Starkville, Mississippi Weekend Escapes: 10 Short Road Trips Nearby

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10 Easy Out-of-County Road Trips from Starkville, Mississippi

If you live in or around Starkville, MS, you’ve probably hit all the local hot spots. So what do you do when you’re craving a change of scenery, but you don’t want to spend all day in the car? Good news: there are plenty of fun, easy day trips near Starkville in the surrounding counties of Choctaw, Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, Webster, and Winston. Most of these are under an hour or so away, making them perfect for a relaxed Saturday adventure. Below are 10 short out-of-county road trips where you can find new things to do, eat, and explore around Starkville—without needing a hotel or a plane ticket.

1. Stroll the Riverwalk & Downtown Columbus (Lowndes County)

Just about 25 miles east of Starkville, Columbus, Mississippi, is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips you can take. Start with a peaceful walk or bike ride along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Riverwalk. This paved path hugs the river for several miles and is great for:
  • Morning walks or jogs
  • Family bike rides
  • Taking photos by the water
Afterward, head into Downtown Columbus for:
  • Locally owned restaurants and coffee shops
  • Antique stores and small boutiques
  • Beautiful old homes and historic buildings
If you like Southern history and architecture, Columbus is famous for its antebellum homes. Even if you don’t book a tour, just driving or walking through the older neighborhoods is a treat. Road trip tip: Plan a late-afternoon visit so you can watch the sun set over the river before heading back to Starkville.

2. Explore History at the U.S. Army Corps & Heritage Sites in Columbus (Lowndes County)

While you’re in Columbus, you can turn your day trip into a mini history lesson. Look up:
  • Local historic districts – Many streets are lined with homes dating back to the 1800s.
  • Military and river heritage spots – The area ties into the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and regional military history.
Walk around, read the markers, and take your time. If you’re the kind of person who likes to imagine “what this town looked like 150 years ago,” Columbus will keep you busy. Why it’s great from Starkville: It’s close, easy to navigate, and has a very different feel from a college town—more riverfront, more old homes, and a slower pace.

3. Go Birdwatching & Wildlife Spotting in Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge (Noxubee County)

About 30–40 minutes southeast of Starkville, the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best nature escapes in the region. It sits in Noxubee County and stretches into a couple of neighboring counties, but you’ll enter out of Oktibbeha. Here you’ll find:
  • Peaceful lakes and marshes
  • Boardwalks and observation decks
  • Well-marked driving routes and short trails
Keep an eye out for:
  • Alligators sunning near the water
  • Egrets, herons, and ducks
  • Bald eagles and other raptors, especially in cooler months
You can easily spend a couple of hours just driving the refuge roads, stepping out at overlooks, and taking photos. Personal note: This is one of those spots where time slows down. If life in Starkville feels busy, an hour in the refuge listening to frogs and birds can reset your whole mood.

4. Hike & Picnic at Tombigbee National Forest – Winston County Side (Winston County)

If you’re in the mood for trees, fresh air, and the smell of pine needles, head south into Winston County and the Tombigbee National Forest. On the Winston County side, you’ll find:
  • Forest roads perfect for slow scenic drives
  • Short trails that are good for casual hikers
  • Quiet picnic spots to spread out and relax
You don’t have to be a hard-core hiker to enjoy this area. Even a 20-minute walk along a forest trail can feel like you’re much farther from home than you really are. Road trip idea: Pack a cooler with sandwiches, chips, and drinks in Starkville, then find a shady spot under the trees for a simple picnic lunch.

5. Step Back in Time in Downtown Louisville (Winston County)

While you’re in Winston County, make a stop in Louisville, MS (about 40–45 minutes from Starkville). It has a small but charming downtown that’s great for a low-key afternoon. What you can do:
  • Walk along Main Street and browse local shops
  • Grab lunch at a hometown café or diner
  • Check out historic buildings and small-town storefronts
Louisville gives you that classic “small Southern town” feeling—brick buildings, friendly people, and a slower pace than you might find in a college town. If you like photography, this is a good place for:
  • Storefront signs
  • Old brick walls
  • Street scenes that feel like a movie set

6. Broaden Your Horizons at Prairie Wildlife & the West Point Area (Clay County)

Head north from Starkville into Clay County and toward West Point, MS, and the surrounding prairie land. This part of Mississippi looks a little different—more open fields, long views, and rolling countryside. Near West Point, you can:
  • Drive country roads and enjoy wide-open skies
  • Check out local spots that highlight the area’s hunting and outdoor traditions
  • Visit small eateries and shops for a taste of local flavor
The broader region is known for outdoor recreation, bird hunting in season, and conservation-minded properties like Prairie Wildlife (a private operation in the Clay County area that focuses on habitat and wingshooting experiences). Even if you’re not booking a hunt, just being out in that landscape shows a whole different side of Mississippi. Why it’s worth the drive: The open prairies just feel different from the wooded areas around Starkville and Noxubee. It’s a nice visual change if you’re used to seeing mostly pine and hardwood forests.

7. Discover Small-Town Charm in West Point (Clay County)

Since you’re already in Clay County, make time to explore Downtown West Point itself. You’ll find:
  • A walkable downtown core
  • Locally owned restaurants and coffee spots
  • Occasional events and live music, depending on the season
West Point is one of those places where you can park once, then wander, eat, and browse for an hour or two. That makes it a stress-free day trip from Starkville—no complicated parking, no big-city traffic. Road trip tip: Pair West Point with a scenic drive through the surrounding countryside for a relaxed half-day loop.

8. Quiet Country Drives & Courthouse Squares in Webster County

Drive northwest from Starkville into Webster County, and you’ll slip into a landscape of rolling hills, forests, and small-town squares. Towns in this county offer:
  • Classic courthouse squares with local history
  • Simple, down-to-earth cafés and diners
  • Short, peaceful drives with very little traffic
This is a good option if you:
  • Don’t want big crowds
  • Enjoy just “going for a drive” on a Sunday afternoon
  • Like to see how different small Mississippi towns feel from one another
Personal suggestion: Put on your favorite playlist, grab a drink to-go from Starkville, and just drive. Stop whenever you see a pretty view, an old church, or a tiny store that catches your eye.

9. Discover Wooded Backroads & Hidden Lakes in Choctaw County

Head west from Starkville into Choctaw County, and you’ll find a mix of forest, farmland, and small communities. Things to look for:
  • Wooded backroads perfect for leisurely cruising
  • Scenic spots near small lakes and ponds
  • Local eateries where everyone seems to know each other
If you enjoy photography or just love the feeling of being “off the beaten path,” Choctaw County is ideal. The roads are usually quiet, and you can pull over safely to enjoy:
  • Sunset views over fields
  • Pine forests glowing in late-afternoon light
  • Old barns and rural scenes
Why it’s a great short road trip from Starkville: It feels rural and peaceful, but you’re still only about an hour or less from home.

10. Mix & Match: Build Your Own Multi-County Loop

One of the best parts about living in Starkville is that you’re right in the middle of several counties: Choctaw, Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, Webster, and Winston. That means you can easily combine a few of these ideas into one big loop. Here’s a simple example for a full Saturday:
  • Morning: Start in Starkville and head to Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge for a short drive and some wildlife watching.
  • Midday: Drive north toward West Point (Clay County) for lunch and a stroll downtown.
  • Afternoon: Continue east to Columbus (Lowndes County) for a walk on the Riverwalk and a coffee stop downtown.
  • Evening: Take the easy drive back to Starkville before dark.
Or build a “forest day”:
  • Explore rural roads in Choctaw County
  • Cut down through Webster County
  • Finish with a quiet stop in the Tombigbee National Forest in Winston County
You can make the loop as long or as short as you’d like. That’s the beauty of having so many short road trips near Starkville.

Final Thoughts: Road Trips Near Starkville Don’t Have to Be Complicated

You don’t need a long vacation or a big budget to break out of your routine in Starkville. Within an hour or so, you can:
  • Walk riverfront trails in Columbus
  • Spot wildlife in Noxubee County
  • Wander small-town squares in West Point, Louisville, and other nearby communities
  • Get lost (on purpose) on quiet country roads in Choctaw, Webster, and Winston counties
If you’ve grown up in this area, you might feel like you’ve “seen it all,” but sometimes it just takes a new route or a slower pace to notice what’s been there all along.

Share Your Favorite Starkville Day Trips

Have you taken a fun out-of-county road trip from Starkville? Did I miss one of your favorite spots in Choctaw, Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, Webster, or Winston County? I’d love to hear about it.
  • Drop a comment with your go-to day trip or hidden gem.
  • Share this post with friends and family who are always saying, “There’s nothing to do around here.”
You might just inspire someone’s next Saturday adventure—maybe even your own.
Location: Georgetown, IN, USA

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