Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
While in Ocean Springs, visit the Walter Inglis Anderson Museum, south of US 90 in
the main part of town; follow the signs. Anderson was a local artist who spent much of his
life studying and painting the local wonders of nature, particularly Horn Island. Sometimes,
Anderson would row out to Horn Island alone and stay there for weeks at a time, surround-
ing himself with and studying the nature of the place. Anderson was a unique and talented
individual. Parts of his home, which he decorated extensively with his art, are preserved in
the museum. Some of his art representing the wildlife of the area is on display at the Davis
Bayou visitor center.
Shepard State Park
This convenient park in Gautier (pronounced go-shay) provides a mixture of woodlands
and marsh. Part of the park is developed for group recreation and for RVs and camping, but
toward the northern end of the park, there is a picnic area from which trails go out into the
pine/oak woods and along the bank of the marsh. Wood ducks can be seen in the small stream
at the start of the trail. After crossing a small bridge, the trail divides three ways; the trail to
the left (south) leads along the shore of the marsh and comes to an overlook into the marsh.
Continuing on this trail takes you into the woods where a series of trails wind through the
forest. All of these trails circle around to reconnect with each other.
Seaside, sharp-tailed, savannah, swamp, and Bachman's sparrows winter here; during that
season, also look for rusty blackbird and rails, particularly king rail, in the marsh. Spring and
fall migrants can occur here, but it is not one of the best spots for consistently finding them.
Groove-billed ani has been seen here in spring and fall.
The park entrance is on the north side of Graveline Road, 1.5 miles east of its intersection
with Ladnier Road, which turns south off US 90 just east of where the Gautier-Van-cleave
Road (the road going south from exit 61 on I-10) hits US 90. There is an entrance fee. Inside
the park there are named, gravel roads; take Navaho Road until it dead-ends at Mohawk
Road. Go left to the picnic area; the trails begin at the southern end of this area.
Gulf Marine State Park
Turn south on Myrtle Street, at the first light on US 90 west of the bridge from Ocean
Springs to Biloxi, to find Gulf Marine State Park. This small park gives you views out over
the pass between Biloxi and Ocean Springs and Biloxi Bay.
Least Tern Nesting Area
Large numbers of endangered least terns nest during the spring and early summer on a por-
tion of the beach near Gulfport. As many as 6,000 pairs nest here, making this the largest
