Trails in South Mississippi

Scenic overlook and northern trailhead for Chisha Foka Multi-use trail

Brashears Stand is named after Turner Brashears, who moved to the area in the late 1700s. He became a trader with the Choctaw and learned their language. Travelers on the Natchez Trace generally seemed to be pleased with their treatment and accommodations at Brashears Stand. In addition to earning money from his stand operation, Brashears prospered by selling land and enslaved people.

Today, Jackson is the capital of Mississippi and the center of government business, but in the 1800’s this region was the center of business between the U.S. Government and the Choctaw Indians. The Choctaw’s homeland (Chahta yakni aboha) included lands that became the states of Mississippi and Alabama, but the land was gradually ceded to the U.S. Government. The last cession was made in 1830, following the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek.

Cowles Mead’s home, called “Greenwood,” was located here, a mile northwest of Clinton in Hinds County, set in a lawn of fifty acres of Bermuda grass, which he is believed to have introduced into the United States.  He was an enthusiastic gardener, and proudly entertained distinguished guests amongst the well landscaped grounds. After his death, the home was destroyed in a fire in 1863.

The Treaty of Doaks Stand, 1820, opened this land to white settlement. Land was quickly claimed and pioneer families established themselves in this wilderness. William Dean and his wife Margaret settled about here on the Old Natchez Trace in 1823. The Deans supplemented their farm income by offering lodging to travelers.

This trailhead is an excellent staging area for horseback riders on the Rocky Springs Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. There is ample parking for trailers. This is the only area for horses to stage on this section of trail. There is no water available at this location. Horseback riders will be riding on the road shoulder for part of this trail.

This area had picnic tables and restrooms nearby. This trailhead for the Rocky Springs Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is accessible to hikers only. Hikers can take the trail from the picnic area, and continue north eight miles to the northern terminus or continue south two and one half miles to the southern terminus at Owens Creek. The southern portion of trail takes you over rocky outcroppings and on steep ridges. This trailhead has the most amenities.

Called "the Rocky Spring" by early travelers, the town later became Rocky Springs, a rural community covering about 25 square miles. Settlement of the area began in the late 1790's and continued until about 1860, reaching a peak of approximately 2600 people.

The sounds of a busy woodland stream and the quiet murmur of a lazy waterfall have long been stilled here. Only after heavy rainfall does water fill the stream. Over the years the water table has dropped several feet, and the spring which feeds Owens Creek has all but disappeared. Little remains of a scene once familiar to early residents of the Rocky Springs community. This is the southern terminus of the Rocky Springs Section of Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail.

Grindstone Ford - This ford marked the beginning of the Choctaw Nation and the end of the Old Natchez District. Nearby Fort Deposit was a supply depot for troops clearing the Trace in 1801-1802, and troops were assembled here during the Burr conspiracy allegedly to separate the western states from the Union. The site takes its name from a nearby water mill. This site is not accessible by vehicles taller than 11 feet in height.