Mississippi River Adventures
The word “Mississippi” is an old Native American term that simply means “Big River” and in the Mississippi Delta, it also means “Big Fun”!
There are dozens of places to view, interact with, or even take a trip on the world famous river right here in the Delta and we’re going to name them here, going from Tunica all the way down to Vicksburg. And we’ll also talk about some outdoor Delta adventures that you can have along the way!
Most of these stops are on, or right off, Highway 1, also known as The Great River Road - a roughly 3,000 mile path that stretches from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico along the Mississippi River.
Tunica Riverfront - Tunica, Mississippi
Tunica RiverPark & Museum lets visitors explore and understand the rich history of the Mississippi Delta and America’s greatest river. Since reopening in 2012 the Mississippi River Museum inside the RiverPark now offers multiple interactive attractions and seasonal exhibits featuring different aspects of Delta culture.
Visit www.TunicaRiverPark.com for more information about museum exhibits or to learn more about venue options.
Tunica “Riverboat” Casinos - Robinsonville, Mississippi
Did you know that all the casinos in Tunica are on the Mississippi River? The law that allowed gaming in Mississippi required that the casinos be located literally on the river. Maybe the notion was the old gambling steamboats of yore, but now the casinos are built on floating platforms on the oxbows and tributaries of the Mississippi River.
Playing poker on the Mississippi River? Sounds like an adventure to us! For more information, check it out,
Moon Lake Scenic Overlook and Park - Lula, Mississippi
South of Tunica, on Highway 1, Moon Lake is a 2,300 acre oxbow lake located outside the mainline Mississippi River levee about 15 miles north of Clarksdale. There is a trail leading to a long dock overlooking the lake. Swimming is permitted (at your own risk), as well as fishing off the dock.
There are many blog posts about “Moon Lake, Mississippi” that can be found with a Google search, or you can get a better description of the lake here: moonlakemiss.com
Quapaw Canoe Company - Clarksdale, Mississippi
While Clarksdale is not on the Mississippi River, there’s a company there that will take you out on the river…in a canoe! Quapaw Canoe Company offers canoe trips all over the river, but specializes in the last 500 miles, where the river is at its biggest, baddest, and wildest.
Check out their website for more information about this interesting company and all of its Mississippi River canoeing packages.
Terrene Landing - Rosedale, Mississippi
Just on the river near the historic river town of Rosedale, Mississippi, is Terrene Landing. This is where many of the Mississippi Riverboat cruises stop for tours of the Delta which include stops at famous Blues and cultural sites and attractions like Dockery Farms, The Grammy Museum - Mississippi, and the B.B. King Museum.
Not only does the site have a functional purpose of serving the cruise ships, it is a destination of its own with unobstructed views of the Mississippi River in a natural state - no buildings or other infrastructure are seen from the site. As well, there is a small pond, some walking trails, and observation decks. All in all, it’s a great place to have a picnic and watch the riverboats steam by.
Great River Road State Park - Rosedale, Mississippi
This all-but-abandoned 1,200-acre state park right off of one of the possible Robert Johnson crossroads sites at the intersection of state highways 8 and 1, offers visitors a chance to experience the riverside in an almost completely natural setting. You’ll see deer, all sorts of birds, maybe a snake or two and possibly an alligator in Perry Martin Lake - a once maintained and well-stocked oxbow fishing lake that has now become a snaky affair. For those brave enough, there are supposed to be some big fish in it.
But one of the park’s biggest draws is its pedestrian access to the banks of the Mississippi River. There are no amenities and no real infrastructure, just a path that goes to the river’s edge. Looking over the river, you’ll see the Arkansas wilderness. The only hint of civilization will be the occasional passing steamboat or towboat.
For roughly half the year (from late July until December), the adventurous visitor can access one of the largest sandbars in the Mississippi. With a length of approximately 2 miles, and a width of almost ¾ of a mile, this sandbar could easily be considered Mississippi’s largest natural beach. Here you’ll find all sorts of driftwood, jet and other detritus, old and new. If you decide to walk out to the river’s edge, wear a hat and bring water - out and back is almost a mile and a half through sand.
For more information, check out www.greatriverroadstatepark.com
Winterville Mounds - Greenville, Mississippi
Imagine how gorgeous this complex would have been in its heyday - a major mound complex right on the Mississippi River! The Winterville Mounds is a major archaeological site north of Greenville and along the river. It consists of major earthwork monuments, including more than twelve large platform mounds and cleared and filled plazas. It is the type site for the Winterville Phase (1200 B.C. to 1400 B.C.) of the Lower Yazoo Basin region of the Plaquemine Mississippian culture. Protected as a state park, it has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Learn more about this incredible Native American site here.
River Gambling in Greenville - Greenville, Mississippi
Washington County was once famous for blind tiger booze, craps shooting, and juke joints. Now, the casinos are world-class establishments featuring decor and atmosphere that mesh perfectly with the unique aura of the Mississippi Delta, “the most Southern place on Earth.” Blackjack, poker, dice and other table games, plus hundreds of video poker and slot machines await your arrival. Whether you are a high roller or just want to drop a few quarters in the slot, pack your bags, throw in your lucky rabbit’s foot and head to Greenville, you’re sure to find something to tickle your fancy in these gaming halls.
Learn more about where to bet your dollar on the river in Greenville!
Greenville Cypress Preserve - Greenville, Mississippi
For thousands of years massive Cypress forest covered the Mississippi Delta. Many of these were cleared out during the “Cotton Rush” at the turn of the last century, but one good example remains just south of Greenville on Highway 1, and you’re free to explore it! The Greenville Cypress Preserve has boardwalks and trails and has become a favorite spot for local and visiting photographers and birders alike, and the addition of the benches and the observation deck enhances the preserve as a place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge - Between Greenville and Vicksburg
Located in the heart of Mississippi’s Delta Region 25 miles south of Greenville, and five air miles east of the Mississippi River in Washington County, Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge is the oldest national wildlife refuge in the state of Mississippi. For birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, this is a must stop with over 6 short and easy trails to enjoy.
The City of Vicksburg, Mississippi
Known as the “Key City” during the American Civil War because of its strategic importance, the City of Vicksburg remains key to any road trip along the Mississippi River. With Civil War sites, casinos, a walkable, historic, riverfront downtown with plenty of restaurants, shops and hotels, as well as an impressive array of antebellum homes, Vicksburg is the perfect end (or beginning) to your Mississippi River Delta adventure.
Learn more about all that Vicksburg has to offer.
