Hikes: 

Depending on the size of the group and park visitation that day, Scouts leaders may be asked to park their vehicles at the Maintenance Compound. The Ranger on duty at the entrance station will direct you where to park. Be sure to lock your vehicles before starting your park activities.

Each group must register at the Visitor Center information desk upon arrival. It is required for each group to see the park introductory movie. The eighteen-minute presentation provides an overview of the Vicksburg campaign and is shown on the hour and the half-hour.  The first presentation in the morning begins at 8 a.m. and the last showing starts at 4:30 p.m.  Scouts should also plan to view the exhibits and displays inside the Visitor Center before starting their hike.

Hikers are urged to use the restrooms and to fill their canteens before leaving the Visitor Center area. Restrooms and drinking fountains are also available at the U.S.S. Cairo Museum, located midway along the TRAIL and the AL SCHELLER SCOUT TRAIL. Knives, axes, and other cutting instruments are not permitted on the trials. For safety sake, hikers must walk in single file along the roads and trail and leaders are urged to keep their troop/pack together as a group.

TREK HIKE: 7 miles  detailed information

The TREK HIKE begins and ends at the Visitor Center. The hike follows along park roads and hikers walk facing traffic. There are a few short, yet steep hills to climb. There are no questions to answer along the route, but Scouts are encouraged to read the monuments and markers that dot the landscape and detail the military operations that occurred in that area of the field. A patch and hatpin are available for purchase from the Vicksburg Trials Commission by those who complete the hike. The address and forms are available on-line or via the U.S. Mail.

TRAIL: 14 miles       detailed information

The TRAIL begins and ends at the Visitor Center. The hike follows along park roads and hikers walk facing traffic. There are a number of steep hills along the route and Scouts are encouraged to rest as needed during the hike. Restrooms, drinking fountains, and a picnic area are available midway along the route at the U.S.S. Cairo Museum. To qualify for the patch and/or medal awarded to those who complete the TRAIL, Scouts are required to answer a number of questions along the route. One answer sheet suffices for the entire group.

AL SCHELLER SCOUT TRAIL: 12 miles    detailed information

The AL SCHELLER SCOUT TRAIL also begins and ends at the Visitor Center. It is a physically demanding trail due to the rugged and densely wooded terrain it traverses. Designed as a compass trail, Scouts who attempt this trail should be skilled in the use of a compass. Restrooms, drinking fountains, and a picnic area are available midway along the route at the U.S.S. Cairo Museum. Scouts must answer a number of questions along the route to qualify for the patch and/or medal awarded by the Vicksburg Trails Committee. One answer sheet suffices for the entire group.

Scouts should dress in uniform and wear comfortable shoes for walking on park roads. Those taking the AL SCHELLER SCOUT TRAIL should wear sturdy boots and long pants due to poisonous and thorny plants. Weather conditions vary in the extreme. Summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees with high humidity. Throughout the summer there are frequent late afternoon thunderstorms. Temperatures as well as humidity in the Spring and Fall are moderate with an increased chance of rain. Winter temperatures range from below freezing to the mid 50s and rainfall varies from year to year. Seldom is there snow, but ice storms hit the area every few years. Scouts should be prepared for inclement weather. Tornadoes frequently hit west-central Mississippi in which case Scouts should be prepared to seek shelter. Park Rangers will notify Scouts groups if bad weather is eminent.

All Scout troops should carry a first aid kit as wasps, bees, hornets, and fire-ants are prevalent  Spring through Fall and a variety of poisonous snakes inhabit the park. Poisonous plants also thrive in the park environment. Ambulance service and hospital facilities are available nearby in case of more sever injuries. Troops may want to carry a cell phone with them on the hike for emergency use. You can contact Park Rangers by calling 636-2199.