Natchez Trace Parkway
This is the story of human beings on the move, of the age-old need to get from one place to another. It is a story of Natchez, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Indians following traditional lifeways, of French and Spanish settlers venturing into a new world, and of Americans building a new nation. At first the trace was probably a series of hunters' paths that slowly came to form a trail from the Mississippi over the low hills into the valley of the Tennessee. Read More »
Natchez Trace Parkway Highlights
- Bike all 444 miles of the historic parkway, stopping to camp at specially designated bike-only campsites along the way. The best seasons are spring and fall.
- Visit Shiloh National Military Park, site of a bloody Civil War battle in 1862. Historical reenactments take place from April to October, with a major living-history demonstration each April to commemorate the event.
- Go for a horseback ride on the 18-mile Witch Dance Horse Trail in Mississippi's Tombigbee National Forest.
- If you're traveling south to north, finish off your tour with a welcome feast at Nashville's Loveless Cafe, where you’ll replenish some energy with mouthwatering Southern cuisine such as fried chicken, scratch biscuits, and BBQ ribs.
- Camp at 33,000-acre Ross Barnett Reservoir, just outside Jackson, Miss., where you can fish and swim to your heart's content after your road-biking odyssey down the Trace. When crawfish are in season (January through May), chow down on fresh grub at Sal & Phil's in nearby Ridgeland.
- More than 310 miles of the Natchez Trace Parkway run through the Magnolia State, from the northeastern hills to the Mississippi River in the southwest. Many historic and scenic stops lie along the way.
- The parkway can be busy as it passes through the metro areas of Tupelo and Jackson. However, each area has enhanced recreational facilities, such as trails, to encourage visitors.
- Picnic areas, restrooms, and gas stops are situated along the parkway to avail easy traveling between sightseeing areas. Sights along the drive include those of natural beauty, such as Owens Creek Falls and wooded swamps; as well as historic features, such as Choctaw village sites, Confederate graves, and old stands where Trace travelers stayed.
- Other public lands, such as Tishomingo State Park and Tombigbee National Forest, add to the recreational possibilities along the Trace.
- Two free campgrounds on the parkway add to the possibilities. Jeff Busby, at milepost 193, is in hilly terrain and has hiking trails nearby. Rocky Springs is set near the historic abandoned town of Rocky Springs and includes preserved parts of the original Trace. Both have water and restrooms.
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Natchez Trace Parkway Travel Q&A
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What You Can Do in Natchez Trace Parkway
Articles & Advice on Natchez Trace Parkway
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Parks Near Natchez Trace Parkway
- Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, MS (4.9 mi.)
- Homochitto National Forest, MS (16 mi.)
- Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge, LA (39 mi.)
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