Hattiesburg: Fun, Sun, and Adventure – Your Perfect Mississippi Getaway

Are you an outdoor enthusiast looking for fun things to do in Hattiesburg, Mississippi? Between glamping, biking, kayaking and exploring everything in between, Hattiesburg is the city you’ve been looking for. Join us as we explore the outdoor attractions in Hattiesburg that could fill your weekend (or more!!).

​​Luxury camping in a small resort

Every successful expedition requires a good base camp. A place where you can go out and explore, but come back to a comfortable place to sleep. Longleaf Piney Resort It's so much more than that. It's an adventure in itself.

Longleaf Piney Resort is a glamping ground featuring five tiny homes, each with a different floor plan. It’s close enough to town that you can go anywhere, but far enough away that you can feel the nature around you. Even if you’re not into horseback riding, the resort offers a glamping experience, like roasting marshmallows over a fire and then relaxing in your air-conditioned bed. There are also camping games like disc golf, cornhole, and axe throwing. You can even hang out in one of their hammocks without doing anything at all.

If you want to bike along the Trace Trail, Longleaf Piney Resort is located at mm-10, which is a good way to break up the trip. They have a selection of free bikes available, including mountain bikes if you want to try out the nearby mountain bike trails. Jackson Station (mm-7). They've even started offering e-bike rentals if you want a little boost in cycling. long leaf trail.

Longleaf Trail Ride

If you’re a bike enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of the 44-mile Longleaf Trace. It’s a Rails-to-Trails Hall of Fame designated trail and a very enjoyable ride. The Trace features smooth pavement the entire way, making it suitable for any type of bike.

I recommend doing this trail in two days from your base camp at the resort. I recommend heading north toward Prentice on Saturday and south toward downtown on Sunday, so you can put your longest day of riding first and give yourself the most time in the saddle. If you’re serious about doing a 90-mile weekend, you need to be an experienced rider. If you just want to try part of the trail, plan on doing two days, 20 miles, then flipping the first day in Sumrall.

Here are some thoughts after riding the Longleaf Trace, in no particular order:

• The turnoff at Carson Station isn't bad if you're riding out and back. You can avoid the 300 foot climb up the hills when you exit Prentice and a major road crossing on RT-184.
• Biking on Mobile Street in Hattiesburg isn't bad either. The stretch to Chen Park is more of an urban jaunt than a dedicated bike path.
• Bring a credit card and grab a drink from the vending machines at the Gateway Trailhead, Sumrall, or Prentiss. It's a cheap and convenient way to give yourself a drink while you're on the trail.
• Connecting to downtown via the University of Southern Mississippi campus is a good commute.
• Start early, as Mississippi weather is hot in the summer.

Kayaking on the Okatomah River

Okatoma Creek is the best commercially supported rafting trip in Mississippi because it has a little bit of everything from several Class I rapids to sandy beaches for picnics. The last descent before the first exit (the only Class II rapid in Mississippi) is a blast. We went with Okatoma Creek Canoe and Kayak, which has a large changing area, including showers. Depending on your riding plans, this could be a perfect half-day activity on your way out of town on Sunday.

We learned a few things while rafting the Okatoma River. It’s a simple river and great for beginners, but you can still have fun finding the perfect line. Here are some additional tips to help you enjoy your day:

• Start early (~8:00 – 9:00) if you want to enjoy the river on your own (and paddle all the way back to your car).
• Bring a pair of bungee cords to secure gear as the single boats have a storage area but no straps.
• Kayaks work better than canoes in low water.
• Expect no instructions at the launch point, so remember to aim to point the V away from you, and kayaks use double paddles.
• Rental kayaks are not self-emptying, so bring a small plastic cup to remove the water you will be taking in at several points in the river.
• If your boat is handling or tracking strangely, be sure to drain the water from the hull.

Kayaking the Pinebelt Blueway

The Pinebelt Blueway is a 52.3-mile series of paddling trails on the Leaf and Bouie Rivers. There are currently no commercial companies offering this trail, but hopefully more will come. The Leaf River is made up of one pristine white sandbar after another, and the Bouie River has some of everything that is good about paddling in Mississippi.

We arranged a trip up the Middle Bouie Trail, and it was a lot of fun. We got to Pep's Point and swam to Glendale Ave. The first two-thirds of the way took us through small rapids, small sand, and even a cypress tree or two. The character of the river changed after we passed under the I-59 bridge. It flattened out into two small lakes. The current here was slight, so you had to paddle in the calm water section, but this is also where we saw a bald eagle guarding the lakes. We had heard that some people had difficulty getting out of Glendale, but we found it easy; however, there is a section of bridge ruins below the exit that you may want to carry around if you continue downstream.

Given the length of the trail (7.8 miles), limited support, and about 2 miles of calm water, I wouldn't recommend this trail for new paddlers. There was nothing technical, but you need to be self-reliant to enjoy it here, including bringing plenty of water and sunscreen.

Explore Downtown Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg has the highest percentage of millennials in the South. That’s a higher percentage per capita than Charlotte or Atlanta, so it should come as no surprise that there’s a hip downtown feel. Even outdoor enthusiasts should take a moment to explore the public art along the Art Trail. We stopped by on Jen’s birthday Alley cats throw axe And the Cat Smash Room 5 On a weekend outdoors getaway. It's so much fun to smash an old laptop with a sledgehammer or drive an axe into a piece of wood. Who's done that? We should have included it in our guide to a romantic getaway in Hattiesburg.

Other notable landmarks in the city centre include:

• Happy hour at Porter's Public Tavern (Weekdays 3-6)
• Craft beer tours in Southern Brewery Prohypnosis
• Shopping in Lucky Rabbit (Weekends only)
• Axe Throwing Alley Cats
• smashing things in Cat Smash Room 5

Watch the sunset at Paul B. Johnson State Park

When it comes to romantic outdoor activities to do, how about watching the sunset over the water? Paul B. Johnson State Park On the beaches Lake JaegerYou can do it. The campground and main park area are on the west side of the lake, so you'll have to enter from the east side of Lake Drive and Hwy 49. You can take your pick of views, but we've nicknamed the little picnic shelter “Sunset Point” because of its perfect location. If you end up being late to the party (like us), you'll also find good views along the way.

As you head south on Highway 49, there are a number of other attractions to visit. Mississippi Armed Forces Museum The book includes short scenes that trace Mississippi's involvement in every major conflict in American history. There's also a surprisingly good story. Donanelles Bar & RestaurantAlthough it's nothing more than a roadside shack, they had the most delicious steaks we've had in a long time. You can combine these activities in the late afternoon to get out of the heat of the day.

Reflections on Fire

One of the benefits of glamping is that each tiny house has a kitchen, plus a refrigerator and air conditioning. You don’t have to bring out your old soul to cook meat over an open fire. However, if you choose to forgo your full kitchen at Longleaf Piney Resort, you can experience Hattiesburg’s stellar culinary scene. As travel writers, we feel a professional obligation to indulge in.

Here are our favorite dishes from our outdoor weekend in Hattiesburg:

• Donanelles Bar & Restaurant – 12 oz. New York strips seasoned with their own seasoning blend
• Shipley Donuts Bavarian donuts covered in chocolate and filled with cream.
• Barrel and barrel– Eddie's Deluxe Burger with mushrooms, bacon and Swiss cheese on a brioche bun
• Mercury Pizza – Hand-fired pizza with pepperoni and mushrooms
• Half shell oyster house – Crab and shrimp dip with Gulf shrimp, shredded crab meat, cheese and topped with a crust of Parmesan cheese, herbs and panko.
• Midtown – Avocado toast with roasted corn and feta cheese

Wrapping up fun things to do in Hattiesburg for boaters and street vendors

Whether you’re a paddler or a peddler, Hattiesburg is calling (and you should respond)! You’ve got a weekend (or two or three) of fun ahead of you with nearly 50 miles of bike trails and over 50 miles of paddling trails. You’re not in the middle of the wilderness, but that’s okay. In fact, it’s part of the fun. Hattiesburg’s urban scene, along with its food and artsy delights, can be a great complement to outdoor adventures. It’s like two trips in one – sweating and exploring in the foggy morning, then relaxing and unwinding in the evening hours. With a combination like that, it’s hard to go wrong!