Best 10 Nature Spots on the MS Gulf Coast
Hanging out at Old Spanish Fort
This post is for my nature lovers!
If you’re someone who enjoys getting outdoors to explore, seek some inner peace, or to find divine inspiration, the Mississippi Gulf Coast has many opportunities for you to get up close and personal with its natural beauty. Of course there’s the gulf coast itself that offers beautiful and sunny beach days, but don’t forget about the rivers and marshes that can also create memorable experiences!
Read below to discover the best 10 nature spots on the MS Gulf Coast (outside of the beach) that offer mini secret pockets of peace!
Table of Content
Entrance to Birding Pier in Pascagoula
1. Magnolia Birding Pier - Pascagoula, MS
During the day, downtown Pascagoula is very busy with traffic flowing through to the public library, local schools, small shops and many businesses. However, within all of the hustle and bustle lies a sweet nook of nature at the Magnolia Birding Pier.
Located directly across from the Jackson County Tax Collector building, one can easily park and retreat to the pier for some down time.
Before entering the Birding Pier, you’ll find a beautiful pathway that sits above a shallow marsh. As you walk the path, pay close attention to the surrounding brush. You might just find some movement happening from the scampering of a squirrel or birds!
Once you reach the end of the pier, stand or sit under the roofed seating area that looks out onto the bayou. And as the name suggests, look over the railing to do some “birding” of local water birds hanging out in the marsh. Maybe you’ll see a heron gliding lazily up high or a family of turtles wading quietly in the water below. Because the Magnolia Birding Pier is away from the main streets of the city, it’s truly a beautiful and serene spot to visit.
2. La Pointe/Krebs Museum - Pascagoula, MS
Sunset on Pascagoula River
On the west side of Pascagoula, behind Lake Elementary School, sits the La Pointe Krebs House & Museum (also known as Old Spanish Fort).
Old Spanish Fort is a historic building that has stood since 1757, and is the oldest standing structure in the state of Mississippi. The magic, however, is what sits directly in front of the Museum, and that is Krebs Lake and the Pascagoula River.
To get close to the water’s edge, turn onto discreet lil’ Hickory Street and you’ll drive right up to the lake and river.
There’s ample parking for your car, so get out and take a walk along the newly repaired piers. Watch as fish jump in and out of the water and notice the few jet skis darting about in the distance. Hearing the water lapping up to shore is something quite special, so take a moment to venture over to this sliver of magic.
3. Lighthouse Park - Pascagoula, MS
Amphitheater at Lighthouse Bridge
Underneath the Pascagoula-Gautier Bridge sits a quiet oasis for walkers, tennis players, and fishermen. In recent years, Lighthouse Park has been remodeled with beautiful architecture and winding walking paths surrounded by palms.
Along with a tennis court and swinging benches, there’s also a small amphitheater that offers opportunities for outdoors entertainment. And just across the water, you can spot customers hanging out at Brady’s, a popular steak and seafood restaurant.
Continue exploring the area, and you’ll see several piers to lay out on or to launch your boat from. Here, you might spot the Great Blue Heron waiting to see a fisherman’s catch of the day.
There’s much to explore around the park area, but if you’re feeling extra adventurous you might end up coming across the Fallen Live Oak Tree on Pine Street, just a couple of blocks away. It’s a beautiful large Oak with thick branches cascading all along the ground. Around the tree, there are a few benches for people to sit on, as well as a large green lawn that beckons for folks to bring a blanket and spread out. Don’t worry too much about the sun, as the big beautiful tree offers a great amount of shade and protection. Stop by after a long day to unwind, relax, or walk.
4. Riverfront Park - Moss Point, MS
Pier along the Escatawpa River
In the river city of Moss Point, the Riverfront is known as the city’s hot spot for outdoors main events, but on a quiet day, it transforms into a place of peace and serenity.
The Riverfront sits at the edge of the Escatawpa River, and has grass areas, benches, and even a medium-sized stage for events and activities.
A long winding pier moves along the river, allowing you to take walks close by the water. This is a place where many people get out to go for short walks, to launch their boats, or to simply sit and look out at the vast stretching river and clouds overhead.
As I mentioned, this park is known as the place where many of the city’s events occur such as the River Jamboree and Christmas by the River. Whether you’re looking to host an activity by the water or just need to take some personal time, the Riverfront is indeed a beautiful place to stop by.
5. Pascagoula River Audubon Center - Moss Point, MS
Not too far from the Riverfront is the Pascagoula River Audubon Center, which offers a hub of opportunities to dive into the coast’s natural secrets! The center sits along the Pascagoula River and provides nature-based learning programs for all ages.
One of my favorite things to do at the Audubon is to spend a day kayaking along the river. The center offers kayak and pedal boat rentals for a reasonable price for up to three hours - perfect for an outdoors date with nature! If you decide to get out on the water, make sure to bring a waterproof dry bag to safely store your belongings in, as well as bottles of water to stay hydrated.
Inside the center, there is a small museum that offers local wildlife on display, and a gift shop to purchase souvenirs for your visit. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and include a native botanical garden, local animals, and a nature discovery garden for children. If you’re looking for an education-based experience in nature, stopping by the Audubon Center is the place to go!
6. Gautier City Park Boat Ramp - Gautier, MS
View of Pascagoula River from Gautier
There are several opportunities to get personal with nature in the small city of Gautier. But one of my favorite stops is a spot that lies a little past the George W. Marin City Park, and that’s the Gautier City Park Boat Ramp.
Though the name of this location implies that you need a boat to visit, that’s not at all the case. The boat ramp is stationed next to a long pier that extends out to the Pascagoula River.
There are various places to sit under with protection to shade you from the intensity of the southern sun. Here, you’ll find all types of wildlife hanging out in their natural habitats - from blue crabs, to herons, to turtles, and small schools of fish.
This is a beautiful hidden gem that could be missed by the vibrancy of the City Park, so drive just a minute further to find it. After some serene walking on the pier, maybe head on over to the park and let your children, loved ones, or even yourself have some playground fun!
7. Shearwater Park - Ocean Springs, MS
The deck to Ocean Springs’ harbor
It’s easy to miss this peaceful nook that’s located near downtown Ocean Springs with all of the hustle and bustle that goes on in that area. However, simply place Shearwater Park in your GPS and you’ll be navigated away from the live music, delicious eateries towards a small strip of paradise.
Shearwater Park is located near the Ocean Springs’ harbor and has the teeniest parking lot that makes it almost invisible to the eye. But once you’ve laid eyes on it, you’ll never miss it again.
The park is a small circular lawn of green with a path that takes you among some beautiful, large trees. Just beyond the lawn, though, is a small dock that sits right at the edge of the harbor.
Looking out, you can easily see the many boats docked waiting to set sail. Sit on the bench or lay out a blanket here if you’d like, and enjoy the natural buzzing of wildlife. Look up to spot a family of pelicans heading towards the coast, or gaze and find the hawk that’s circling high in the sky.
This is a family friend spot to hang out for a bit if you’re visiting the Ocean Springs area, and need a bit of down time before heading back into the social scene.
8. Popps Ferry Causeway Park - Biloxi, MS
Sunset in Biloxi
Another easy to miss haven of nature is the Popps Ferry Causeway Park that sits adjacent to the Popps Ferry Bridge.
If ever you’ve driven over that bridge, you might have looked out onto the water and noticed fishermen casting their rods while standing on floating land in the middle of Little Big Lake.
The causeway is a hot spot for fishermen, and offers up close opportunities to catch some fresh seafood. The entrance to this strip of serenity is at the northern entrance of the bridge at the intersection of Causeway Drive and Popps Ferry Road. The causeway is narrow, yet offers ample space for your car to maneuver easily onto the strip. Find a place to park to relax and observe the scenery. Depending on the time you arrive, you might even catch the beautiful Gulf Coast sunset.
9. Lighthouse Park - Biloxi, MS
Elevated trail at Lighthouse Park in Biloxi
Like Pascagoula, Biloxi also has a Lighthouse Park. This park is small, but offers an elevated nature trail that is surrounded by native plants and wildlife.
The path flows in a circle and isn’t too long to walk around, but this short walk makes you feel like you’ve plunged into an alternate reality and away from the beach.
Part of the path ducks off into the residential area behind the park, so you’re able to notice children, families, and pets hanging out in their yards.
True to Biloxi’s city slogan “There’s more to learn at every turn,”, the nature trail offers informational pit stops to help you identify the local plants and animals that live near the path.
Enjoy this little nugget of nature that sits in the mix of the large city of Biloxi!
10. Jones Park/Moses Pier - Gulfport, MS
Jones Park is a large park that hosts many events for the Gulfport and coastal community. It’s most known for the Gulfport Harbor Lights Festival that occurs annually for the Christmas holidays. But when there isn’t an event planned, the grounds are still beautiful to walk around and enjoy.
There are several pavilions in the park that offer smooth concrete areas for rollerblading, if you’re into that like I am ;) However, there’s another significant part of Jones Park that makes this spot really special, and that’s Moses Pier that lies just beyond the park entrance.
Before arriving at Moses Pier, there’s a lengthy drive that juts out into the gulf and is adjacent to the harbor. Find a parking spot and pause to sit in your car and hear the ocean sounds. Or, get out and walk along the sand to find a small cove to splash.
Many people host intimate beach parties here or take their dogs for walks along the paths. Drive a bit further and you’ll find the fishermen hooking their bait and casting their nets, sitting on their coolers, sipping beers, and enjoying the radio tunes. Visiting Jones Park is a completely magical space that offers you a deeper plunge into the coast’s beach scenes.
Have you visited any of these nature spots along the MS Gulf Coast? If so, which one is your favorite to frequent? Let me know in the comments below :)