Sunset Spots in Mississippi: Best Places for Views and Photos
Where to Take the Best Photos of the Mississippi Sunset?
The best sunset spots in Mississippi range from barrier islands and river bluffs to quiet Gulf towns bathed in warm, honeyed light. Across the state, the landscape changes dramatically: wide beaches give way to marshes, long fishing piers reach into open water, and the Mississippi River unfurls like a ribbon of molten copper at dusk.
Whether you’re wandering along a sleepy coastal boardwalk, watching herons skim over a reservoir, or standing on a bluff high above the river, each sunset spot reveals a different side of the Magnolia State. Read on to discover the places where the sky puts on its most unforgettable shows.
1. Biloxi Beach
Stunning sunsets over shimmering white sand
Good for: Photo, Couples, Nightlife
Biloxi Beach, with its long, shimmering sweep of white sand, is a 26-mile expanse that forms part of the world’s largest man-made beach. Here, the Mississippi Sound glows gold at day’s end, while behind you, Beach Boulevard’s historic homes and moss-draped oaks soften the skyline.
The beach is steps from the Biloxi Lighthouse, whose silhouette becomes an excellent focal point for sunset photos. Arrive early to stroll the boardwalk, cast a line from the shore, or watch jet skis carve the water. As evening settles, choose a beachfront restaurant and enjoy a scrumptious seafood dinner as the sky blushes over the Gulf.
Biloxi Beach
2. Natchez Bluff
For views where the sun sinks down the Mississippi River
Good for: Photo, Couples, Families
Set high above the Mississippi River, the Natchez Bluff offers one of the state’s most cinematic sunset views. It’s home to Bluff Park, which dates back to the city’s 1790 Spanish founding. Hot air balloons were once launched here in the early 1800s, a tradition still kept alive by the Natchez Balloon Festival.
The park is a prime sunset spot, where you can see the sun sink perfectly down the river. Alternatively, head to the area south of the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge, which offers glowing reflections. Outdoor enthusiasts can follow the Bluff Trail along its clifftop route before descending a 200-ft wooden staircase to the river’s edge. Catch a molten gold sunset by the river.
Location: Natchez, MS 39120, USA
Natchez Bluff
3. Gulf Islands National Seashore
A nature-filled sunset spot
Good for: Adventure, Photo
On the Mississippi coast, the Gulf Islands National Seashore feels like the edge of the world: windswept and reshaped constantly by tides, storms, and shifting sands. These barrier islands are home to oak forests, marshlands brimming with birds, and waters rich with marine life.
Spend the day swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, or wandering the remnants of a historic fort, then stay for the main event: a sunset that seems to envelop the entire horizon. With its south-facing shoreline, the Seashore offers clear views of both sunrise and sunset, making it a rare dual-view destination. For a peaceful vantage point on the mainland, head to the Davis Bayou Fishing Pier, where the sky meets still water.
Phone: +1 850-934-2600
Gulf Islands National Seashore
4. Bay St Louis
Sensational sunsets from a tiki boat
Good for: Photo, Couples, Food
Filled with Southern hospitality, Bay St. Louis is one of Mississippi’s most beloved small towns, and sunset only elevates its magic. Wander beneath moss-covered oaks, stepping into historic cottages that open into art galleries, charming boutiques, and rustic cafés. On Second Saturdays, the streets fill with music and open-air markets.
Spend the afternoon beachcombing on the Bay’s pet-friendly white sands, go charter fishing, or play a round of golf. For top-tier sunset views, hop aboard a tiki boat tour and watch the sky unfurl in pinks and oranges as you drift along the shoreline.
Bay St Louis
5. Ocean Springs Beach
Two beaches to soak in the sunset
Good for: Photo, Couples, Families
Welcome the day’s end on the beautiful beaches of Ocean Springs. The town’s two public beaches, Front Beach near the yacht club and the gentler, 3-mile-long East Beach, offer shallow, calm waters that make them ideal for families.
Front Beach brings extra opportunities for fun with fire pits, volleyball nets, and easy access to Fort Maurepas Park, while East Beach stays wonderfully peaceful, bordered by bayous and marsh grass. Rent a bike for the Live Oaks Bicycle Route, or paddle the Ocean Springs Blueways through hidden waterways before settling into the sand for sunset. When the sky turns peach and lavender over the Gulf, head for the beach bonfires that flicker to life and leave the everyday behind.
Ocean Springs Beach
6. Popps Ferry Causeway Park
A serene sunset escape
Good for: Adventure, Photo, Families
A restful escape just outside Biloxi, Popp’s Ferry Causeway Park is a patchwork of boardwalks, fishing kiosks, and quiet nature trails that stretch across 10 acres of waterfront. Kayakers paddle across the water, anglers cast their lines, and birdlife drifts across the marsh at golden hour.
The Biloxi and Tchoutacabouffa rivers merge here. You can feel their presence in the soft gush of the water and the cooling breeze at dusk. Explore scenic overlooks, take a tranquil waterside stroll, and look out for local wildlife. Bring a camera: the sunsets here paint the Bay of Biloxi in fiery streaks that look almost unreal.
Location: 560 Causeway Dr, Biloxi, MS 39532, USA
Phone: +1 228-388-7170
Popps Ferry Causeway Park
7. Ross R Barnett Reservoir
A spot known for its kaleidoscopic sunsets
Good for: Adventure, Photo, Families
Known simply as “The Rez” to locals, the Ross R. Barnett Reservoir is Central Mississippi’s largest playground for boaters, campers, and sunset seekers. Over 30,000 acres of water, 2 multi-purpose trails, and a winding mountain bike path near Mule Jail Lake make it a great spot for recreation.
Families relax at waterfront parks, and herons glide low across the lake as the sun begins to descend. The reservoir is famous for its kaleidoscopic sunsets, when broad skies ignite in reds and tangerines that reflect off the still water. Stay a little longer than you planned; twilight is when The Rez is at its most beautiful.
Ross R Barnett Reservoir
8. Grenada Lake
Cinematic sunsets over rolling hills
Good for: Adventure, Photo
Set at the threshold of the Mississippi Delta, Grenada Lake offers vast, unbroken views and vivid sunsets. Its 90,000-plus acres of rolling hills, pine forests, and open water attract hikers, boaters, and bird-watchers throughout the year.
Start at the Visitor Center, where exhibits and video displays delve into the region’s natural and cultural history. Spend the day exploring trails or gliding across the water, then find a quiet overlook as the sun dips behind the hills. At golden hour, soak in views of the sky washing into shades of pink and apricot over the pristine lake waters.
Grenada Lake
9. Mississippi Welcome Center Overlook in Vicksburg
Local art, beautiful bridges, and dramatic sunset views
Good for: History, Photo
Perched above the Mississippi River, the Vicksburg Welcome Center Overlook delivers some of the most sweeping river views in the state. From its distinctive colonnade, you can watch the water curve past the twin bridges: an iconic frame for sunset photographs.
The visitor center displays original Mississippi art, adding a cultural touch before you head out to the overlook. The footbridge also offers great views, but be sure to check its status as it’s not always open. After the sun dips and the river turns bronze, continue into historic Vicksburg and take a deep dive into the story of this river town founded in 1811.
Location: 4210 Washington St, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
Phone: +1 601-638-4269
Mississippi Welcome Center Overlook in Vicksburg
10. Pascagoula Beach Park
A family-friendly beach with unobstructed views
Good for: Budget, Photo, Families
A stretch of coastline overlooking the Gulf Coast, Pascagoula Beach Park features family-friendly activities and wide-open water views. Settle under the pines for a picnic, or wander the walking trails that wind along the shoreline. Children can splash in the fountain-filled play area.
The nearby 1,000-ft fishing pier offers the best sunset vantage point. Its long wooden planks lead you out over the water for an unobstructed view of the glowing horizon. Across Beach Boulevard, the boat launch provides quick access to the Mississippi Sound, where anglers head toward barrier islands just offshore. As evening settles, admire the view as the Gulf reflects soft pastels, turning the park into one of the coast’s most beautiful sunset spots.
Location: 600 City Park St, Pascagoula, MS 39567, USA
Phone: +1 228-762-1020
Pascagoula Beach Park
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