Natchez Trace Parkway

Natchez Trace Parkway is a parkway run by the National Park Service in 3 states.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Become a Natchez Trace Junior Ranger (20 to 120 Minutes): 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.
• Hiking the Blackland Prairie Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail (1 to 6 Hours): 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 Yockanookany Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail (1 to 15 Hours): 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 the Highland Rim Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail (1 to 10 Hours): 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.
• Birding on the Natchez Trace Parkway: Birding on the Natchez Trace Parkway
• Campgrounds on the Natchez Trace Parkway (1 to 14 Days): 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
• Tent Camping on the Natchez Trace (2 to 14 Days): 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
• Hiking to Waterfalls on the Natchez Trace (15 to 120 Minutes): 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 wildf

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. 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 662-680-4027.

Camping

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.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Parkway Visitor Center Milepost 266: Daily, 9:00AM - 4:30PM. The Parkway Visitor Center is closed on January 1, Thanksgiving, and December 25.
• Mount Locust Information Center Milepost 15.5: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed 9:00AM - 3:30PM; Thu 9:00AM - 3:30PM; Fri 9:00AM - 3:30PM; Sat 9:00AM - 3:30PM; Sun 9:00AM - 3:30PM. Mount Locust Historic Inn/Stand is closed due to structural damage. The grounds of Mount Locust are open five days per week.
• Meriwether Lewis Visitor Information Center Milepost 385.9: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri Closed; Sat 9:00AM - 4:30PM; Sun 9:00AM - 4:30PM. The Meriwether Lewis Visitor Information Center is open seasonally. Call 1-800-305-7417 for updated hours.
• Parkway Information Cabin Milepost 102.4: Closed. The Parkway Information Cabin at Milepost 102.4 is open when Natchez Trace Parkway volunteers are present.

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 summer and often heat indices are over 100°F. Winters are mild with daytime temperatures around 50°F but lows below freezing are not uncommon. Thunderstorms are common in the southeast and the southern part of Mississippi is occasionally affected by hurricanes. Check local forecasts to plan your trip.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Hot Springs, about 235 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Natchez Trace Parkway (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.