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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
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 summer and often heat indices are over 100°F. Winters are mild with daytime temperatures around 50°F but lows below freezing…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
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.
Activities
Current Alerts
Closures may occur due to inclement weather, construction projects, or other emergency conditions. Please visit the linked page for information about current closures.
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 662-680-4027.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
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…
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)…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Picnicking along the Natchez Trace Parkway
A list of some of the picnic areas along the Natchez Trace Parkway.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Showing 18 of 27 NPS Things to Do records available for Natchez Trace Parkway.
Visitor Centers
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…
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…
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…
Parkway Information Cabin Milepost 102.4
The Parkway Information Cabin is closed indefinitely. The Chisha Foka trail parking area is open.
Campgrounds
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…
Meriwether Lewis Campground, Milepost 385.9
The Meriwether Lewis Campground at milepost 385.9, on the northern end of the parkway, includes a 31-sites campground, flush toilets, hiking trails, a section of…
Jeff Busby Campground, Milepost 193.1
Jeff Busby Campground at milepost 193.1, midway on the parkway, includes an 18-site campground, picnic tables, restrooms, trails, exhibits and an overlook atop Little Mountain.…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
🗺️ Guided Tours & Experiences
Discover Natchez Trace Parkway with expert-led tours
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
🏨 Search Lodging for Natchez Trace Parkway
Review lodging results matching this park or site name
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.