Jackson County lies on the Gulf Coast of the U.S. state of Mississippi. Highlights include a house dating to 1757, protected salt marshes and waterways, as well as trails and boardwalks for nature observation and cycling routes. To plan your visit, consider which focus interests you most: architectural and regional history, wildlife watching, or experiences on the water and by bicycle.
Discover History in Houses and Museums
The LaPointe-Krebs House was built in 1757 and is the oldest scientifically confirmed surviving structure between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachians. It is significant as both a colonial and an Indigenous site. The museum next to the house serves as an interpretive center for the history of Pascagoula and Jackson County. This connects the history of the house with a look at the wider region.
The Historic Krebs Cemetery and the adjacent LaPointe-Krebs House are also the setting for an annual living-history reenactment. The Jackson County Historical and Genealogical Society hosts it in late October, honoring well-known figures from Mississippi. If you would like to plan your visit around the event, check the latest dates before your trip.
The Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center offers further insights; it is housed in a landmarked public school building dating to 1927. The Ocean Springs Museum of History is on the second floor. The Gautier Historic Schoolhouse, meanwhile, was a one-room school built in the early 1920s for African American children during segregation. The Walter Anderson Museum of Art aims to foster lifelong curiosity and a connection to the natural world through the art of Walter Anderson and related artists.
Bayous, Salt Marshes, and Wildlife Watching
The Davis Bayou Blueway lies within the Gulf Islands National Seashore and is federally protected. It offers an unspoiled example of the unique, productive, and shrinking salt marsh ecosystem. The 1.5-mile recreational water route connects Davis, Stark, and Halstead Bayou. In the Davis Bayou Area, you can also use trails and boardwalks to look out over the bayous and observe wildlife.
The Pascagoula River Blueway extends for ten miles in Jackson County and offers paddling opportunities for a range of experience levels. Multiple access points provide different options for beginners as well as anyone looking for shorter trips. Its length and access points make it a distinct option alongside the Davis Bayou Blueway.
A special opportunity for nature watching is the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge: it is the last remaining place where the endangered Mississippi sandhill crane can be observed. The visitor center offers interactive exhibits and a twelve-minute film. Guided crane tours are generally offered from late fall through late winter; availability depends on staffing. The Pascagoula River Audubon Center is temporarily closed while structural and cosmetic repairs are made to the building. Check its current visitor status before traveling there.
Cycling, Walking, and the Lighthouse
The Live Oaks Bicycle Route in Ocean Springs is a 15.5-mile loop. It connects the Davis Bayou Area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore with the Old Louisville and Nashville Train Depot. Route maps are available at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station and the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce. The Historic Pascagoula Bike Trail was established to give residents and visitors a historic tour of the city. The trailhead sign is in Lighthouse Park on Fredric Street; a group meets on the second Saturday of each month for a group ride on the trail. Check the latest meetup details before your trip.
The Round Island Lighthouse also tells the story of changes along the coast: it was built in 1859, and its hurricane-damaged remains were moved to the mainland in Pascagoula in 2010. The lighthouse is open to visitors on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; check the hours before your visit. Shepard State Park in Gautier offers hiking and a competition-level archery range.
Discover more destinations: Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Moss Point, Gautier, Latimer, Union County, Tunica, Marshall.
For the main travel overview: Mississippi.
