Romantic getaways don’t have to be candlelit dinners and long-stemmed roses. For couples who thrive on adventure and connection through shared experiences, few things are as intimate—or invigorating—as exploring a new place on two wheels.
Ridgeland, Mississippi, tucked just north of Jackson, offers the perfect blend of Southern charm, luxurious comforts, and cycling-centric adventures. It’s where smooth trails, lakeside beauty, and curated hospitality come together to create a romantic escape designed for couples who like to keep moving.
We’ve cycled hundreds of miles around Ridgeland and savored some of its tastiest treats along the way. We invite you to join us in learning how to plan a cycling adventure to Mississippi’s most bicycle-friendly community, as designated by the League of American Bicyclists.
Why Ridgeland for a Romantic Biking Getaway?
Photo Credit: Ed Coleman.
Imagine a vibrant, modern city with sparkling clean hotels and diverse culinary options next to a 10,000-year-old trail and a 33,000-acre reservoir. That’s not a dream. It’s Ridgeland, Mississippi. This upscale community has invested heavily in making biking a part of its identity, with scenic paths, protected trails, and a welcoming cycling culture.
Casual riders will enjoy the paved Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail, which forms a cycling corridor, connecting upscale shopping, dining, and lodging with the massive Ross Barnett Reservoir. Experienced cyclists can embark on invigorating rides to a petrified forest, a cypress swamp, around the reservoir, or along the 444-mile Natchez Trace Scenic Parkway.
Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail
Photo Credit: Ed Coleman.
The Chisa Foka Trail is the heart of riding in Ridgeland. It runs about 10 miles from Colony Park to the Barnett Reservoir, roughly paralleling the Natchez Trace. In 2025, the popular 20-year-old trail underwent much-needed improvements, making it smooth and ready for the winter riding season heading into 2026.
Colony Park has two distinct areas, Renaissance at Colony Park and Township at Colony Park. The Explore Ridgeland site states, “Renaissance at Colony Park has an elegant, old-world design that sets architectural artistry against luxuriant landscaping.” The same could be said for Township as well. If you’re a casual cyclist, you can spend the day pedaling around the quiet suburban streets and urban lakes on a scenic loop between your hotel and delicious dining. This is also where you’ll find the Ridgeland Visitor Center, which is packed with helpful information (including a complete trail map!) and features a large bike share station.
On the way to “The Res”, you’ll pass The Bike Crossing, a premier bike shop staffed with avid cyclists who can help you with detailed information about the region’s world-class road rides. Also, be sure to stop by the Waller Craft Center to explore the art and craft installations and purchase a truly unique souvenir from local artists.
The trail reaches the Reservoir at Old Trace Park and continues to the Reservoir Overlook at milepost 105.6 on the Natchez Trace. The scenic views don’t stop at the overlook. Inside Old Trace Park, you can enjoy waterside dining at three restaurants: Pelican Cove Grill, Crabs Seafood Shack, and Cock of the Walk. You can also enjoy the views from the park’s 18-hole disc golf course.
Natchez Trace North
Photo Credit: Ed Coleman.
No biking trip to Ridgeland would be complete without time on the Natchez Trace Parkway. This 444-mile historic route once carried Native Americans, explorers, and traders across the Southeast. Today, it’s a National Scenic Byway where commercial traffic is banned, speed limits are low, and the road practically begs for cyclists. The Trace is mostly flat from the Reservoir Overloop (MP 105.6) to the River Bend Picnic Area (MP 122.6), making it a perfect location for an out-and-back ride.
The first eight miles of riding take you along the shores of the reservoir (think great views with lots of sun and a chance of afternoon winds) before entering a tunnel of trees. Be sure to check out the natural beauty of the boardwalks through the cypress swamp (MP 122) just before you reach the River Bend Picnic Area.
There are limited restrooms and water stops between Old Trace Park (MP 104.5) and River Bend Picnic Area (MP 122), with no more water stops available on the Trace until Holly Hill (MP 154.3). This makes River Bend an excellent rest stop that you might even use twice if you keep cycling up the Trace.
The Natchez Trace Century Ride attracts approximately a thousand riders to Ridgeland each year. It occurs on the first weekend in May and loops through country roads north of town before joining the Trace and heading back to the start at Old Trace Park. It’s an excellent way for riders to explore the Trace with additional support, including food and water stops, as well as local police directing traffic.
Natchez Trace South
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman
Natchez Trace continues south of Ridgeland in a tunnel of trees. Unlike heading north, you reach civilization in the town of Clinton, with a wide assortment of restaurants if you want to break up your ride with a good meal. Explore Ridgeland offers a 30-mile route to Clinton, but you’ll have to contend with the I-20 interchange if you ride much further.
From Ridgeland, you can hop directly onto the Trace going either direction, pedaling past quiet forests, meadows, and historic markers that tell the story of America’s early frontier. Couples can ride free from the stress of traffic, letting conversation and laughter flow as naturally as the miles roll by. Whether you’re a casual rider who wants a short scenic loop or a serious cyclist looking to push distance, the Natchez Trace offers both challenge and serenity.
Other Great Road Rides in Ridgeland
Photo Credit: Explore Ridgeland.
Explore Ridgeland promotes great road rides beyond Chisa Foka and Natchez Trace. They have a progressive series of rides to Pocahontas and beyond, including 40-mile and 65-mile routes to the Petrified Forest. Here you’ll find quaint country roads and flowing pastoral scenery.
The visitor center also promotes several routes that let you “Poke Around the Rez.” The 25-mile option takes you along the scenic shoreline portion of Natchez Trace and on a fun loop of the Chisa Foka Trails, including a rest stop at the Waller Craft Center. The 45-mile option allows you to circumnavigate the reservoir, featuring a waterside dining rest stop at Shaggy’s. Word to the wise, follow the route’s counter-clockwise flow. This direction not only lets you ride closer to the water and make easy right turns, but it also gets you through the exposed shoreline section during the still of the morning and brings you back waterside for a well-earned lunch.
Logistic Quick Hitters
Photo Credit: Ed Coleman.
Below is a list of links we used to plan our bicycle adventures to Ridgeland:
Ridgeland Bikeshare: Mississippi’s oldest bikeshare program
Ridgeland Weatherspark: More weather information than you can shake a weathervane at. Spoiler alert- spring and fall are beautiful. Summer is hot and muggy. Winter is cool but very rideable with an average high temperature of 63 degrees.
Recommended Hotels:
Featured Restaurants:
Beyond the Bike: Your Curated Couple’s Adventures
Photo Credit: Explore Ridgeland.
While biking may be the heart of your getaway, Ridgeland Ms. offers plenty of ways to round out the romance. Spend an afternoon exploring the city’s art galleries, which showcase regional talent and Southern creativity. Stroll hand in hand through the Renaissance at Colony Park, an upscale shopping and entertainment district that mixes European architecture with Mississippi warmth.
Here, you don’t have to choose between adventure and indulgence—you get both, woven seamlessly into a destination that celebrates the cycling lifestyle while delivering elevated experiences. For adventurous, experience-driven travelers, Ridgeland is more than a getaway. It’s a chance to pedal into romance, one ride at a time.
Ready to Book Your Trip? These Links Will Make It Easy:
Lodging:
Car Rental:
Insurance:
- Protect your trip and yourself with Squaremouth and Medjet
- Safeguard your digital information by using a VPN. We love NordVPN as it is superfast for streaming Netflix
- Stay safe on the go and stay connected with an eSim card through AloSIM
- Know your rights after injuries or accidents about common injury claims in Mississippi
Our Packing Favs:
- We LOVE Matador Equipment for their innovative products and sustainability focus. Their SEG45 is a game changer when you need large capacity while packing light.
- Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from Knack Bags
- Packing cubes make organized packing a breeze! We love these from Eagle Creek
Disclosure: A big thank you to Explore Ridgeland for hosting us and setting up a fantastic itinerary! For more Ridgeland Mississippi travel inspiration, check out their Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube accounts.
As always, the views and opinions expressed are entirely our own, and we only recommend brands and destinations that we 100% stand behind.
Hi! We are Jenn and Ed Coleman aka Coleman Concierge. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel.
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