(Header Photo Credit: Kaedon Simmons of 444 Photography)
Looking to get outside this summer? You won’t find a better expanse of outdoor entertainment than in Stone County, Mississippi. We’ve got numerous activities sure to keep you and your family smiling while learning something new along the way – everything from beautiful forests to the rustic charm of our many farms – and that’s just the beginning!
Scenic Scavenger Hunts in DeSoto National Forest
One of Mississippi’s most valued treasures, DeSoto National Forest, is over 500,000 acres of natural wonder. Embark on a nature walk and conduct a scavenger hunt to discover the unique flora and fauna that DeSoto has to offer. This isn’t just a walk in the forest but a fascinating learning experience that will leave you in awe of the forest’s diverse ecosystem. Plus, it’s a great way to meet your daily step goal!
Discover One-of-a-Kind Plants at Buttercup Flats and Sweetbay Bogs Preserve
You may not know that Stone County is home to many rare species of plants!
Buttercup Flats is one of the largest pitcher plant wetlands in the Southeast and draws people from all over the country to experience these fascinating plants firsthand. The sprawling bog is home to various types of pitcher plants, sundews, orchids, pipeworts, white-top grass and even carnivorous plants, making it a thrilling adventure for plant enthusiasts of all ages!
Looking for more? Sweetbay Bogs Preserve is named after the prevalent sweetbay trees that dominate the preserve. Of course, being a preserve, Sweetbay Bogs is home to all sorts of plant life, including at least six species of rare plants, such as grass of Parnassus, bog spicebush, large beakrush, Harper’s yellow-eyed grass, coast sedge, southern butterwort, flame flower and pineland bog button. And it’s not just plants: the preserve also has a number of rare gopher tortoises that reside there year-round, while several types of neotropical migratory birds visit seasonally.
Both are unique, nature-exploring opportunities that you don’t want to miss!
Pick Your Own Produce at Charlie’s U-Pik
Photo Credit: 444 Photography
Charlie’s U-Pik is more than just a farm; it’s a hands-on learning experience for the whole family. Here, youngsters and adults alike can pick high-quality, fresh produce with their own hands while making healthy food choices. It’s a fun, educational way to learning about sustainable farming and the importance of fresh, locally grown produce.
Get Wild with Animals at Wild Acres
Photo Credit: 444 Photography
Go on an ecological adventure like no other at Wild Acres Hands on Animal Experience. Boasting a wide variety of animals unlike anywhere else in the area – including lemurs, kangaroos, otters, capybaras, parrots and more – Wild Acres offers are rare glimpse of some of the wildest friends in the animal kingdom, all while learning about their unique ways of life from a team of animal experts.
Plus, several times a year, Wild Acres offers yoga on site with the loving support of capybaras! Check out their social pages to get signed up before the classes fill-up and find out for yourself why Wild Acres is the place to be!
We hope you enjoy and are inspired by our list of fun and informative things to do this summer in Stone County! With this list of great activities combined with all the other attractions, eateries and places to shop, it’s easy to see how you could come stay for a weekend or a week-long vacation! Visit our website at ExploreStoneCounty.com to plan a trip! And, of course, happy summer from all of us at Stone County! Hidden Gems Await!
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