Visit these places to see 10 of the best scenic views in Mississippi

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4 days ago

When you think of scenic views, a lot of different places may come to mind. You may think of the Great Smokey Mountains, particularly during fall when the leaves change to a rainbow of colors. You may think of places like the Grand Canyon or possibly Lake Tahoe.
But what about Mississippi?
Mississippi is geographically diverse. From the flat land of the Delta to the hills of Northeast Mississippi to the pines of South Mississippi and out to the Barrier Islands, each area has a beauty of its own. Add in the rivers and creeks found everywhere in the state and the number of beautiful places is almost endless.
And scenic views in Mississippi aren't limited to those created by nature. People have had a hand in it, too.
This story is part of a new USA TODAY network project showcasing breathtaking -- and perhaps, underappreciated -- views throughout the United States. These are some of the most beautiful landmarks, scenic vistas and hidden gems you can truly treasure in your area.
[ Most Treasured Views in America: National | West | South | Middle America | Northeast ]
With so many different scenic views in Mississippi, it's difficult to say which are definitively the most beautiful, but here are 10 places in Mississippi that everyone should visit and enjoy.
Horn Island is truly a Mississippi gem and it offers a view of a largely undisturbed world. The island has been used for various purposes through the years such as a Chemical Warfare Service Quarantine Station by the U.S. Army in the 1940s, but most traces of human activity are now gone.
Horn is designated as a wilderness area and is a part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. It's popular among campers and boaters due to its natural state, solitude and clear green water.
In the 1950's it was a favorite place for renowned artist Walter Anderson. There, his models were birds, turtles, alligators and other wildlife that is abundant on the island. Those same animals along with the dunes, ponds, beaches and sunsets make for some of the most beautiful views found anywhere in the country.
Access is by boat only, but there are some businesses that offer trips to the island. Take everything you think you'll need for your trip because there are no facilities there.
The Mississippi Delta is located in the northwest portion of the state and is made up of 18 counties. It's an area that is culturally rich, and its flat land and rich soil make it the backbone of agriculture in Mississippi.
The area has largely been cleared to make way for huge fields where corn, soybeans and cotton are common crops, and the wide-open landscape provide views unique to that part of the state. Take a drive up US 61 from Vicksburg and you can soak it in as you pass rows of crops, tractors working in fields and maybe an old, abandoned church or two.
You'll also cross Deer Creek several times, which provided Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, inspiration for Kermit.
When you think of Biloxi, casinos, beaches, waves and great seafood probably come to mind, but just a few blocks north of US 90, there's a place with a quiet sense of beauty.
Located off Veterans Avenue, the Biloxi National Cemetery has a 54-acre footprint and is home to thousands of graves. The first burial took place there in 1934 and burials were limited to veterans who passed away at the Biloxi Veterans Affairs Hospital. Since, it has been made available to veterans who died elsewhere along with family members.
The rows of white headstones, manicured lawn and trees scattered about make for a beautiful view and even more so around Memorial Day when small American flags are placed at each grave.
The Mississippi River is the largest river in North America. It flows 2,350 miles from its source at Lake Itasca through the center of the continental US to the Gulf of Mexico.
The river offers an important shipping opportunity and barges filled with products are common sights. It's also important for wildlife. According to the National Park Service, 40% of migratory waterfowl in the nation and 60% of all birds in the US use the Mississippi River as a migratory flyway.
It is also a thing of beauty and provides some of the best views in the state. If you're boating on the river, its width and giant sand bars create scenes like no other in the state. From cities such as Greenville, Vicksburg and Natchez, the bridges crossing it add another layer to the view.
Windsor Ruins is possibly one of the best-known landmarks in Mississippi. The 23 Corinthian columns located near Port Gibson are the remains of what was once the largest antebellum home in the state and create a very striking view.
According to the National Park Service, Windsor was constructed between 1859 and 1861 by wealthy plantation owner Smith Coffee Daniell II. The cost at the time, including furnishings, was $175,000, which is estimated to be close to $5 million in today's dollars.
Daniell only enjoyed the luxurious home for a short while. He died just weeks after its completion. The mansion survived the Civil War, but tragedy struck in February of 1890 when the home was destroyed by fire.
The site is located on Rodney Road southwest of Port Gibson and northwest of Lorman, and if you visit the site, be sure to read the next segment.
If you Take Rodney Road fro Alcorn State University to Windsor Ruins, there's another interesting view. Kudzu covers almost everything in places and along with the rugged terrain, it creates an almost other-worldly view.
Kudzu is an invasive species native to Japan and China. According to The Nature Conservancy, it was first introduced in the U.S. in 1876 and was touted as an ornamental plant. It was later used to control erosion. However, it turned out to be a plant that gets out of control and kills almost all plants in its path.
If we'd only known then what we know now.
Good or bad, it can create a beautiful view so you may want to stop in a safe location, take a look and shoot a few photos.
While you're there, you may want to take a short drive to the ghost town of Rodney and see a church with a cannonball stuck in it.
Ocean Springs is no stranger to recognition. It was chosen by Southern Living as one of The 15 Most Adorable Small Towns For A Summer Getaway and also made their list of The 15 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns In The South in 2024. In 2023, it made the World Atlas list of 12 Cutest Small Towns in the Southern United States, too.
Its delicious dining, specialty shops and museums make it a wonderful place to spend a day or even longer and at the heart of it is Washington Avenue. The street runs through downtown and is lined with live oaks that provide shade year-round and also create one of the most scenic views in Mississippi.
If you go during the holiday season you're in for a special treat. Holiday lighting is placed on them and it creates a scene that is worthy of being on a post card, if you're old enough to remember those.
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Tishomingo State Park offers scenery like no other in the state. Visitors can hike along creeks and trails and see rock outcroppings, boulders and waterfalls.
In addition to beautiful views while walking, canoes are available for rent and visitors can experience the park's scenery while paddling on Bear Creek. The park is also one of the best places in the state to see fall color.
Because there is so much to see and do at the park, you'll probably want to stay a few days. Tent and RV camping spots are available as are cabins. There are also picnic areas that include pavilions, tables and grills.
For more information visit www.mdwfp.com.
Soil erosion doesn't seem like something that would turn an area into one of Mississippi's most scenic views, but at Red Bluff, that's exactly what's happened. Natural erosion from the Pearl River has formed a canyon and exposed beautiful red and orange soil and created a breathtaking view.
Visitors can take the 30-minute hike through the area and take in the sights, so be sure to have a camera. Hikers can also access the nearby Pearl River.
According to Visit Mississippi, finding Red Bluff can be a little tricky. Red Bluff is situated along MS 587 in Marion County, just northwest of Morgantown. Look for an alcove that is typically used for parking.
For more information, visit www.visitmississippi.org.
Fort Hill is a part of the Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg and it offers a view that goes on for miles. The high bluff located off Confederate Avenue overlooks the Yazoo Diversion Canal as well as the Port of Vicksburg and visitors can see miles into neighboring Louisiana on a clear day.
It was an important position during the Civil War because of its view of the Mississippi River below, but the river changed its course in 1876 during a flood, according to National Park Planner.
The location is also a favorite among bird-watchers during migration periods when countless birds pass through.
Of course, while you're there, you'll want to visit the rest of the park and also see the Civil War iron-clad gunboat USS Cairo.
Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi travel: 10 of the most beautiful scenic views