Mississippi made Forbes' 2023 list of the best places to travel within the U.S., and it's easy to see why. It's got everything from rich, natural landscapes to significant Civil War history to Gulf Coast luxury casinos and hotels with beachside shopping. Within Mississippi's stunning landscapes lies the tiny town of Tishomingo, offering incredible views of the Appalachian Mountains and thriving outdoor recreation. Tishomingo State Park, a couple of miles out of town, also offers great climbing experiences,
with large boulders, vertical rock faces, and even a 50-foot roof crack (a rock formation with an almost horizontal overhang).
Tishomingo lies along Mississippi Highway 25, a few miles west of the Mississippi-Alabama border. It's a tiny town, supporting a local population of fewer than 500. The closest airports are the Tishomingo County Airport, 10 miles away in Belmont, or the Iuka Airport 13 miles away, but for commercial flights, your best option is the Huntsville International Airport in Huntsville, Alabama, about 100 miles away.
Despite its small size and off-the-beaten-path location, Tishomingo stands out for its stunning mountain views and outdoor activities. Situated at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains, the town provides easy access to places like Woodall Mountain (the highest elevation point in Mississippi) and the Natchez Trace Parkway. If you're looking for a great place to enjoy outdoor picnics, hike amazing trails, and explore Civil War history, Tishomingo is the place for you!
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Hike, Swim, And Fish In Tishomingo State Park
Mississippi state contains some truly beautiful natural areas, with large mountains, swampy lakes with ancient cypresses and unique trails, and dense woodland hikes. Tishomingo stands as a testament to all the things that make the state so beautiful, with towering rock formations, bubbling springs, crystal-clear waterfalls, and trails through dense, rich foliage.
Just over 2 miles from the center of Tishomingo lies Tishomingo State Park, created in 1935 and opened to the public four years later in 1939. The park offers unserviced and serviced camping options, with a large-group campsite, 14 unserviced campsites, 61 RV sites, six cabins, and one luxurious cottage. Some of the park's most popular activities include fishing at Bear Creek or Haynes Lake, hiking through one of the seven trails at the park, or taking a 6.25-mile canoe trip down Bear Creek. You can also check out the Swinging Bridge, a pedestrian bridge built across Bear Creek in 1938. Or, if roughing it out in nature isn't your thing, you can take advantage of the park's disc golf courses and the outdoor swimming pool (only in the summer and spring).
Rock climbing enthusiasts will particularly enjoy Jean's Overhang just past the Swinging Bridge, the most popular rock formation in the park and also the most challenging to climb. The rock peaks at around 50 feet and ends in a long, horizontal overhang that requires climbers to hang upside-down and parallel to the ground as they crawl toward the edge. While you do need a permit to go climbing in Tishomingo State Park (and you must have your own gear), they're readily available at the park office. Just like Mississippi's other underrated state park for adventure lovers, offering water sports and a secret waterfall, Tishomingo State Park is a nature lover's dream.
Join Local Celebrations And Explore Tishomingo County's Civil War History
If you prefer not to wade in ponds or hike through mud and grass, consider exploring the county's history instead. Just a short distance away from Tishomingo town lies Iuka, with museums and guided tours that explain the county's rich history. The most famous of these museums is the Old Tishomingo County Courthouse Museum, on Quitman Street near Mineral Springs Park. Built in 1870, the courthouse helped Iuka become known as the Marriage Capital of the South, thanks to Mississippi's lax rules on issuing marriage licenses. Previously, Iuka had virtually zero rules around who could get married or why — a stark contrast to surrounding states at the time that often required blood tests or waiting periods.
The courthouse no longer functions solely as a center for marriages; now, it also acts as a museum. Containing items from Chickasaw history and the Civil War, the museum is highly rated for its locally donated displays and friendly staff.
Depending on the time of year, you can also join the locals of Tishomingo to celebrate festivals and participate in events. With a majority Christian population, holidays like Christmas are widely celebrated across town. You can also take part in Iuka's Renaissance Day in the spring and the annual Iuka Heritage Festival in the summer.
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Read the original article on Islands.
