Tuxachanie Trail
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Length: 11.9 miles
Time to complete the trail: 4-6 Hours.
Description: The trail lies from East side of Highway 49 North to Airey Lake to the old-World War II POW Camp.
Activities: The trail features hiking, nature, camping, and history
Start Point: East side of Hwy 49 N about 20 minutes North of Gulfport, Ms.
End Point: an abandoned site of a WWII German Prisoner of War Camp and Navy Rifle Range.
History of the TuxachanieTrail
The trail features hiking, nature, camping, and history and is directed toward such groups as BSA Scouts, Girl Scouts, Explorers, Ventures, and other youth groups. Groups taking the trail should have one adult for every eight to ten youth for safety measures and all scouts should conduct themselves as Scouts.
The trailhead is on the East side of Hwy 49 N about 20 minutes North of Gulfport, Ms. and is approximately 11 miles long and well maintained. It is well marked with white rectangle blazes and mile markers. It is a very interesting, educational, and enjoyable hike and open all year round. The trail provides an educational expedition for Scouts and Scout leaders and to create interest in our national forest and the historical significance of the Prisoner of War Camp.
Camping is permitted at Lake Airey and at the POW camp. Camping facilities are available for units wishing to camp overnight. Units who wis to camp should bring their own tents, camping equipment and water containers. Water and sanitary facilities are available only at Airey Lake, no shower facilities. There are picnic tables and bbq/fire pits in the campgrounds. Primitive camping is available at the POW camp. Both camps are accessible by road.
At the end of the trail lies the prisoner of war camp. This is an abandoned site of a WWII German Prisoner of War Camp and Navy Rifle Range. The building foundations are still visible, the permanent overnight campsite offers an open, grassy camping area in the shade of Longleaf pines. The camp is accessible from the trail entrance on Highway 67 and County Road 402. Here, the hiker may relax and recall forest resources and activities they have seen along the Tuxachainie hiking trail.
Trail Waypoints
- The trailhead is on the East side of Hwy 49 N about 20 minutes North of Gulfport, Ms.
- 1.4-mile marker
- 3.3-mile marker
- 5.3-mile marker you arrive at Airy Lake.
- 7.9-mile marker
- The trail ends at a WWII German Prisoner of War Camp and Navy Rifle Range.
Regarding the map above and what appear to be distance markers. The first marker on the map reads “1.4 mi.” and the second reads “1.9 mi.” This is meant to indicate that the distance between the outlier arrows is as noted. It does not mean that it is 1.9 miles to the third arrow. The combined distance therefore is 1.4+1.9 or 3.3 miles.
If read correctly, from the trailhead to Airey Lake would be 5.3 miles (not just over 2 miles).
