The Longleaf Trace

 The next quarterly meeting of  the Friends of the Longleaf Trace will be July 7th

 Laurel's Mark Clark rates the Top Ten Bike Trails

May 10th dedication of the JERRY RYAN MEMORIAL OUTDOOR CENTER

 Rob Nykvist from Alabama rides the entire Trace and takes some fantastic pictures of wildflowers

Many thanks to all the Trace sponsors!

The 25th anniversary Run for the Roses 5K Run/Walk was held April 12 in Prentiss

Picture of the 2007-2008 Board of Directors

Doug Morgan is the new record holder in the Dean Blakeslee Solo Round Trip Challenge
The Run/walk/bike Mississippi License Plate will be out soon. Have you signed up for yours yet? Be a part of history, and own one of the first year plates that will be a collectors item in years to come.

 Donors urgently needed for Project Safe Crossing!

The Latest Longleaf Trace
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Links to Information about the Longleaf Trace
About the
Longleaf Trace		 Rules of the Trace

Pests on the Trace?

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FRIEND of the TRACE
Directions 
to the Trace		 Maps 
and Pictures
Gateway Southern Miss
in Hattiesburg		 Camping, Fishing,
RV Parking
Cycling Towns along the Trace, including
dining and lodging information 

Related Links
 Events
on the Trace		 Thanks to our Sponsors Equestrian Facilities Services 
Souvenirs Logbook  
of Trace Users		 Archives of pictures
and news		 Send Feedback  
to the Trace
  Weather Forecast
for the Trace		 How's business
along the Trace?		 Weather Stations
and Rest Stops		 Buddy's Place
Pet memorial


This is South Mississippi's premier running, biking, hiking, equestrian trail. It is a beautiful linear park,  41 miles long and fairly flat (rails-to-trails conversion), extending  from Hattiesburg (elevation 220') through Sumrall (290'), Bassfield (460'), and Carson to Prentiss (336'). It has recently been extended to the USM campus, and negotiations are underway to acquire the right of way to downtown Hattiesburg. And can you imagine the impact of someday extending it from Prentiss to Natchez, thus connecting it to the Natchez Trace and Mississippi River Trails?

Directions to the Longleaf Trace

From I59 take the Hardy Street exit and go east on Hardy Street to 38th Street (second light).  Turn left on 38th Avenue and then right at the next light at 4th Street. The Gateway will be on your left at the foot of the water tower at the northern edge of the USM campus. 

From US Highway 49 from Jackson: At Mendenhall turn south on Highway 13. At Prentiss turn west on US Highway 84. The Trace crosses 84 just south of its terminus at the park in Prentiss. Take a side street to the beautiful park (see pictures below) and parking area. For the Hattiesburg terminus see I59 instructions above or the US Highway 49 directions below.

To access the Trace at Sumrall or Epley from Highway 49: Turn west on 42. Turn left on Epley Road (first paved road) to go to Epley, or straight to continue to Sumrall. In Sumrall turn left on 589 and the parking area is a few blocks on your left. 

If you are coming from Mobile on US Highway 98 or from the coast on US Highway 49 (they intersect just south of Hattiesburg): Continue (or turn) west on US 98 to I59 north to Hardy Street. Then follow the directions from I59 above.  

US Highway 49 Directions: If you are familiar with Hattiesburg and USM, another more scenic way to get to the Gateway Southern Miss is to stay on 49 into Hattiesburg, and then turn west on 4th street (watch for signs directing you to the Gateway. You will get off onto a frontage road that will take you to 4th Street (4th Street passes over US 49). The Gateway will be on your right across from the football stadium. That way you get to see more of the fabulous hub city and USM. To start at Epley or Sumrall, follow the directions above. Going North, Highway 42 will be on your left about 3 miles after you cross under I59. 

The Trace is being used daily by many bikers, runners, and hikers. PLEASE BE CAREFUL. Signs are up to warn both motorists and trail users of crossroads. There are many intersections of logging roads and seldom used access roads. But don't be lulled into complacency by these sleepy crossings. The next crossing, which looks very similar from a few yards away, may be a major thoroughfare, with vehicles coming at you at 55 mph.   


As the sign shows, walkers should yield to equestrians, and bikers should yield to both walkers and equestrians. Be courteous and let other trail users know of your approach.   Even if there is plenty of room to pass,  give a warning. A jogger may hear your bicycle coming at the last second and (as recently happened) try to get out of your way in the wrong direction. Horses are also easily startled, and a startled horse can be very dangerous for the rider, and even more dangerous for the walker/biker/skater that startled him.  In all cases, be sure the other  party knows you are there before passing. 

Parking Area and Rest Room at Epley. This is just off Highway 589 at Epley Road

Much of the trail is well shaded, with wonderful natural landscaping. 
Deep cuts and high embankments through low areas add to the interest. 
   
See lots more pictures of the Trace

                         
Many Thanks need to be given to the private sponsors who stepped up early in the project (1995) when we needed initial matching funding and also needed to show public support for the idea of a trail in order to get the funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation. These people donated their money when the trail was just an idea in Stone Barefield's mind, before the land was purchased from the railroad, and before the cities and counties had signed on. Their enthusiasm and early support was instrumental in the eventual success of the Longleaf Trace. Please read the list of original sponsors, and Current Sponsors, and thank them the next chance you get.