Natchez Trace Parkway

The Trace follows a historic path used by Choctaw and Chickasaw people, then traders and travelers heading home from the river. Today it is a 50 mph parkway with no commercial traffic, no billboards and almost no development. Stops are Native mounds, abandoned towns, cypress swamps and small museums. It suits people who want to unwind and don't mind sparse services; fill up before long stretches.

The stops

1. Start

   Natchez, MS

2. Town

   Natchez

   Antebellum river town where the Trace starts at milepost 0.

3. Historic

   Emerald Mound

   Huge flat-topped Native ceremonial mound near milepost 10.

4. Historic

   Windsor Ruins

   Columns left from a mansion, a short detour near milepost 30.

5. Historic · Overnight

   Rocky Springs

   Abandoned town site and campground near milepost 55.

6. Town

   Jackson

   State capital and the largest city on the route, with food and fuel (US 49 exit near milepost 92).

7. Town

   Tupelo

   Parkway visitor center near milepost 266 and Elvis's birthplace in town.

8. Historic

   Pharr Mounds

   Burial mound group near milepost 286.

9. Historic

   Meriwether Lewis Site

   Monument and grave of Meriwether Lewis at milepost 386 (approx coordinates).

10. Town

    Franklin

    Historic town just off the northern end, with a good main street (approx coordinates).

11. Town

    Nashville

    Northern end; the parkway finishes near Pasquo, west of the city.

12. Finish

    Nashville, TN

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Rocky Springs / Port Gibson

  Rocky Springs Campground · Port Gibson inns

• Night 2

  Tupelo

  Tupelo hotels · Tombigbee State Park

• Night 3

  Florence / Muscle Shoals

  Joe Wheeler-area lodging · Florence hotels

• Night 4

  Franklin / Nashville

  Franklin inns · Nashville hotels

When to go

Mar–May and Oct–Nov; summers are hot and humid

On the road

Commercial vehicles are banned. Limit is 50 mph (40 mph in a few areas). Fuel and food are in towns off the parkway, not on it; check NPS for closures.