Mount Locust Visitor Contact Station is now open. The contact station and grounds are open Wednesday through Sunday. The historic inn/stand is closed indefinitely due to serious structural concerns. You can still view the inn/stand but cannot enter.
+2 more active alerts
Natchez Trace Parkway
Alabama · Mississippi · Tennessee
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.
About Natchez Trace Parkway
Natchez Trace Parkway is a parkway located in Alabama and Mississippi and Tennessee. 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 degrees 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.
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.
💰 Entrance Fees & Passes
Entry to Natchez Trace is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.
🥾 Things to Do
Natchez Trace Parkway offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Astronomy, Stargazing, and 25 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.
📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist
Custom items selected for activities at Natchez Trace
📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Natchez Trace
- →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Natchez Trace before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
- →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 3 active alerts for Natchez Trace. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
- →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Natchez Trace get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
- →Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Natchez Trace. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Natchez Trace
About the Author
James R. Mitchell
Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data
James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.
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