Black Creek Trail
~4 days · 38.7 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Black Creek Trail is known for
The Black Creek Trail follows its namesake blackwater river through De Soto National Forest in southern Mississippi — at about 41 miles the state's longest hiking trail, including a stretch through the Black Creek Wilderness. Gentle point-to-point terrain of bottomland forest, low piney ridges, and white sandbars that make natural campsites; most hikers take 3-4 days.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 279 ft to 807 ft over 38.7 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 4.8 mi · 13%
- Downhill 6.7 mi · 18%
- Flat 26.4 mi · 70%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Black Creek Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Black Creek Trail scores 9/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Black Creek Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Black Creek Trail in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 38.7 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Black Creek Trail?
The Black Creek Trail climbs roughly 1,309 ft total — about 34 ft per mile, topping out near 262 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.