Clark Creek Primitive Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

This route takes you around 6six waterfalls at Clark Creek State Park in Mississippi. Be prepared for some light climbing and scrambling, also lots of running on wet rocks.

$4 fee—they have an honor box system.

Would not recommend for trail running.

The trail starts at the parking area and you'll follow a gravel trail to the first waterfall. Once you climb down to the creek where the waterfall starts, you'll follow the creek down to the next waterfall. Your feet might get wet, so be prepared for that.

After the second waterfall, you'll continue to follow the creek to a fork,. Take the left to go to the third waterfall. Once at the waterfall, you'll need to climb up towards the right side to get to the top of the waterfall and continue along the trail. Now the trail starts gaining some elevation so your legs might start burning.

Once you reach the top of the second hill and start going down, you'll reach another fork. To the right is a shortcut that takes you right across the middle, which I started doing due to the trail being poorly marked, and the left takes you down to two more waterfalls. If you take the right, be prepared to run through a lot of bamboo. If you take the left, then continue to the next double waterfall, and afterwards, continue along the creek.

You'll reach a sign that says "do not enter" and the trail will continue to the right of the creek. Now this is mostly uphill, and there is one other waterfall you'll see there. There is also an observation area which requires a pretty steep climb to get to. There is not much to see due to all the trees, but there is a bench and some shelter.

Then, you'll continue along the trail until you come across another creek. Go toward the stop sign to make your way down to the creek, avoiding the deep holes, and continue to the fork. Head to the left, where you can either follow the creek or climb up and find the trail that goes along the creek. If you follow the creek, you'll need to climb to get out of it at one point but it's not too difficult.

You'll come to an area with some wooden stairs, but continue past them along the creek until you reach a fork. Both ways take you to waterfalls that are not too far off. There are lots of boulders and fallen trees to get around though.

After you're done enjoying the waterfalls and ready to head back, then go to the wooden stairs and start climbing. Follow the trail until the intersection, take a left, and then it's all uphill to the end. There are some muddy spots along the way and areas with steep drop-offs, so be careful and watch your footing. Bring plenty of water and some snacks because you might end up out there longer than you plan. Watch for snakes in the warmer months.

Snakes and insects in the warmer months.