Mississippi

Parks

  • National Battlefield Site

    Brices Cross Roads

    Baldwyn, MS

    The Confederate victory at Brices Cross Roads was a significant victory for Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest, but its long term effect on the war proved costly for the Confederates. Brices Cross Roads is an excellent example of winning the battle, but losing the war.

    the monument with a cannon on each side

  • National Monument

    Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley

    IL,MS

    In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, insisted on an open-casket funeral near their hometown of Chicago. Her brave decision let the world see the racist violence inflicted upon her son and set the Civil Rights Movement into motion.

  • National Seashore

    Gulf Islands

    Gulf Breeze, Florida and Ocean Springs, Mississippi , FL,MS

    Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of Mexico for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with us today!

    Bottlenose dolpin jumping out of the water

  • National Monument

    Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home

    MS

    Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, and it became a catalyst for passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Myrlie Evers continues to promote issues of racial equality and social justice.

  • National Historical Park

    Natchez

    Natchez, MS

    Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River.

    Mississippi River from the Bluffs of Natchez

  • Parkway

    Natchez Trace

    the states of AL,MS,TN

    The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive through three states. It roughly follows the "Old Natchez Trace," a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, "Kaintucks," European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents. Today, people can enjoy a scenic drive as well as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the Parkway.

    A curve along the Natchez Trace Parkway with fall colors

  • National Scenic Trail

    Natchez Trace

    Tupelo, AL,MS,TN

    The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles and offer opportunities to explore wetlands, swamps, hardwood forest, and the history of the area. For What's Open What's Close visit www.nps.gov/natr/planyourvisit/what-is-open-what-is-closed.htm

    3 hikers and a dog walk next to a creek

  • National Military Park

    Shiloh

    Shiloh, TN,MS

    Visit the sites of the most epic struggle in the Western Theater of the Civil War. Nearly 110,000 American troops clashed in a bloody contest that resulted in 23,746 casualties; more casualties than in all of America's previous wars combined. Explore both the Shiloh and Corinth battlefields to discover the impact of this struggle on the soldiers and on the nation.

    The Tennessee Monument at Shiloh National Military Park

  • National Battlefield

    Tupelo

    Tupelo, MS

    In July, 1864, Union forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the federal troops. Neither side could claim a clear victory, but Union troops had succeeded in their main goal: keeping the Confederates away from Union railroads in Tennessee.

    monumnent to the batle of tupelo, with a canon in the foreground

  • National Military Park

    Vicksburg

    Vicksburg, MS,LA

    To Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Vicksburg was the "nailhead that holds the South's two halves together." President Abraham Lincoln remarked "Vicksburg is the key" to victory, and could be the north's lifeline into the south. As the federals closed in on the Fortress City, they were met by a ring of forts with over 170 cannon. The resulting battle would determine the war's outcome.

    View from Battery DeGolyer

By The Numbers

These numbers are just a sample of the National Park Service's work. Figures are for the fiscal year that ended 9/30/2020.