Jackson County on the Gulf Coast – Bayous, Nature and History

Jackson County in the U.S. state of Mississippi lies on the Gulf Coast and combines impressive marshlands, waterways, cycling routes and historic sites. If you are looking for a vacation rental or holiday home for your trip, you can choose where to stay based on your preferred experiences: nature observation, paddling excursions, cycling, regional history or art can each give the trip a different rhythm.

Bayous, Marshlands and Rare Wildlife Sightings

A distinctive nature experience is the Davis Bayou Blueway. The 1.5-mile recreational water trail connects Davis, Stark and Halstead Bayou. In the Davis Bayou Area, paths and boardwalks lead to overlooks above the bayous, where you can observe wildlife. The Blueway is federally protected within the Gulf Islands National Seashore and showcases an untouched example of the unique, productive and declining salt marsh ecosystem.

The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge is another option for nature-focused days. It is considered the last remaining place where the endangered Mississippi sandhill crane can be observed. The visitor center explains the surrounding area with interactive exhibits and a twelve-minute film. Guided crane tours are generally offered from late fall through late winter; whether they take place depends on staffing.

Different travel plans can also be combined on the water. The Pascagoula River Blueway extends for 10 miles and offers paddling opportunities for people with different levels of experience. Several access points provide options for beginners and for anyone looking for shorter trips. Year-round, Eco Tours of South Mississippi offers boat tours through swamps and marshlands on the Pascagoula River. Day trips also go to the barrier islands of Horn Island, Petit Bois Island and Sand Island.

Cycling with Scenery and Local History

The Live Oaks Bicycle Route in Ocean Springs is a 15.5-mile loop. It connects the Davis Bayou Area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore with the Old Louisville and Nashville Train Depot. Maps of this route are available at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station and the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce. The Historic Pascagoula Bike Trail was established to give residents and visitors the opportunity to take a historical city tour by bicycle. The trailhead sign is located in Lighthouse Park on Fredric Street; on the second Saturday of each month, a group meets there for a group ride.

Those who enjoy varying their days can combine cycling routes with nature and cultural attractions. Shepard State Park in Gautier offers hiking opportunities as well as a competition-level archery range. The Pascagoula River Audubon Center, on the other hand, is temporarily closed while the building undergoes structural and cosmetic repairs.

History, Architecture and Art

The LaPointe-Krebs House was built in 1757 and is the oldest scientifically confirmed surviving structure between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachians. Its significance is both colonial and Indigenous. The adjacent museum serves as an interpretive center for the history of Pascagoula and Jackson County. At Historic Krebs Cemetery and the adjacent LaPointe-Krebs House, the Jackson County Historical and Genealogical Society holds a living history reenactment every year in late October, commemorating the mourning of notable figures from Mississippi.

Another notable testament to the region’s coastal history is the Round Island Lighthouse. It was built in 1859; its hurricane-damaged remains were moved to the mainland in Pascagoula in 2010. Following extensive restoration completed in 2015, the lighthouse was opened to the public. Visitors are welcomed on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In Ocean Springs, the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center is housed in a historic public school building dating from 1927. The Ocean Springs Museum of History is located on the second floor. The Gautier Historic Schoolhouse, meanwhile, is a one-room schoolhouse built in the early 1920s for African American children during segregation. The Charnley-Norwood House is listed as Element No. 2 in the Sullivan-Charnley Historic District, which was added to the National Register on April 20, 1987. The Walter Anderson Museum of Art aims to foster lifelong curiosity and a connection to the natural world through the art of Walter Anderson and related artists.

Traditional events can also shape your travel planning: the Jackson County Fair traditionally takes place during the third week of October.

Places for Further Orientation

For help finding suitable local pages, you can also visit Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Moss Point, Gautier and Latimer. For further regional orientation, see the pages for Lauderdale, Jones and Simpson County.

For the overarching travel overview: Mississippi.