There are a lot of great hiking trails in the Magnolia State, but not all of them lead to interesting remnants from the past like the Tuxachanie Trail. A must-visit for avid hikers and history buffs alike, the route includes plenty of beautiful views before coming to an end at an abandoned POW camp from WWII. This is one hike that should definitely be on your bucket list. Take a look:
Located within the DeSoto National Forest, the Tuxachanie Trail is a 12-mile out and back trail.
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Loaded with beautiful views and a ton of history, it follows an abandoned lumber railroad and leads through forests, savannahs, and swamps straight to a POW camp from WWII.
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Don’t let the 12-mile length deter you, though. There are three different trailheads, so you can shorten the route or even drive straight to the POW camp.
See and Eat Mississippi/Facebook To hike the entire trail, begin the route at the western trailhead on Highway 49 near Saucier. Cut the trail in half by accessing it via the Airey Lake Recreation Area. Or, you can omit the hiking completely and enter through the POW Lake Recreation Area.
Whether you choose to drive…
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…or hike, beautiful surroundings are practically guaranteed.
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Today, ammunition bunkers are all that remain of the POW camp, which used to house German and Italian prisoners during WWII.
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It was an extension of Camp Shelby, which housed thousands of prisoners during the war. Records state that this particular site held about 100 men.
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According to local historian Charles Sullivan, “Most of these German soldiers that we had here were just out of high school in Germany, put in uniform and told to shoot Americans. They weren’t really Nazis.”
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Remember, the POW camp is part of a recreation area, so, in addition to an incredible piece of the past, there’s also a lake…
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…and the opportunity for some camping. Primitive sites are permitted within 100’ of the trail.
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For more information on the Tuxachanie Trail, including a map and directions, visit the USDA website.
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To hike the entire trail, begin the route at the western trailhead on Highway 49 near Saucier. Cut the trail in half by accessing it via the Airey Lake Recreation Area. Or, you can omit the hiking completely and enter through the POW Lake Recreation Area.
Jennifer Oakes/All Trails
Jason Lykins/Google
Justin P/All Trails
Devin Clarke/Google
So, did you know about this abandoned POW camp? Ever visited? Know of another intriguing, long-forgotten about site? Tell us in the comments section.
This isn’t the only abandoned site you can explore in Mississippi. Learn about another here.
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