Pontotoc Whistle Stop on the Tanglefoot Trail – Adventures, Part 2
First off, Pontotoc, MS isn’t technically a “Whistle Stop” — it’s officially designated as a Gateway on the Tanglefoot Trail. But since it’s our hometown, we’ve always called it the Pontotoc Whistle Stop and probably always will. The gateway, located at milepost 25.1, is a handy access point to the trail’s midsection. With parking right there, it’s an easy place to start your ride, take a breather, or just enjoy the view before heading out.
Catching You Up on the Tanglefoot Trail (Mississippi)
For a quick catch-up — the Tanglefoot Trail is a 43.6-mile paved path that winds through the foothills of north Mississippi. It’s part of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy program, which transforms old railroad lines into beautiful recreational trails. This one follows the former Mississippi Central Railroad line, once used for hauling timber and goods through the region. Now, instead of trains rumbling through, you’ll find bike riders, walkers, and e-trike enthusiasts enjoying the peaceful ride from New Albany to Houston, MS, We’ve walked the trail and ridden bicycles over the years, but now that we’ve aged a bit, these e-trikes have opened up a whole new way to enjoy it.
Parking, Playgrounds, and More
The first thing you’ll notice at the Pontotoc Whistle Stop is the ample parking — no need to stress about finding a spot. There’s a spacious lot, a brand-new playground for the kids, several picnic tables, and a covered pavilion that often hosts community events. And if you time it right, you might even catch a few food trucks parked there, perfect for grabbing a snack before or after your ride.
Our Favorite Bites Near the Gateway
Speaking of food, there are plenty of great spots in Pontotoc for anything from a quick snack to a full, home-cooked lunch. Honey Pies is one of our favorites — they serve specialty sandwiches, decadent desserts, and even little individual pies that are just the right size for one person. Montgomery’s on Main offers a full lunch and dinner menu, while The Wooden Spoon is where you go if you’re craving classic, home-style cooking with meats, vegetables, and desserts like peach cobbler.
Just east of Main Street(Liberty Street), you’ll find The Bleu Plate Truck, which serves more upscale grab-and-go meals like pasta, chicken, and shrimp. At the same location, The Bleu Collar Sandwich Co. is open from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., serving up specialty sandwiches — but no burgers here. The Bleu Plate Truck is so popular you’ll want to order ahead, so check their Facebook page to see the latest menu. They even do breakfast sometimes, which is perfect for an early ride.
Heading North to Ecru
From the Pontotoc Whistle Stop, you can ride north to Ecru or south to Algoma. On this ride, we headed north toward Ecru. The first mile or so is a straight stretch through some residential areas and light industrial sections of Pontotoc — not the most scenic part of the trail. But once you’re out of town, you’re surrounded by nature, and if you’re lucky, you might spot horses grazing along the fence lines as you ride by.
As you ride along, you’ll pass soybean fields and cornfields on both sides of the trail. Right now, the corn is dry and ready for harvest.
There are a few gentle hills along this stretch of the trail, and every now and then you’ll spot big round bales of hay, freshly harvested and ready for cattle feed.
Rest Stops Along the Way
Along the way, you’ll see a few simple benches where you can take a quick break. There’s also a covered rest spot — I think they call it a rain stop — with a roof and a picnic table, perfect if you need to wait out a shower or just take a longer pause. And of course, there are restrooms at the Gateway entrance in Pontotoc, which is always a plus before starting your ride.
Bumpy but Fun Bridges
Heading north toward Ecru, you’ll cross several long wooden bridges — and let me tell you, they’re bumpy! Hold on to your handlebars because you’ll feel every board as you roll across. It’s all part of the trail’s charm, though — the steady clunk-clunk of the boards reminds you that this path once carried trains instead of bicycles, golf carts, etrikes, and ebikes.
RV Parks
Cane Creek RV, 7855 MS-6, Pontotoc, MS 38863, Tent sites · RV camping · Wi-Fi, (662) 380-0997)
Serenity RV Park of Mississippi, 12501 Old Hwy 9, Belden, MS 38826, RV camping · Dogs allowed · Wi-Fi, (662) 269-0444
Bridgemore RV Park, 1315 Rowland Rd, Pontotoc, MS 38863, (662) 488-5853)
(Note: I’ve never stayed at any of the park, but just wanted to list for information. Please call them about access to the trail. They are not visible from the trail, so I’m not sure of their location.
Looking Ahead to Ecru
The distance between the Pontotoc Gateway and the Ecru Whistle Stop is about 7.5 miles, making it a comfortable ride at just about any pace. As far as shade goes, heading south toward Algoma offers a bit more cover along the trail. The stretch between Pontotoc and Ecru is fairly shady, too — until you get closer to Ecru where the farmland opens up. That section will feel toasty in the summer heat, but come fall, the sunshine there will be a welcome warm-up. I’ll share more about the Ecru Whistle Stop in an upcoming post, so stay tuned for more Tanglefoot Trail adventures and tips.
