Four Blueways trailheads were installed in July along the Pascagoula River and Buffett Beach through a partnership between the city of Pascagoula, Jackson County and the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, expanding public access to local waterways while highlighting the city’s history.
Blueways are mapped water trails marked by mile markers for kayakers and paddlers. While the Blueway routes already existed, city officials said the new trailheads provide visible access points from land, helping visitors locate launch sites and navigate the waterways.
“We are very blessed in Pascagoula to be situated between the river and the Mississippi Sound, so we are really known for recreation already,” Community Relations Director Lindsay Mitchell said. “It is also very closely tied to our story and our history.”
The city selected four existing waterfront access points with boat launches for the project: Lighthouse Park, Point Park, River Park and the La Pointe-Krebs House. The trailheads feature Bluewaysmaps, route information and interpretive panels highlighting the history of each location.
“There was minimal signage on shore encouraging people to utilize these beautiful Blueway trails, so we wanted to go ahead and enhance that,” Mitchell said.
Lighthouse Park tells the story of Pascagoula’s nationally known 1973 UFO abduction case, reported by two local fishermen along the Pascagoula River. Point Park highlights Ingalls Shipbuilding and the city’s designation as a World War II Heritage City. River Park shares the legend of the Singing River, while the La Pointe-Krebs House trailhead explains the significance of one of Mississippi’s oldest standing structures.
The project also includes the Pascagoula-Buffett Beach Blueway, which follows the city’s beachfront and expands paddling opportunities beyond the Pascagoula River.
The city received a grant from the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area to install the trailheads, a project Mitchell said had been in development for about a year and a half.
The city does not offer kayak rentals, but visitors can rent kayaks or participate in guided kayak tours through the Pascagoula River Audubon Center.
The trailheads have been completed, and the city plans to host an official unveiling at a later date.
