With year-round mild temperatures, it’s always a great time to get out and go for a hike on one of our many trails.
Whether you’re looking for a short walk in town or a longer walk in the woods, you’ll find the perfect spot here in Oktibbeha County.
Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
You can explore this amazing wilderness area that is only 20 minutes from Starkville year-round. There are two boardwalks for viewing wildlife on the water, three overlooks for great views of waterfowl and white-tailed deer, and 5 trails ranging in length.
For a short hike in bottomland hardwoods along a creek, try the Beaver Dam Trail. It is a round trip of two miles and follows the banks of Oktoc Creek.
The Woodpecker Trail traverses a stand of loblolly pines where you might see the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Informative signs about the plants and animals of this habitat are scattered throughout the trail. This is a very short trail and takes about 20 minutes to complete.
The Scattertown Trail is a 1.75-mile loop that crosses upland hardwoods forests and hills. You can get a great view of the surrounding terrain from the top of the ridges, which is perfect for seasonal color changes.
If you are interested in prairie habitat, the Morgan Hill Overlook and Prairie Trail are a great option.
Lynn Lane Muli-purpose Path
If you would like to get some exercise in town, try the Lynn Lane Multi-purpose path. This 1.7 mile, 10-foot wide path begins at McKee Park and travels to Locksley Way and eventually to Mississippi State University. It’s the perfect to get outdoors and get moving.
Oktibbeha County Bike/Walk Map
This comprehensive map shows bike paths, bike lanes, bike routes, shared use paths, pedestrian paths, and rural routes in Oktibbeha County and Starkville.
Nearby Trails
Choctaw Lake Recreation Area
Just 9 miles south of Ackerman, you’ll find Choctaw Lake inside the Tombigbee National Forest. With four trails ranging from 1.2 miles to 1.6 miles in length, you can view the lake, pine and hardwood forests, and several creeks.
Plymouth Bluff Nature Trails
At the Plymouth Bluff Environmental Center, you can find 5 trails traversing through the bluffs of the for a total of 4 miles.
Columbus Riverwalk & Trail
This paved trail is 4.4 miles long and follows the Tenn-Tom Waterway with scenic views of the water. It’s a wide trail and is used by walkers, joggers, and bikers.
