Natchez Trace National Scenic TrailJanuary, 2010 The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail lies entirely within the boundaries of the Natchez Trace Parkway. The four trail segments run nearly parallel to the Parkway. Some sections of the trail use portions of the original Old Trace. Below are listed the southern and northern trailheads and additional access points for each trail. Note that "Milepost" refer to the milepost along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Milepost run from south to north. Milepost 0 is in Natchez, Mississippi, and Milepost 444 is near Nashville, Tennessee.
Wild Turkeys Mile 112 Photos Skipper Anding
Rocky Springs Trail (10 miles) Southern Trailhead - Owen Creek Waterfall (Milepost 52.4) Access - Rocky Springs Campground (Milepost 54.8) Northern Trailhead - Exit the Parkway at Milepost 59.2. At the stop sign, turn right, cross over the Parkway and take the first right to find the parking area for the trail.
A Jackson Audubon field trip heads south from Rocky Springs for Owens Creek.
Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly at Rocky Springs, Mile 55.Ridgeland Trail (24 miles) Latest news: Mile 100 - 104 is complete with parking at the Ridgeland Visitor's Center at Mile 102. Mile 104 - 107 (Old Canton Rd to Reservoir Overlook) is under construction. Also Mile 102 to 104 (Choctaw Agency) beginning construction (Jan 2010). Southern Trailhead - West Florida Boundary (Milepost 107.9) Access - Exit the Parkway at Hwy. 43 and turn west in the direction of Canton, Miss. and take the first left into the parking area. Access - From Cypress Swamp (Milepost 122.0 and shown below) the trail can be accessed by carefully crossing the Parkway.
Alligator at the Cypress Swamp, Mile 122Access - Upper Choctaw Boundary (Milepost 128.5) Northern Trailhead - Yockanookany (Milepost 130.9)
Mile 115 - exit for Hwy 43 and Waterfowl Refuge with Observation Deck. Watch for bikes!Tupelo Trail (6 miles) Southern Trailhead - Exit the Parkway onto Hwy. 6 (Milepost 259.9) and turn east, toward Tupelo. At the stoplight for Thomas St., turn left. At the stoplight for Jackson St., turn right and the trailhead parking area will be 1/10 of a mile on the left. Access - Chickasaw Village Site (Milepost 261.8) Access - Old Town Creek Overlook (Milepost 264.0) Northern Trailhead - Across from the Parkway Visitor Center (Milepost 266) take Beech Springs Rd. connector for 3/10 of a mile and find the trailhead parking area on the left.
Leipers Fork Trail (24 miles) Southern Trailhead - Exit the Parkway at Milepost 407.9 and turn right (west) onto Hwy. 50. Cross the Parkway and take the first right onto Totty Ln. Look for the trailhead parking area on the right. Access - Exit the Parkway at Hwy. 7 (Milepost 415.6) and take a right at the stop sign. Go under the Parkway and take the first left. Find the parking area about 1/4 mile down this road. Northern Trailhead - Garrison Creek (Milepost 427.4)
Horse Riders at River Bend in winter, Mile 123.
The Future We need to work toward a couple of things on the Natchez Trace Parkway. One is large blocks of land for wildlife habitat and human enjoyment through high quality trails and camping. The other is to improve the quality of existing trails by widening the right of way to insulate them from road noise. One way to do this would be a trade of National Forest land to bring more along the Trace, such as happens already near Tupelo, MS. These things will insure that the Trace is the National Treasure it was designed to be when modeled after its sister, the Blue Ridge Parkway. We are not finished, but off to a great start!
Owens Creek in spring, Mile 52.
Trail at Tishomingo State Park, Mile 305.
Pioneer Cabin at Tishomingo, Mile 305.
Buzzard Roost Spring begins a swift creek here on the Trace, Mile 320.
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