Guidry also sees indications of more hiking activity. The Black Creek Trail has long been popular, and now there is also a new Rails to Trails hiking and biking path that runs from Hattiesburg to Prentiss. Guidry said hiking, biking, and paddle sports are particularly popular among the college crowd in Hattiesburg. Canoeing has always been popular, and is still going really strong, Guidry said. And kayaking is certainly picking up around here.
Scuba diving is also very popular, and is growing every summer.
Canoe rental operators report that business is on the upswing. We seem to get a little busier each year, said Lisa Robinson, co-owner of Okatoma Canoe Rental in Sanford. We ve had a good spring. The river has been running good. The Louisiana residents are attracted by the rapids on the Okatoma.