Not every hike has to make it to the highpoint of a state.  In fact, living on the Gulf Coast, most hikes do not have much of an elevation gain at all. However, the marshes that many of the trails traverse provide awesome views that cannot be found in many places of the United States.  Other places have other diverse and scenic areas as well.  As I go through and discover more of these trails, I’ll add some information and photos about them as well.

Shepard State Park

I’ve only visited this park in Gautier, Mississippi, once, but I enjoyed my time there.  There are quite a few trails in the area, and it goes through some marshland to provide great views.  The trails are far from challenging, but they make for a great place to take young children for a hike.  The park also has playgrounds, grills, and a disc golf course to make for a full day of excitement.

Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge

Located in Lacombe, Louisiana, just outside of Slidell, the Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge provides multiple areas for all sorts of outdoor activities. Heading out on Boy Scout Road will provide a 4.5 mile walk through many different different habitats.  Unfortunately, I arrived quite late in the day to this area, and I’ll have to make a return trip to see everything it has to offer.

Gulf Islands National Seashore: Davis Bayou

A national park that runs along Davis Bayou in Ocean Springs does not provide many trails for exploration, but what can be found on the trails are exciting.  A one-mile nature walk provides great learning opportunities for adults and children alike.  Of great interest to children is the visitors’ center which comes with all sorts of sights, sounds and smell to enjoy.