Hiking and Walking Trails

The Military Park offers one of the best opportunities in the area for walking and active recreation

Vicksburg National Military Park offers some of the best walking and hiking areas in eastern Mississippi. There are many options for scenic hikes and walks, as well as options for running, riding bicycles, walking your pets, and even pushing a stroller! Entrance fees still apply to pedestrians, and must be paid when entering the park.

Tour Road Options:

Many community members and visitors will choose to walk, run, or bicycle portions of the tour road. The Tour Road offers up to a 16 miles pedestrian experience, and allows for pedestrians to create walking loops that range in length from 3 miles to 16 miles. The tour road features a "walkers lane" on the left side of the road as a dedicated lane for non-motorized transportation.

Best of all, the Tour Road is open to pedestrians from sunrise to sunset. The road is only open to vehicles from 8am-5pm, leaving plenty of time in the morning and afternoon for a vehicle-free experience.

This is a great option for anyone looking for a little exercise, or looking to explore the park from a different perspective. All of the important features and monuments on the battlefield can be viewed while walking

Pets and strollers are welcome on the tour road. Pets must be kept on a 6 ft or less leash at all times, and owners must pick up after their pets. Restrooms are available at the visitor center from 8am-6pm, and water is available all day in the parking lot.

Come on out and get some exercise in one of the most beautiful park's in Mississippi!

Learn more about the annual Run Thru History, a 10k and 5k family race through the military park!

 

Al Scheller Hiking Trail is currently closed due to safety issues.

Due to safety issues on large portions of the route, the Al Scheller Hiking Trail is currently off limits. For updates or questions, please email the park at [e-mail] or call 601-63600583 EX2920.

 

Wilderness Hiking

The Al Scheller Hiking Trail follows a more physically demanding route through the interior sections of the park, and gives the hiker an excellent perception of the obstacles and difficult terrain faced by the soldiers during the siege of Vicksburg. While a majority of the trail is maintained and well-marked, those seeking to hike the whole trail should have basic orienteering skills.

The Al Scheller Primitive Hiking trail was originally established in 1979-1980, for the purpose of training Boy Scouts in the use of compasses and orienteering methods, while also learning the history of the park and its terrain as they trekked through the woods. All maintenance of the hiking trail is performed by volunteers. If you are interested in helping out, or if your organization wants to adopt a section of the trail, please contact the volunteer coordinator.

More in-depth information on the Al Scheller Hiking Trail is available at the visitor center desk. Be sure to ask for a Vicksburg Trails Orientation Booklet, and learn about the awards to can earn through our partner, the Vicksburg Trails Commission.