the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Mississippi is the Hooded Merganser. Look at this beautiful thing! Mergansers are the only ducks in the center that eat fish, and they’re also the most elusive. You can usually catch them in wooded ponds and swampy areas that tend to get overlooked. They’ve developed excellent underwater vision, which helps them swim down to catch tasty snacks like fish and crawfish.

Mergansers are migratory, but the southern variety tends to set up shop year-round in the Mississippi Delta area, so you’ve got a chance to see one all year long. 

A male hooded merganser swimming on calm water, showcasing its distinctive crest and striking black and white plumage.
Sergio Johansen/500px Collection via Getty Images

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to birdwatching at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Mississippi. Herons and pelicans are also fairly common residents, though I know those don’t feel as special, considering you can see them as you’re driving on the interstate. 

advertisement

If you’ve ever been to the Pascagoula River Audubon Center, share your experience with us! What’s your favorite bird that you’ve seen (or heard) here?

If you want to take your birdwatching to the next level, you might want to start looking into photography. Pair your camera body with a nice zoom lens, and with a little patience, you might end up with an award-winning photo!

Read on to check out some of our favorite pumpkin patches in Mississippi. 

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Nature

This Natural Wonder in North Carolina Is the Definition of a Hidden Gem

by Kelly Carroll
on Nov 14
Walking path in the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in North Carolina
Food
Restaurants

The off-the-Beaten-Path Restaurant in North Carolina That Is Worth the Day Trip

by Beth Copenhaver
on Nov 14
alt
Food

The New Louisville Location of Locals Food Hub and Pizza Pub Brings Fresh, Local Eats to a Food Desert

by Kelly Carroll
on Nov 14
Pizzas from a Louisville restaurant called Locals Food Hub and Pizza Pub.
Food
Bars & Nightlife

This Family-Owned Cidery in Lexington Is the Place to Be on a Chilly Evening

by Kelly Carroll
on Nov 14
Three glasses of Wise Bird Cider Co. apple cider on a wooden surface.
Food
Bakeries & Dessert

The Decadent Treats at This Dairy-Free Ice Cream Parlor in New Jersey Are My New Favorite Indulgence

by Raymond Goldfield
on Nov 14
alt