The Lower Mississippi River Water Trail

it is living in another era, a feeling that reaches out into all parts of town, and is highlighted at the National Military Park. 

 

A good place to start your visit is the Old Courthouse Museum with great panoramas of downtown.  It’s located up the hill at 1008 Cherry Street, and is one of the first buildings you’ll see from the distance as you paddle up the Yazoo.  Be sure to visit the recently completed Lower Mississippi River Museum and Riverfront Interpretive Site located within the MV Mississippi.   You can walk down a scale model of the Greenville-Vicksburg stretch that you just paddled!  For a spectacular view up the main channel of the river go to the turnout on South Washington (Louisiana Circle) across from the Dixiana Motel.   The Vicksburg National Military Park is a must-see for its moving exhibits and beautiful monuments and scenery.  Be sure to visit the Gunboat Cairo exhibit.  The park commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg in 1863 and includes over 1,340 monuments, markers and plaques, a 16-mile tour road, a restored Union gunboat, and a National Cemetery. Vicksburg National Cemetery embraces 116 acres and holds the remains of 17,000 Civil War Union soldiers, a number unmatched by any other national cemetery.  Paddlers take notice: you can purchase Maps of the entire Lower Mississippi at the US Army Corps headquarters on Clay Street!  Bring your ID and visit the map room.

 

Besides being the supreme river engineering stronghold, Vicksburg is also the home to the Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee and the US Fish & Wildlife whose fish toxicology reports have demonstrated that the Mississippi River is a lot cleaner than anyone thought.  In fact, its the cleanest river in the State of Mississippi.  According to the fish taken and examined.

 

Vicksburg Services and Accommodations

 

For long distance paddlers Vicksburg will be your best place for resupply, rest and relaxation, and reconnoiter.  Do not leave your vessel unattended!  Portage or safely stash your vessel and gear and walk up the hill to Washington Street which is full of restaurants, shops, bars, cafes, a drug store and a dollar store.  The library is at the South end of downtown, and the Highway 61 Coffeehouse at the other, both are great for orienting yourself and finding local information.  There are a couple of options for hotels nearby, but no grocery stores. You’ll have to hop the bus or find a ride for food supply.  All grocery stores are miles away in the strip malls along Interstate 20.  The Relax Inn (1313 Walnut St.) is within walking distance (3 blocks) of the Vicksburg boat launch with reasonable rates.  Portage your vessel and ask them to let you safely store it.  Public Wi-Fi in the 1200-1400 blocks of Washington Street.

 

Public Transportation

The City of Vicksburg offers public transportation through the NRoute system. NRoute operates Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sit back, relax enjoy a safe comfortable air-conditioned ride while listening to music by some of Vicksburg’s and Mississippi’s most famous Delta Blues musicians. You might even learn a little more about Vicksburg along the way! Need schedules or special assistance? Call or go by