Ridgeland Waterfront Running Options

There’s some scenic waterfront running in Ridgeland, a northeast suburb of Jackson. The eastern end of Ridgeland overlooks the Ross R Barnett Reservoir. We’ve mapped a route of 10+ miles one-way, so best to choose a section.

Old Trace Park/Dyke Rd. Section. A great place to start, and the most scenic and accessible section of our route, starts near Old Trace Park (alternatively you can park and start at northern terminus of the Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail, at milepost 105.6 of the Parkway). A paved multi-use path runs through this pleasant waterfront park. Then, continue on Dyke Rd., right along the water, with great views, for 2 miles to the pier at Breakers Ln. This would be a nice 6-mile out and back.

Spillway Rd. Section. Continue south on Spillway Rd. This four lane road runs right along the water. It’s a wide road with fast-moving cars, but there’s a decent shoulder on the water side of then road, with water views the whole way. It’s 3.6 miles south to Lakeahore Dr.

Woodlake Area and Bridge. From the Spillway Rd./Lakeshore Dr. intersection, continue on the multi-use path alongside Lakeshroe Dr. for ~1 mile, and do a loop around the two small, pleasant waterfront parks — Bobby Cleveland Park and Pelahatchie Shore Park. Each of them are ~1 mile. Then if you’d like, continue on the North Shore Parkway, a 1.5 causeway over the Reservoir. It’s a busy road with fast moving traffic, but there’s a wide shoulder. Great water views!

Add-Ons:

• Combine with a section of the Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail, whose northern terminus is 1 mile north of Old Trace Park at Milepost 105.6 of the Natchez Trace Parkway.
• Mule Jail Trail. Located below the Reservoir Dam and accessed from Spillway Road while traveling east from Ridgeland. There is a small parking area just off the exit ramp from Spillway Road before going over the dam. It is a 3.5 mile loop trail which runs around cypress swamps and is maintained by Pearl River Valley Association. There are signs throughout the property. It is closed during hunting season and open Feb- Sept. Note this is a trail run.