Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
AL,MS,TN
Park Alerts (2)
About Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles and offer opportunities to explore wetlands, swamps, hardwood forest, and the history of the area.
Things To Do
Showing 6 of 8
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 around Tupelo, Mississippi.
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 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
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.
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 Trace National Scenic Trail (www.nps.gov/natt) is totally contained within the Parkway boundaries.
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 of "sunken" historic Trace remaining. Named for the Natchez word meaning "little valley." Thus trail cuts deep into the rich, fine-grained soil. It doesn't take much to erode this type of soil, and centuries of human and animal traffic have done an impressive job. This trail has some embankments over twenty feet high!
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 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 days combined throughout the year. All camping must take place within designated campgrounds. The Natchez Trace Parkway does not allow dispersed camping.
Available Activities
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 80's in summer, and into the high 40's in winter.
Thunderstorms are common in Mississippi, especially in the southern part of the state, and from June through November, the state is occasionally affected by hurricanes moving north from the Gulf of Mexico. Check local forecasts to plan your trip.
Getting There
Directions to the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail vary greatly depending on what section you are trying to reach. For specific questions concerning how to get to a certain section or trail head of the National Scenic Trail, please call the Visitor Center at 662-680-4027.
Plan Your Visit
Let Roamze help you plan the perfect trip to Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail with AI-powered itineraries.
Start PlanningHours
Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is open every day during daylight hours. Severe weather resulting in washouts and downed trees can cause temporary trail closures. The trail is located entirely within the property boundaries of the Natchez Trace Parkway and questions about the trail and its condition should be directed to the Parkway's visitor center by calling 662-680-4027.
