N is for…Natchez Trace Parkway
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure.
Where is the Natchez Trace Parkway?
The Natchez Trace Parkway runs through parts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. It begins in Natchez, Mississippi and ends in Nashville, Tennessee.
What is the Natchez Trace Parkway?
A 444-mile drive through some absolutely gorgeous scenery and 10,000 years worth of North American history including Native Americans, settlers, and future presidents.
Many of the locals simply call it Natchez Trace, or even more commonly the Trace.
Driving isn’t the only option on the Parkway though. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities including camping, biking, hiking, horseback riding and fishing.
Biking the Parkway has become increasingly popular and there are some great tips for planning your Parkway cycling trip.
In addition, there are plenty of historical sites along the trail from Indian burial grounds including Emerald Mound, the second largest Native American ceremonial mound in the United States, and the Meriwether Lewis Museum.
When to visit the Parkway?
While I would most definitely encourage you to visit during the warmer (read : blistering hot) summer months because I love this weather, I would also highly suggest visiting the Natchez Trace during the fall when the leaves are changing. It is an absolutely breathtaking drive and view if you time it correctly. There are many tips on places and times to visit to see the best fall foliage here.
Essential Info
- Pets are allowed on the Parkway and trails.
- There is no lodging available on the Parkway, but the communities along the way do provide lodging.
- There is no fee to enter the Parkway. In addition, there is no fee for any of the three campgrounds along the Parkway.
Have you ever visited part of the Natchez Trace Parkway? Do you enjoy scenic drives like this?
I'm also a freelance writer and creator. You can see my published work here. I've been featured by Impact Travel Alliance as a creative who is transforming travel, and by Matador Network as a vegan travel blogger you should be following on Instagram.
When I'm not writing, I'm traveling, reading a book, trying not to kill my houseplants, worshiping my dog, or having an existential crisis.
You can also reach out to me on Instagram and TikTok.
Want to know more? Here's my full bio.
- 9 Weird Things To Do In Dublin, Ireland - April 13, 2024
- 14 Weird Things To Do In Indianapolis, Indiana - April 13, 2024
- Bird Tourism: Getting Started - February 29, 2024
I would love visiting Natchez Trace especially to him around! I have heard is a great time to visit any part of Tennessee so I can imagine why you recommend seeing this park at that time of year. I think we share the same love for National Parks and hiking! 🙂
I meant to say “hike” around not “him” around… Ooop!
I think we do as well Daidri! 🙂
This sounds like a beautiful place to visit but I would go when it is less hot. I don’t care for the heat of summer
And, Tennessee summers can be blistering!
Every time we drive to Nashville along I-40 from Memphis we see signs for the Natchez Trace Parkway and on each occasion I guess we are just too ignorant to actually take off the interstate and go and explore some of this region. I think this would be really awesome especially for Heather to learn more about the tribes and Native Americans that lived in this part of the country and how culture has developed over the centuries to where we are today.
This is a really great post Ashley and hopefully has given us sufficient inspiration to check this out on our next route to Nashville!
You definitely should Chris! I’m just gonna keep giving y’all more and more Tennessee ideas 🙂
Pingback: Leiper's Fork off Natchez Trace in Tennessee
Pingback: 5 Summer Outdoor Adventures in Nashville - A Southern Gypsy's Adventures