Longing for some real quiet time? Visit Mississippi for 'silent travel'

Pinebelt Blueways offers kayak trips outside Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

“Silent travel” is more than a trend—it’s a shift in how we vacation. Travelers—I know I am—are seeking meaningful escapes from the noise of daily life, favoring serene, nature-rich destinations over the crowded, overly documented ones. They want solitude, digital disconnection, and restorative experiences. In fact, Byway Travel reports that 68 percent of nights they booked were in non-hotspot locations—proving that 2025 is about slowing down, resetting and recharging. 

In Mississippi, this kind of quiet travel is a way of life. With its peaceful state parks, mapped Blueways and untouched coastal beauty, the state offers the ideal backdrop for mindful escapes rooted in wellness, nature and authenticity. 

Float Along the Blueways

Mississippi’s designated Blueways—mapped water trails for canoers and kayakers—guide visitors through calm waterways rich with wildlife and diverse ecosystems. Each of the seven trails offers a unique perspective of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast and invites travelers to unwind in peaceful, natural surroundings.

We kayaked the Leaf River along the Pinebelt Blueways outside Hattiesburg, a lovely slow-moving river that led me back to my sustainable Whiskey on the River cabin on the edge of the DeSoto National Forest. The Piney Woods Conservation Group works to preserve these regional waterways in five counties and members served as my guides, picking me up at my cabin for a delightful—and peaceful—experience.

Whiskey on the River

Retreat to Scenic State Parks

With 25 state parks across the state, options for disconnecting are abundant. Tishomingo State Park, located along the Natchez Trace Parkway, invites visitors to canoe, swim (seasonally), or stay overnight in cabins, RV sites, or primitive campsites. (My mystery, “A Trace of a Ghost,” featuring New Orleans sleuth Viola Valentine, includes Tishomingo! See book info in bio below.)

For those who crave both quiet and a little splash of fun, Buccaneer State Park offers nature trails, coastal recreation and even a water park. Roosevelt State Park near Pelahatchie (and not too far from Jackson) features several outdoor recreational opportunities such as playgrounds, disc golf, softball field, picnic areas, tennis courts, nature and mountain bike trails and the Shadow Lake Splash Zone, a seasonal swimming pool and water slide. Fishing, boating (including kayak rentals) and water-skiing are allowed on the 150-acre spring-fed lake.

Natchez State Park near the historic town of Natchez, Mississippi. Credit: Visit Mississippi.

Reconnect on Scenic Hiking Trails

Mississippi’s varied landscapes are home to peaceful trails that wind through coastal boardwalks, dense forests, and hidden waterfalls. At Clark Creek Natural Area, hikers can explore more than 700 acres of unspoiled beauty, with nearly 50 waterfalls and trails that range from moderate to challenging. It’s an ideal place to slow down, breathe deeply, and fully immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature.

Just be warned, the trail leads down to the creek and the base of the waterfalls so returning to the parking lot means heading uphill. Most hikers won't mind but parents with little children and/or dogs may find themselves hauling more than themselves back up the hill. To access the trail, visit 366 Fort Adams Pond Road in Woodville on the Louisiana border. There is a modest fee to enjoy the trails.

Clark Creek Natural Area

Whether you're looking to paddle through still waters, hike among waterfalls, or simply sit in stillness under the trees, Mississippi offers a quiet kind of magic that invites you to truly unplug. 

Weird, Wacky & Wild South is written by Cheré Dastugue Coen who loves a peaceful hike or paddle in the Great Outdoors. "Trace of a Ghost," her Viola Valentine paranormal mystery series written under her pen name of Cherie Claire, takes place along the Natchez Trace of Mississippi.