Hike the Tuxachanie Trail to Airey Lake
Details
Distance
11.5 miles
Elevation Gain
370 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Added by Josh & Michele
While hiking along the Tuxachanie Trail through southern Mississippi’s Desoto National Forest, hikers will encounter a variety of habitats, each one offering wildflower viewing opportunities in season.
The Tuxachanie trail crosses a variety of wetland locations including sloughs, creeks, ponds, pitcher-plant bogs, and lowland swamps. There are bridges and wooden planks to aid in crossing most of these wetland environments. I only came across one crossing that seemed rather sketchy, and that one was an old fallen log with a rope to act as a handrail. Intermixed with these wet habitats are acres of dry, sandy longleaf pine woods. There is even a small beech-magnolia forest about a mile from the trailhead.
Overnight primitive camping is permitted, but campsites must be 100 feet away from the trail to preserve its natural character. Drinking water and restrooms are not provided along the trail but can be found at Airey Lake Recreation Area.
Though this trail can be hiked year-round, the best season to hike it is in the Spring when the wildflowers are in bloom. Wildflower viewing can be done from mid to late March with early blooming shrubs and wildflowers such as horse-sugar, star-anise, wild azalea, and yellow jessamine. There is also an abundance of vegetation as well. In the creeks and drains crossing the trail, you can find abundant golden club. In the longleaf pine forest, you can spot patches of saw palmetto. The bogs are home to Stokes’ aster, butterworts, sundews, yellow pitcher plants, parrot’s beak pitcher plants, and various wild orchids.
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Reviews
Leave a ReviewLong, quiet trail.
Its a long hike to the lake, and if you're looking for some solitude, this is the trail for you. You can unwind and reflect along the trail and then celebrate with a good lunch and watch the ducks once you make it to the lake.
3.0
Great Terrain
My wife and I took our 9 month old on the trail, and it was thoroughly enjoyable. The terrain was quite varied, giving us great changes of scenery throughout.
4.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.