Tuxachanie National Hiking Trail (De Soto National Forest) Hiking Guide
Rows of live oaks mark the start of this foot trail just off Highway 49, north of Saucier. From there, an abandoned logging railroad carries you through bogs, swamps and longleaf pine with very little climbing. There's no fee, three trailheads let you take bites of any size, and the agency promises an abundance of pitcher plants.
The Route
The Forest Service gives 11.9 miles and Hiking Project maps 13.5, point to point, with only 294 feet of climbing and 352 of descent. Trailheads are at Highway 49, Airey Lake and P.O.W. Camp. The main one is 2.5 miles north of Saucier on the east side of northbound 49. Hiking Project's write-up centers on the first 5 miles, between the highway and Airey: an easy out-and-back of whatever length you like along the old grade of the Dantzler Lumber Company's railroad, built by immigrants with hand tools and mule-drawn earthmovers in the early 1900s.
What Grows Here
The agency describes plains, savannas and swamps between ridges of longleaf and slash pine, with abundant pitcher plants, palmettos and the occasional wild orchid. A small beech-magnolia forest sits about a mile from the highway, per Hiking Project, and wooden footbridges carry you across sloughs and lowland swamp. Spring gives the most flowers. Stay on the tread around the bogs. A short piece is shared with the Big Foot Horse Trail, so yield to riders there.
Hunting Overlap
This is general forest open to hunters, and the Forest Service reminds visitors each fall that they may meet them, asking hunters to stay 150 yards from trails, roads and recreation areas. Reported 2026-27 deer dates statewide are youth season November 7-20, gun with dogs November 21 to December 1 and December 24 to January 20, primitive weapon December 2-15, and gun without dogs December 16-23. Those come from Mississippi Sportsman, so confirm with the state's wildlife agency. Bright clothing is cheap insurance, for your dog as well.
Water, Restrooms and Fees
No user fee applies at the trailheads or at Airey Lake. The trail itself has no drinking water or toilets. Airey Lake is the only resupply, listed as open with potable water and picnic tables, but its page last updated in January 2026 says restrooms are temporarily closed after winter weather, so don't count on those. Reach it from Saucier by Highway 67, Bethel Road and County Road 412. Alcohol is not allowed on the trail, and neither are motor vehicles. Forest Service text doesn't state a leash rule, so keep dogs under close control.
Weather and Water on the Trail
Fall through spring is the time to go. The Park Service describes Mississippi as humid subtropical, with southern counties occasionally hit by hurricanes, and this route crosses plenty of low, wet ground. The agency says Tuxachanie stays open year-round unless weather requires closing it, and it has shut De Soto recreation sites for flooding as recently as May 2026, so check its alerts after big storms. The same page shows daily prescribed burn maps. Hiking Project warns that maintenance ends at Bigfoot Trail Camp, and footing may be rougher on the far end toward P.O.W. Camp.
Hiking tips for Tuxachanie National Hiking Trail (De Soto National Forest)
- Hike the first 5 miles from Highway 49 for the best of the trail without a shuttle.
- Wear bright colors from November through January.
- Pack every drop you need, since only Airey Lake has water.
- Check the forest's alerts and burn map before you leave home.
- Bring a shuttle or a tent if you want the whole trail, because it's one-way.
Nearby trails to explore
- Clark Creek Improved Trail (Clark Creek Natural Area)
- Fontainebleau State Park Trails
- Boy Scout Road Trail (Big Branch Marsh)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Tuxachanie's three trailheads make it easy to plan a car shuttle with friends from Gulfport or Hattiesburg. Set the date on TrailMates, pick your section in the event's group chat, and meet under the live oaks on Highway 49. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.