Sprawling across three states and covering 444 miles, the Natchez Trace Trail is full of epic trails to explore. The Rocky Springs section of the trail is a hidden gem of a trail that leads to a long-forgotten town, and it’s worth checking out. Lace up your boots, this trail in Mississippi is not a flip-flip type of trail.

The Rocky Springs Trail is about six miles long, and you’ll find it near Port Gibson, Mississippi.

It’s located at milepost 54.8 and is rated as a moderately difficult trail. It’s nothing too strenuous, but there are some ravines and steep sections that bump this trail up a notch on the difficulty scale.

The trail is named after the town that was once nearby.

There used to be a stream, called rocky spring, that ran through the area. Unfortunately, that stream dried up many years ago, but don't worry, this trail still includes a water feature.

Owens Creek Waterfall is along the trail, which is a great little spot to sit and enjoy a snack.

If you can time your hike after a rainfall, you'll be able to see the waterfall at its full potential.

At the end of the trail, you'll come to the town of Rocky Springs...

...or rather, what's left of it. The town of Rocky Springs was settled around 1790 and thrived for about 100 years. By 1860, the town had over 2,500 residents and seemed like it was well on its way to becoming a major city for Mississippi.

Unfortunately, Rocky Springs was hit with back-to-back blows that eventually brought an end to the town.

Many of the crops and buildings were destroyed during the Civil War. Following that, the town was hit by the Yellow Fever epidemic, which claimed the lives of many townspeople. The final blow was an infestation of boll weevils which destroyed what was left of the cotton farms.

By 1930, Rocky Springs was a ghost town.

The church and the cemetery are the only things that remain, along with fractured remnants here and there, like a rusted safe from the post office and a cistern.

If you'd like to extend your visit, the Rocky Springs Campground is nearby.

The trail is about six miles long, so even though it can be hiked in an afternoon, you may be tempted to extend your stay and spend a night sleeping under the stars.

Visit the National Park Service website for more information about the trail, and check out the Rocky Springs Campground website for rates and availability for camping opportunities. For more outdoor adventures, check out these abandoned places in Mississippi.