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Featured National Recreation Trails

Every kind of trail activity is represented in the listing of designated NRTs. Besides hiking and bicycling, the system includes water trails, motorized routes, snow tracks, greenways, and equestrian paths. The NRT program showcases the diversity of trails across America, from our cities and suburbs to the deserts, waterways, and high mountains.

Bailey's Woods National Recreation Trail - Oxford, Mississippi

Bailey's Woods Trail connects the University Museum at the University of Mississippi to Rowan Oak, William Faulkner's residence in Oxford, MS. Designated as a National Recreation Trail in 2012.

photo of bridge on trail

The Bailey's Woods Trail began its life as part of William Faulkner's home in Oxford, MS. Faulkner drew inspiration for his writing from the woods, and wrote on the trail. Following his death, Bailey's Woods Trail is presently under the control of the University of Mississippi Museum and Historic Houses.

The University Museum and Rowan Oak primarily service the University of Mississippi, the Oxford area, the North Mississippi Hill Country, the state of Mississippi and the Southern United States, over 35 thousand visitors from 16 states and Washington, D.C. and 36 countries visited both complexes within the year.

The Bailey's Woods Trail connects the University Museum at the University of Mississippi to Rowan Oak, William Faulkner's residence. The trail is approximately 3/5 mile in length, and takes an average of 20 minutes one-way on foot. The trail is open from dawn to dusk.

The people of Oxford and visitors enjoy using the trail to geocache, walk or run, exercise with their pets, and observe the fall foliage. The University Museum currently participates with Michelle Obama's health initiative, Let's Move: Museums and Gardens.

photo of kids in woods

School groups are invited to enjoy the trail as part of
a visit to the Museum and Rowan Oak

The Museum and Rowan Oak partners with northern Mississippi and southwestern Tennessee schools to provide walking tours, leading from Rowan Oak through the Bailey's Woods Trail to the Museum. Then the school group picnics on the grounds of the Walton-Young House and afterwards, tours the University of Mississippi's campus. At the University Museum, the afterschool art programs and summer day camp spend time on the Bailey's Woods Trail, picking up leaves for leaf rubbings or taking pictures of the trail. Several Botany and Biology classes at the University of Mississippi use the trail for field studies and surveys. The Art Department has used the trail for art installation and art inspiration.

Before 2002, the Bailey's Woods Trail was left to nature's hands. After the Museum and Rowan Oak staff believed improvements were necessary for the preservation of the woods and safety of pedestrians, changes were made. Contractors added four bridges, steps to help with steepness, and controlled for erosion. During the improvements, the contractors were careful not to harm the woods to affect its natural beauty.

The Bailey's Woods Trail is a backcountry pedestrian nature trail. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trail. The trail is opened from dawn to dusk, with no seasonal closings, or visiting fees. The University of Mississippi Museum and Historic Houses hope you visit to witness great art of the past and present, walk through nature at Bailey's Woods Trail, and write your own story at Rowan Oak.

Directions:

photo of fall trees along trail

Rowan Oak Entrance: From Mississippi Highway 6 take the Taylor Road exit and head north towards the University. Take the first right onto Old Taylor Road and follow till the road takes a hard right bend. There, turn left to parking for Rowan Oak and trail. At the end of the parking area is the beginning of the south end of Bailey's Woods Trail.

University Museum Entrance: To access the north end from Mississippi Highway 6 take the Taylor Road exit and head north towards the University. At University Ave, turn right and go to Fifth Street and turn right into the parking lot of the Museum. At the end of the parking lot is the north trail entrance.

For more information:

University of Mississippi - University Museum and Historic Houses
412 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655
(662) 915-7073
http://museum.olemiss.edu/

We frequently add NRT information, photos and maps to these pages. Send suggestions and information requests to American Trails. Research additional NRTs in the NRT database. Trail managers can update online trail information in the NRT database. You may also e-mail information on minor changes or to update Featured NRT pages.

Related Pages:

Featured National Recreation Trails

Bailey's Woods National Recreation Trail - Oxford, Mississippi