Natchez Trace Parkway

A slightly curvy section of the Natchez Trace Parkway in Early Fall
The Natchez Trace Parkway commemorates a historic travel route that helped build the young United States. The Parkway 444 miles, with plenty of stops to allow you to explore some of the history or enjoy the scenery along the way.
View of the Double Arch Bridge from Birdsong Hollow
The elegant Double Arch Bridge won the Presidential Award for Design Excellence in 1995. It spans Birdsong Hollow and Tennessee Highway 96. To see it from below, take the TN 96 exit and stop at the pulloff before you get to the highway.
Mount Locust Historic House
Mount Locust served as a family home and as a stand, or inn, for Natchez Trace travelers. Built around 1780, the home and grounds are open for visitors during operating hours.
A foggy section of the Old Trace in autumn
The "Old Trace," the historic trail commemorated by the Natchez Trace Parkway today, still survives in segments. The Old Trace was the main road through the Old Southwest, connecting Natchez to Nashville by going through Chickasaw and Choctaw lands.
Photos: National Park Service

About Natchez Trace Parkway

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive through three states. It roughly follows the "Old Natchez Trace," a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, "Kaintucks," European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents. Today, people can enjoy a scenic drive as well as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the Parkway.

Quick Facts

State Alabama
Designation Parkway
State Code AL,MS,TN
Weather Mississippi, Alabama, and most of Tennessee are classified as humid subtropical climates. The weather ranges from mild winters to hot summers. Average high temperatures reach into the high 90's in…

Location & Map

Natchez Trace Parkway is located in Alabama.

Operating Hours

The Natchez Trace Parkway motor road is open all year, day and night. Operating hours for information centers and some locations do vary. Severe weather resulting in washouts and downed trees can cause temporary road closures. Questions about road condition should be directed to the Parkway's visitor center by calling 1-800-305-7417.

Wednesday All Day
Monday All Day
Thursday All Day
Sunday All Day
Tuesday All Day
Friday All Day
Saturday All Day

Activities

Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Astronomy Stargazing Biking Road Biking Camping Car or Front Country Camping RV Camping Compass and GPS Geocaching Fishing Freshwater Fishing Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Self-Guided Tours - Auto Hiking Front-Country Hiking Horse Trekking Horseback Riding Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Getting There

Directions to the Natchez Trace Parkway vary depending on what part of the tri-state Parkway you are trying to reach. There are more than 50 roads that access the Parkway in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. For specific questions concerning how to get to a certain portion of the Parkway, please call the Visitor Center at 1-800-305-7417.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS, 38804
Phone 6626804027

Topics & Themes

Architecture and Building African American Heritage Archeology Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite Enslavement Farming and Agriculture Plantations Military Battlefields Native American Heritage Transportation Bridges Roads, Routes and Highways Wars and Conflicts War of 1812 Civil War Women's History Animals Birds Fire Night Sky

Things To Do

Birding on the Natchez Trace Parkway

Birding on the Natchez Trace Parkway

Birding on the Natchez Trace Parkway

Hiking to Waterfalls on the Natchez Trace

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…

Earn a BARK Ranger Dog Tag

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…

Dogs can earn a BARK Ranger tag if their human will help. Humans finish a few activities in a booklet…

Become a Natchez Trace Junior Ranger

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…

To earn a badge with a Junior Ranger book, complete the fun-filled activities and return your completed book to a…

Trails on the Natchez Trace Parkway

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…

Hiking the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

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.…

Today the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail consists of five separate sections--over 60 miles--developed for hiking and horseback riding. Portions…

Visitor Centers

Meriwether Lewis Visitor Information Center Milepost 385.9

The Meriwether Lewis Visitor Information Center is open seasonally. It is located at milepost 385.9. At this visitor center you can browse exhibits on the…

Hours: The Meriwether Lewis Visitor Information Center is open seasonally. Call 1-800-305-7417 for updated hours.

Mount Locust Information Center Milepost 15.5

Located at milepost 15.5, the Mount Locust Information Center is at the site of the only remaining inn, or "stand" on the Parkway. During open…

Hours: Mount Locust Historic Inn/Stand is closed due to structural damage. The grounds of Mount Locust are open five days per week.

Parkway Information Cabin Milepost 102.4

The Parkway Information Cabin is closed indefinitely. The Chisha Foka trail parking area is open.

Hours: The Parkway Information Cabin at Milepost 102.4 is open when Natchez Trace Parkway volunteers are present.

Parkway Visitor Center Milepost 266

The Parkway Visitor Center is just north of Tupelo, Mississippi. A ranger is on duty to answer questions and provide information and brochures. Ask and…

Hours: The Parkway Visitor Center is closed on January 1, Thanksgiving, and December 25.

Campgrounds

Jeff Busby Campground, Milepost 193.1

Temporarily closed due to ongoing road construction. Jeff Busby Campground at milepost 193.1, midway on the parkway, includes an 18-site campground, picnic tables, restrooms, trails,…

18 Sites

Meriwether Lewis Campground, Milepost 385.9

The Meriwether Lewis Campground at milepost 385.9, on the northern end of the parkway, has 31 sites. All sites are free and available on a…

31 Sites

Rocky Springs Campground, Milepost 54.8

Rocky Springs Campground, milepost 54.8, on the southern end of the Parkway, includes a 22-site campground, picnic tables, intermittent restrooms, a section of the Old…

22 Sites

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