Clear Springs Nature Trail

Boardwalk section of Clear Springs Nature Trail

About a mile and half downstream of Sardis Dam in Panola County, Mississippi is a short 0.6-mile nature trail built by the Army Corps of Engineers. Clear Springs Nature Trail begins along River Road and forms a loop from the parking lot.


I began my hike on January 9, 2016 by hiking counterclockwise from the parking lot. The trail can be divided into two unequal sections, as it is split by River Road. The first longer, but flatter section is nearly entirely a boardwalk that goes out through the cypress swamp before returning to the road just a short distance from the trailhead.

The start of the trail as it leaves the trailhead

At the southernmost end of the boardwalk section, there is a viewing area with benches overlooking the swamp. I was lucky to see a beaver sitting about 20 feet from the end of the boardwalk, and it didn't even notice me.

The trail passing through the pine forest on the hill

As the trail continues across the road, it climbs about 50 feet in elevation up a hill, traverses across the hill, and then descends a set of stairs back to the trailhead. Overall, it was a decent little walk.

See my track on AllTrails here.

Looking back up the stairs before returning to the trailhead

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