Bear Creek is definitely among the best hidden gems in Mississippi. Not only is it green and serene, but it’s perfect for paddling. However, it’s actually not so hidden. In fact, it’s located in Tishomingo State Park, one of the most popular and best parks in Mississippi.
Tishomingo State Park is consistently revered as the best state park in Mississippi – and it’s well deserving of the title.
abhishek ganguly/Google
A huge part of the park’s appeal is its terrain. Because of its location in the foothills of the Appalachians, the grounds feature huge rock formations and waterfalls.
Rachel Fitzpatrick/All Trails
It’s not too surprising that the towering bluffs and flowing falls are what draw people to the park; after all, those things can’t really be found anywhere else in the state.
Lynne Blaylock/All Trails
However, the park’s most popular features often overshadow another of its amazing attributes – Bear Creek!
Brad Taft/All Trails
A scenic stream nestled within the park, Bear Creek is lined by sandstone bluffs, lush greenery, and a canopy of mixed hardwoods and pines.
Jeff & Tricia Barker/All Trails Its waters are clear and pristine, only adding to its beauty.
Paddling is a great way to enjoy Bear Creek.
Katie Ruth/All Trails Pretty calm, the creek features Class I rapids with long pools between, which is the perfect combination for a lazy float.
Tishomingo State Park actually facilitates canoe and kayak trips down the rocky-bottomed creek.
Jeff & Tricia Barker/All Trails The park provides everything you need (canoes, paddles, lifejackets, and transportation) for the 6.25-mile float, which typically takes about two to three hours to complete.
Floats are available seasonally, April – October (weather permitting).
Connie Hitt/All Trails The park suggests advance reservations, which you can make by calling Tishomingo State Park.
You don’t have to commandeer a canoe or kayak to admire Bear Creek’s beauty, though.
Sharon Somero/Flickr
Several of the park’s hiking trails wind right past Bear Creek, offering close-up vistas and lots of opportunities to sit down on the boulders that line the creek.
Katie Ruth/All Trails
abhishek ganguly/Google
Rachel Fitzpatrick/All Trails
Lynne Blaylock/All Trails
Brad Taft/All Trails
Jeff & Tricia Barker/All Trails
Its waters are clear and pristine, only adding to its beauty.
Katie Ruth/All Trails
Pretty calm, the creek features Class I rapids with long pools between, which is the perfect combination for a lazy float.
The park provides everything you need (canoes, paddles, lifejackets, and transportation) for the 6.25-mile float, which typically takes about two to three hours to complete.
Connie Hitt/All Trails
The park suggests advance reservations, which you can make by calling Tishomingo State Park.
Sharon Somero/Flickr
Well, what do you think? Are you ready to float down Bear Creek? Remember to reserve your canoe or kayak, which you can do by calling Tishomingo State Park at (662) 438-6914. Have any questions? You can call the park or visit the MDWFP website, which contains in-depth details about Tishomingo State Park.
So, did you know about Bear Creek? Ever explored it in person? As far as hidden gems in Mississippi go, how do you think it ranks? Know of any other pristine creeks or picturesque parks? Tell us.
Looking for more secret sites in Mississippi to explore? Check out this route we’ve mapped out. It leads to some of the best hidden gems in Mississippi.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Tishomingo State Park, 105 Co Rd 90, Tishomingo, MS 38873, USA
