Natchez Trace Parkway

Become a Natchez Trace Junior Ranger

Do you care about exploring, learning about, and protecting the Natchez Trace? If yes, become a Junior Ranger! There are many ways to be a Junior Ranger badge at Natchez Trace Parkway, and this fun activity book is a great place to start.  

Birding on the Natchez Trace Parkway

Birding on the Natchez Trace Parkway

Campgrounds on the Natchez Trace Parkway

The Natchez Trace Parkway manages three campgrounds along the length of the 444-mile Parkway. The three Parkway campgrounds are free, primitive, and available on a first come, first serve basis. They do not offer electricity, showers, or dump stations. The maximum stay at our campgrounds is 14 days combined throughout the year.

Discovering the Trail of Tears on the Natchez Trace

The Trail of Tears began in May 1838 when Federal troops and state militias began to round up the Cherokee into stockades. In spite of warnings to troops to treat the Cherokee kindly, the round up proved harrowing. Families were separated and people were given only moments to collect cherished possessions. White looters followed, ransacking homesteads as Cherokee were led away. The Trail of Tears crosses the Natchez Trace Parkway in several locations in Alabama and Tennessee.

Discover Women's History on the Natchez Trace

To learn more about the women who historically worked and lived along the Natchez Trace Parkway, follow these sites from Natchez, MS, up to Nashville, TN, or vice versa. There is no designated starting or finishing place. A milepost and some brief history is given for each site you may visit. 

Earn a BARK Ranger Dog Tag

HEY DOGS!!! Do you want to proudly wear the BARK Ranger dog tag? We made it easy for a human to help you get one, and you both can have fun while earning it. 

Exploring the Beech Springs Nature Trail: A Quest

Experience a blend of nature and civilization on the Beech Springs Nature Trail next to the Parkway Visitor Center at milepost 266. This quest, a sort of visual scavenger hunt, leads you to consider the benefits and consequences of places where nature merges with civilization. The QUESTions do not have right or wrong answers but hopefully will inspire you to learn more. If you would like additional input from a ranger, stop by the visitor center.

Exploring the Meriwether Lewis Death and Burial Site

The Meriwether Lewis monument marks the final resting place of famed American explorer Meriwether Lewis who died by suicide near by at Grinder's Stand on October 11, 1809.

Finding Flowers

This is a guide to help identify what wildflowers might be blooming when in what parts of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Fishing on the Natchez Trace Parkway

Fishing is a great way to spend the day by yourself or with a friend or two. Fishing is allowed all along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Follow the fishing regulations for the state where you fish.

Hiking the Blackland Prairie Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

The Blackland Prairie section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is a popular 6 mile hiking trail in and around Tupelo, Mississippi.

Hiking the Highland Rim Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

The Highland Rim section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is a popular twenty mile hiking and equestrian corridor south of Nashville Tennessee along the Natchez Trace Parkway from Milepost 427.4 to 407.9.

Hiking the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail consists of five sections running roughly parallel to the Natchez Trace Parkway motor road. The five sections of hiking trail, total more than 60 miles in southern forests. The trails offer opportunities to explore wetlands, swamps, hardwood forest, rock outcroppings, overlooks, and the history of the area. Established in 1983, the trail is part of the National Park Service and the National Trails System.

Hiking the Potkopinu Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

Potkopinu (Pot-cop-i-new), the southernmost section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, is only three miles long, but it is the longest stretch of "sunken" historic Trace remaining. Named for the Natchez word meaning "little valley." Thus trail cuts deep into the rich, fine-grained soil. It doesn't take much to erode this type of soil, and centuries of human and animal traffic have done an impressive job. This trail has some embankments over twenty feet high!

Hiking the Rocky Springs Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

The Rocky Springs Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is a six mile section located near Port Gibson, Mississippi. This trail crosses gently rolling forested land. At Rocky Springs, a side trail leads to the remains of the old town, including a church and cemetery. South of Rocky Springs the trail is moderately strenuous in places--up and down through deep ravines. Near the south terminus at Owens Creek is a good spot to sit quietly and listen to the forest.

Hiking the Yockanookany Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

North of Jackson, Mississippi the Yockanookany section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is the longest of the five developed trail sections at 26 miles. Eight miles run alongside the Ross R. Barnett Reservoir, and the other sixteen miles go through dense forests, seasonal streams and open pastureland. 

Hiking to Waterfalls on the Natchez Trace

Perhaps two of the most awe-inspiring sites along the Natchez Trace Parkway are Jackson Falls (milepost 404.7) and Fall Hollow (milepost 391.9) located in Tennessee. Though both falls are equally picturesque, each fall offers a unique experience. Both provide beautiful scenery, but also offer opportunities to see wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife.

Horseback Riding along the Natchez Trace Parkway

Visitors are able to bring horses to ride on the established horse trails. Four horse trails have been developed adjacent to the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi and Tennessee, in connection with the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. The Natchez Trace Parkway also provides access to the Witch Dance Horse Trail on the Tombigbee National Forest. Horseback riding is prohibited on all other areas of the parkway, including on the roadway itself.

Leaf Peeping Along the Natchez Trace

In middle to late October, the maple, hickory, oak and other hardwood trees begin to change colors and visitors have the opportunity to view the brilliant fall foliage along the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Picnicking along the Natchez Trace Parkway

A list of some of the picnic areas along the Natchez Trace Parkway.

RVing the Natchez Trace Parkway

Recreational vehicles are a popular way to see the parkway. The length restriction for RVs is 55 feet, including a tow vehicle, and the height restriction is 14 feet. Be on the lookout for cyclists! The Natchez Trace Parkway is a designated bicycling route. With a lane width of 11 feet and little to no shoulder, it is important to slow down, pass with care, and avoid distracted driving.

Stargazing on the Natchez Trace Parkway

Enjoy the beauty of the night skies on the Natchez Trace Parkway at: Big Tree Overlook, milepost 439.4  Little Mountain Exhibit Shelter, milepost 193.1 Reservoir Overlook, milepost 105.6 Overlooks close at 10pm

Tent Camping on the Natchez Trace

The Natchez Trace Parkway manages three campgrounds along the Parkway. Those campgrounds are Meriwether Lewis at Milepost 385.9, Jeff Busby at Milepost 193.1 and Rocky Springs at Milepost 54. The campgrounds are free, primitive, and available on a first come, first serve basis. The maximum stay at our campgrounds is 14 days combined throughout the year. All camping must take place within designated campgrounds. The Natchez Trace Parkway does not allow dispersed camping.

Trails on the Natchez Trace Parkway

The Natchez Trace Parkway has trails from 200 feet to 27 miles long. There are many short nature trails, and the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail (www.nps.gov/natt) is totally contained within the Parkway boundaries. 

Walking or Biking the Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail

The Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail is a 10-mile paved path that runs through historic Choctaw homelands. Named in honor of the Choctaw town that stood where the city of Jackson is today, Chisha Foka (chee-sha-foe-ka) translates to “among the post oaks.” Today, trail users can enjoy the recreational opportunities and the trees, wildflowers, and wildlife of this protected greenspace in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

Walking Trails Near Tupelo, MS

These short hikes are within a 30 minute drive from Tupelo, Mississippi. They range from a 5-minute paved accessible walk to a six-mile one-way hike through the forest. Dogs on leash are allowed on trails.

Walk in the Last Footsteps of Meriwether Lewis

Follow last footsteps of explorer Meriwether Lewis on a section of the Old Natchez Trace and visit his burial site. This self-guide tour will take you a little over half a mile in an easy loop along a trail with interpretive exhibits, to the historic Old Trace, to his burial place and monument, then back past the Information Cabin at the Grinders Stand site where Meriwether Lewis died.