stop & explore
There’s more to explore than just a great recreational trail when visiting the Longleaf Trace. Along the way, you’ll find spurs that lead to excitement and adventure that won’t be discovered anywhere other than the Pine Belt of Mississippi. Whether experiencing the cool sophistication of Hattiesburg, where millennials and longtime residents gather to create a culture of their own, or the slow pace and hometown vibe of suburban towns like Sumrall and Prentiss, venture off the asphalt and get way more than you bargained for when you hit the trail!
hattiesburg
Create your own adventure. Travel off the Trace and connect with Hattiesburg’s live music scene or impressive variety of local eateries. Taste the selections created in the barrels of a downtown brewery or discover this university town’s art scene, military museums, and beautiful outdoors. Ordinary will not do when visiting Mississippi’s Hub City, so sit back and relax a while, you’ve earned it. When grabbing your spokes to bike down the Longleaf Trace, a stop in Hattiesburg has a little something to offer everyone.
We know what family time means to our visitors and that who you’re with is as important as what you’re doing! Bounce around at trampoline park or find your wild side at the Hattiesburg Zoo. With two movie theaters and a host of other family-friendly activities, your crew will easily find something to do!
Taste what the rave is all about while you go enjoy a handcrafted pint on a brewery tour. Stop in one of our local restaurants for HBURG flavor before satisfying your sweet tooth at one of the many bakeries, coffee shops, and bistros.
sumrall
Sumrall is a family-friendly community with many parks and recreational areas off the paved trail. Venture into town to enjoy a picnic or play games of tennis and volley ball at Sumrall’s recently improved Town Park on Rocky Branch Road. The Lions Club Park is also a nearby facility where kids of all ages can play the day away on a playground or romp through the splash pad on warm summer days.
With several shops, boutiques and restaurants within the town, it's easy to find just what you need for a short trek into this picturesque community.
bassfield
When passing the Bassfield Trailhead, take a turn and stop for a while in the small community of Bassfield. Once off the path, you’ll discover a quaint town with warm and friendly folks that will welcome you back time and again. There are a few restaurants to enjoy, and, if you find yourself wanting to stay awhile, set up shop at Lake Jeff Davis for some overnight camping.
prentiss
For a picturesque jaunt off the Trace, stop in the town of Prentiss. This small, rural community of 1,158 is home to beautiful houses, churches, schools, and parks. Prentiss takes great pride in the quality of life in their town and invites you to make it your own for a few hours as you rest with them at one of several local restaurants, or a night or two at one of their two motels. Regardless of how long you’re there, enjoy the quaint shops, traditional stores and view the sights while enjoying the sunshine of the South.
carson
Tired from an invigorating day of exploring the Trace, stop in Carson for primitive camping. The camp area includes 10 horse stalls and water troughs, so feel free to bring your 4-legged friends, too. Additional features include restrooms, fire rings, BBQ grills, and a picnic area.