There’s something about the hum of a motor under you and a stretch of road ahead that clears your mind like nothing else. Mississippi, often overlooked in the grand touring plans of many riders, is a true sleeper when it comes to scenic motorcycle routes. The Magnolia State offers everything from delta blues history to winding roads that flirt with bayous and sprawling forests. If you’re looking for a ride that stirs your soul, challenges your skills just enough, and delivers charm around every bend, Mississippi is ready to roll out the welcome mat.

As someone who’s ridden all kinds of terrain—from cruiser-friendly highways to fire roads that’ll rattle your fillings loose—I know a good ride when I feel it in my throttle hand. These Mississippi routes? They surprised me. Whether you’re on two wheels or three (hello, fellow Can-Am Spyder riders), this state delivers hidden gems that deserve a spot on your ride radar.

The Natchez Trace Parkway: A Ride Through Time and Trees

Overview of the Route

If you only have time for one Mississippi ride, make it the Natchez Trace Parkway. This 444-mile scenic byway (with roughly 300 miles running through Mississippi) is a well-paved, no-commercial-traffic slice of history that begins in Natchez and glides all the way to Nashville. The Mississippi portion takes you through quiet forests, ancient Native American sites, and Civil War battlefields. It's not a technical ride—think lazy curves and smooth pavement—which makes it perfect for those of us looking to enjoy the view without a white-knuckle grip on the bars.

No stoplights. No semis. Just you, the breeze, and the gentle drone of your machine. Riding the Trace is like switching from caffeine-fueled chaos to a vinyl record on Sunday morning.

Local Eats and Stay Spots

Mammy’s Cupboard in Natchez – You cannot make this up. This place is a restaurant built into the skirt of a 28-foot-tall woman. The food? Southern comfort at its finest. Their chicken and dumplings and homemade pie are worth the carb crash.

The Guest House Historic Mansion – If you want to feel like a Southern aristocrat with biker boots, this is your stop. Park your bike in the cobbled courtyard and enjoy a peaceful night just blocks from the Natchez bluff.

The Mississippi Blues Trail: Ride the Rhythm of the Delta

Overview of the Route

No other state wears its musical roots on its sleeve like Mississippi. The Blues Trail isn’t a single road but a string of historical markers and stories scattered throughout the Delta. Start in Clarksdale—home of the legendary Crossroads—and weave your way through places like Dockery Farms, Indianola (B.B. King Museum), and down to Vicksburg.

The roads through the Delta are flat and wide open, but don’t let that fool you. The soul out here is thick. Riding these stretches is less about carving curves and more about letting the landscape and legacy seep into your bones.

Local Eats and Stay Spots

Abe’s Bar-B-Q in Clarksdale – Right at the crossroads of Highways 49 and 61, this place has been smoking meat since 1924. Try the pulled pork sandwich with their secret sauce and thank me later.

The Shack Up Inn – This one’s for those with a sense of humor and a love for quirk. You can literally stay in refurbished sharecropper shacks on an old cotton plantation. It’s gritty, it’s real, and it’s absolutely unforgettable.

The Great River Road: Bluffs, Bayous, and Backroads

Overview of the Route

Following the Mississippi River’s course from the Tennessee border down to Louisiana, this ride delivers a bit of everything—bluff-top views, tiny river towns, and twisty roads that dance with the water’s edge. The Mississippi portion of the Great River Road (marked with those familiar green pilot’s wheel signs) is ideal for day-trippers like me and my husband. We found it especially friendly to three-wheelers like my Spyder, with enough curves to keep it fun but not intimidating.

Cruise down through towns like Greenville, Leland, and Rosedale. Don’t miss the panoramic views from the Vicksburg National Military Park overlook. This road’s less traveled, and that’s exactly why you’ll love it.

Local Eats and Stay Spots

Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville – A true Southern institution. This place doesn’t care about fancy. You walk through the kitchen to get to your table. The steaks are Flintstone-sized and cooked to perfection.

Belmont Plantation in Greenville – One of the last remaining antebellum mansions you can stay in. They’ll even let you park your ride right up front, and if you're lucky, you might catch a sunrise over the Delta fog that’ll give you chills.

Extra Mississippi Hidden Gems Worth the Detour

Tishomingo State Park

Up in the northeastern corner of the state, Tishomingo is where the Appalachian foothills whisper into Mississippi’s ear. The ride in is loaded with elevation changes, rock outcroppings, and forest canopies. Great for those who like a little thrill with their scenery.

Recommendation: Stay at the park cabins and hike the swinging bridge trail before you head out. It’s worth the extra day.

Red Bluff

They call it the “Little Grand Canyon of Mississippi.” It’s just outside of Morgantown and makes for a dramatic photo op. The roads in and out are twisty enough to keep it interesting but manageable even for newer riders or folks like me who prefer their twisties with a little less “oh crap” factor.

Recommendation: Grab a burger at Ward’s in Columbia before or after you stop. It's no-frills and full of locals—just the way I like it.

Riding Mississippi on Three Wheels

Let me take a quick sidebar here and speak to the three-wheeled crowd. If you’re like me—riding a Can-Am Spyder to keep your knees in the wind without having to stress about road angles or surprise gravel—Mississippi is your friend. The state’s roads are generally well-maintained, and traffic is light once you get outside the bigger cities. Even the twistier spots like Tishomingo or the Great River Road can be tackled with ease on a trike. And honestly, there's something about pulling up to a local diner in the middle of nowhere with your ride gleaming in the sun that makes you feel like a rock star—even if you’re just there for pie.

Why Mississippi Deserves Your Motorcycle Bucket List

Mississippi isn't flashy. It's not trying to be the next Tail of the Dragon. What it offers is something deeper—roads that hum with history, food that sticks to your ribs (and maybe your thighs), and towns full of people who still wave when you ride by. For motorcycle riders looking for scenic routes, historic charm, and a slower pace that lets you breathe between the miles, this state checks all the boxes.

It's also friendly to folks like me—who’ve evolved from cruisers to adventure bikes to three wheels—with plenty of routes that welcome every kind of rider. Whether you're a solo road warrior, part of a group ride, or a married pair of day-trippers like me and my husband, Mississippi’s roads have something waiting for you.

So the next time you're planning a ride, don’t skip over the southern states. From the haunting echo of blues in the Delta to the rustle of bayou trees along the river, Mississippi just might surprise you. It sure did me.