Clark Creek Primitive Trail (Clark Creek Natural Area) Hiking Guide

Waterfalls are not what most people expect from Mississippi, and the state agency counts about 50 of them, 10 to 30-plus feet high, in this 700-acre corner near the Louisiana line. The primitive loop is how you see the wild side: down into creek beds, over boulders, and up steep loess ridges on tread that is often hard to follow. It takes much longer than the mileage suggests.

permit requireddog-friendly
Difficulty
hard
Distance
4.7 mi
Elevation gain
877 ft
Trailhead
Woodville
waterfalls in loess ravines, from 6 to 8 on the full loop by different countsboulder-strewn creek walking and scramblingsteep climbs on rough, poorly marked pathblack bear habitat in a 700-acre natural area
springfallwinter

Permit: Mississippi's parks agency lists a $2.00 per person fee at Clark Creek, with age 5 and under free. Older accounts describe a $4 honor box, so bring small bills. Every visitor must also sign the trailhead register.

The Loop

From the gravel start, the Hiking Project contributor follows the improved path to the first falls, climbs down to the creek and works downstream past a second. Left at a fork reaches a third, and you scramble up its right side to regain the trail. A second hill leads to another fork: left goes to a double waterfall, right is a shortcut through bamboo. Past a "do not enter" sign the path stays right of the creek and climbs to a bench at a shelter, then drops to more falls near some wooden stairs, which take you back up toward the parking area. Expect wet feet.

Numbers and Pace

Hiking Project maps the loop at 4.7 miles with 877 feet up and down, a 33% maximum grade and a range of 103 to 402 feet of elevation. Others run longer: America's State Parks and Louisiana Hikes both give 5.6 miles for the combined trails. Waterfall counts differ too, six on Hiking Project and eight on Louisiana Hikes. That second site puts the pace at about a mile an hour, which matches America's State Parks' estimate of 3 to 5 hours for the primitive side alone. Start early enough to finish by the 5 p.m. closing.

Rules and Risks

State regulations require you to sign the register at the trailhead, stay on maintained trails or within the banks of the creek and its tributaries, and carry out trash. Climbing bluffs with ropes is banned, as are fires, camping and alcohol. The agency warns of poisonous snakes and tells visitors to avoid climbing in wet, steep places, adding that medical help is slow to reach this remote spot. Louisiana Hikes notes that erosion has already affected some trails, and America's State Parks mentions false side paths. Load a GPS track; Hiking Project's author complains of poor marking.

Getting There and Paying

The address is 366 Fort Adams Pond Road, Woodville. From Main Street, the agency's directions take Pinckneyville Road to Fort Adams Road for 13 miles, then right on Fort Adams Pond Road. Parking is limited and the agency asks visitors to carpool. Its listed fee is $2 per person, free at 5 and under, though Hiking Project and Louisiana Hikes describe $4 on the honor system, and hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some older write-ups list weekly closure days that the current page doesn't mention; phone 601-432-2400 before a long drive.

Season, Dogs and Water

After rain is when the falls run strongest, and also when the bluffs and rock are worst, so pick a dry day following a wet spell. Spring and fall are the usual choices; America's State Parks reports reduced flow in hot summers. Restroom and water fountain are at the trailhead only, so fill up there. Hunting isn't allowed on the property, a relief in deer season. Dogs are reported leashed-only by Hiking Project and America's State Parks, matching the state's six-foot rule, but scrambling down wet ledges with one is a poor idea.

Hiking tips for Clark Creek Primitive Trail (Clark Creek Natural Area)

  • Sign the trailhead register, which is a state requirement.
  • Wear shoes with real grip and expect them to get wet.
  • Carry a downloaded GPS track, because markings are poor and false paths are common.
  • Fill bottles at the trailhead fountain, the only water on site.
  • Watch for snakes in warm months and never climb the wet bluffs.

Nearby trails to explore

  • Clark Creek Improved Trail (Clark Creek Natural Area)
  • Rocky Springs Section (Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail)
  • Gorge Run Trail (Bogue Chitto State Park)

Hike this trail with TrailMates

The primitive loop is rough and remote, and it's safer with company. Post a Clark Creek day on TrailMates, carpool to the small lot using the event's group chat, and set a turnaround time before you drop into the ravines. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.