Paddle the Gulf Logo

MISSISSIPPI

USE OUR TRAIL MAP

Mississippi paddling trails let paddlers enjoy short trips along Wolf River bayous to Bay St. Louis or through the emergent marshlands of the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. For a longer adventure, explore routes from the upper Pascagoula River—the longest free-flowing river in the nation—to the coast, or kayak to the pristine barrier islands for overnight camping under the stars. The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources story map website allows paddlers to choose the adventure that is right for them, and provides events and resources to enjoy the variety of coastal preserves along the coast. Whether you want to paddleboard the coast, fish from your kayak, bird watch from your canoe, or lounge on a beach, Mississippi has an adventure for you. Check out the Mississippi state paddling website for more information.

359
_____

Miles of Shoreline

Mississippi has 359 miles of shoreline, which would take 5 hours to drive if laid out along an interstate.1

3.1%

How wet is Mississippi? 3.1% of the state is covered by water.2

81,316
_____

Miles of Rivers

Mississippi has 81,316 miles of rivers, which is long enough to travel around the earth three times!3

Famous Mississippi Wildlife

Gulf

Sturgeon

Gulf Sturgeon in the water
Gulf Sturgeon

Gulf sturgeon are born in freshwater rivers, head out to sea as juveniles, and return to the rivers of their birth to spawn (lay eggs) in adulthood.

Mississippi Diamondback Terrapin

Diamondback Terrapin on the ground
Diamondback Terrapin

The Mississippi Diamondback Terrapin is the only turtle in North America that lives mainly in salt marshes, estuaries, and tidal creeks.

Bottlenose

Dolphin

Happy dolphin staring at camera
Dolphin

Mississippi Sound and its adjacent waters are home to the largest dolphin population in the United States.

Brown

Pelican

Brown Pelican in the water
Brown Pelican

Found all along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the pelican’s pouch below its bill holds fish until water—as much as three gallons—is squeezed out.

State Flower
The state flower of Mississippi is the Magnolia.
State Waterfowl
The state waterfowl of Mississippi is the Wood Duck.
STATE LAND MAMMAL
The state land mammal of Mississippi is the Red Fox.
Population
About 3 million people call themselves Mississippians, making it the 35th most populous state.