October is here, and cooler weather has finally made its way down to Mississippi. The autumn season is synonymous with the return of football season, pumpkin spice lattes and leaping into a sizable pile of multicolored leaves. How is it fair such a beautiful season occurs during midterms? Classes unfortunately pick up pace during this time of the semester, which can often result with you feeling trapped inside classrooms and libraries. Need a place to escape the world of textbooks and PowerPoint presentations? Here are a few places around the Starkville area to enjoy the new season with activities that are both fun and frugal.
 
SAM D. HAMILTON NOXUBEE WILDLIFE REFUGE
Consisting of 48,000 acres, the refuge provides several areas for relaxation and adventure. Bring a book and take advantage of the multiple reading spots while surrounding yourself with natural beauty and escaping into your literary world of choice. Past the parking area, the tall trees lining Bluff Lake present opportunities for long days spent in ENO hammocks soaking up the sunshine and cool breeze.
Lace up your sneakers or boots to go hiking through the refuge’s various trails. Located in the Bevill Hill area and consisting of a 1.75-mile loop, deputy refuge manager Kimberly Sykes and park ranger Andrea Dunstan said Scattertown Trail is their favorite.
“When you walk the trail this time of year, you get to see beautiful vistas with all the leaves changing colors for the fall season,” Sykes said.
Dunstan said a new tower looking over Loakfoma Creek is accessible for another beautiful view of the refuge. Though the tower cannot be seen from the road, following the brick path through the Webster Memorial will lead to this spot.
                 
MOUNTAIN BIKING AND TRAIL RUNNING AT NORTH FARM
Feeling the need to get out and bike in the crisp air? Trails are located within the R. R. Foil Plant Science Research Center, commonly referred to as North Farm. Outdoor adventures coordinator Trey Harrison said the research park trails are one of his favorite outdoor activities in Starkville.
“The great thing about North Farm is that you can do the mountain biking trials, and then if you get a little worn out, you can get on roads and ride back at an easier pace,” Harrison said. “You can make it a three to five-mile loop – however you want to do it.”
Trail running is also an option for those who want to brave the hills. The trails start by the sandy area near the entomology building inside the research park. Another option is parking at the rose garden and riding or running the flat roads until reaching the beginning of the dirt trails. Be careful visiting North Farm during this month because road construction is taking place for a new boulevard that will serve as a second entrance to the research park.
VETERANS MEMORIAL ROSE GARDEN
While you are out at North Farm, take a break at Veterans Memorial Rose Garden. Owned by Mississippi State as a resource and teaching site, the rose garden is also accessible to the public. Paved walkways through the beds give guests the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the various fall flowers. A central gazebo provides shade and benches to take in the scenery. Pamela Collins, director of gardens, said a lot of color is currently on display since fall is the second bloom season for roses.
“Since the weather has gotten cooler, the roses are rebounding and they are putting on their fall display, which will remain in bloom until mid to late October,” Collins said. “At least until frost, you are going to have good blooms.”
The parking area for the rose garden located off Highway 182 will be available until further road construction for North Farm takes place within the next few weeks.