National Scenic Trails

The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail was established on March 28, 1983 and is a unit of the National Trails System. The proposed trail extends for approximately 694 miles from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. The trail traverses federal, state and private land, in which only certain segments are open for visitor use.

There are currently 62 miles of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail open for use in four areas along the Natchez Trace Parkway. At the northern end of the Parkway there are 24 miles of trail within the Leipers Fork District, near Franklin, Tennessee, extending from the Garrison Creek Parking Area (milepost 427.6), south to Tennessee Highway 50 (milepost 408). The Tupelo District in Tupelo, Mississippi, has 7 miles of trail open for use extending from the Beech Springs parking area (milepost 266) to Chickasaw Village (milepost 261.8). The Ridgeland District, near Ridgeland, Mississippi, has 20.5 miles of trail open for use extending from the Choctaw Boundary (milepost 128.5), south to the West Florida Boundary (milepost 108). Near Port Gibson, Mississippi, the Rocky Springs section of trail, within the Port Gibson District, has 10 miles open for use extending from the Regantown road trailhead (milepost 59), south to Russell Road (milepost 50.8). The trail has been built and maintained primarily by members of the Natchez Trace Trail Conference, Vicksburg Trail Dusters, Student Conservation Association, Boy Scouts of America and other interested volunteers. Future additions of trail are planned.

Portions of the trail follow sections of the original historic Natchez Trace. Hiking and horseback riding along the trail will take you through areas of rolling hills, meadows, pine and hardwood forests, steep ravines and some creek crossings. The trail is marked with white rectangular or oblique triangle blazes. Side, spur and loop trails are blazed in blue. Sections of the trail follow along the Parkway road shoulder and also cross county and state roads. Please use extreme caution when traveling or crossing in these sections.

Be aware that the parkway right-of-way line, blazed in yellow and marked by signs, is quite narrow and the trail route often passes very close to this line, which is immediately adjacent to private property. Please respect property owners' rights along the trail route. Specific trail information may be obtained from trail brochures on each of the designated sections that are open. These brochures will provide information on the general area, accommodations, and directions to the trailheads.

Leipers Fork District
(Milepost 427.6-408)
427 6 Garrison Creek Trailhead
422 9 Carter Road Trailhead
415 8 Highway 7 Trailhead
408 Highway 50 Trailhead
Water available at the Gordon House and Garrison Creek
Restrooms at Garrison Creek
Tent and RV camping at Meriwether Lewis Campground

Ridgeland District
(Milepost 128.5-108)
1285 Upper Choctaw
Boundary Parking Area
122 8 River Bend Picnic Area
114 8 Highway 43/Yandell Rd.
Trailhead
108 West Florida Boundary
Trailhead
Water available at River Bend and Yandell Road
Restrooms at River Bend
Horse camping at Goshen Springs Campground
Tent and RV camping at Ratliff Ferry and Goshen Springs Campground

Port Gibson District
(Milepost 59-50.8)
59 Regantown Road Trailhead
34.8 Rocky Springs Area
50.8 Russell Road Trailhead
Water available at Regantown Road and Rocky Springs
Restrooms at Rocky Springs
Horse camping at Grand Gulf State Park
Tent and RV camping at Rocky Springs Campground

Tupelo District
(Milepost 266-260.8)
266 Beech Springs Parking
Area and Visitor Center
264 Old Town Overlook
261.8 Chickasaw Village
260.8 West Jackson Street
Trailhead
Water and restrooms available at Visitor Center
Horse camping at Natchez Trace RV Park and Trace State Park
Tent and RV camping at Davis Lake, Tombigbee State Park, Barns Crossing, Whip-Poor-Will, Piney Grove/Bay Springs Lake and Tishomingo State Park