Natchez Trace Parkway Hot Spots
A hot spot is a place of more than usual interest, activity, or popularity. The Natchez Trace Parkway is the 444-mile scenic, and historical national parkway stretching south from Nashville, Tennessee, across north Alabama to Natchez, Mississippi.
We showcase one awesome location or featured activity each month.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Waterfalls Along the Parkway in Tennessee
photo by Deborah Tukua
Two Tennessee Waterfalls Along the Parkway
Two popular Tennessee Waterfall sites are this month's feature. The force and volume of water rushing over waterfalls along the Natchez Trace are affected by the amount of rain the area has recently received. Keep this in mind when planning your next outing.
Fall Hollow Waterfall, milepost 391.9
Along the pathway, wooden walking bridges take you across small streams. At this picturesque site you'll view more than one waterfall. There's a mini waterfall and the larger, main waterfall. High atop the observation deck, you can peer over the cascading waterfall. Beyond the observation deck, the hiking trail becomes more challenging, steep and rocky. The trail leads to the base of the waterfall. You can easily return the way you came, and avoid traversing the difficult portion of the trail altogether. Depending on your preference, spend as little as 10 minutes on the trail to view a waterfall or take a 60 minute hiking adventure.
Jackson Falls, milepost 404.7
In addition to the spectacular waterfall, this popular site has ample parking, bathrooms, picnic tables under the trees, and hiking trails. A 1/4 mile easy hike takes you to a beautiful overlook of 30 stories, (300 feet) above the Duck River. An additional 1/2 mile (900 ft.) steep trail leads a clear pool at the base of the waterfall. You'll want to allow 40 to 60 minutes to fully appreciate all this site offers.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Picnic Sites Along the Parkway
Glenrock Branch in Tenn. Photo by Deborah Tukua
Picnic Sites Along the Natchez Trace Parkway
More than 35 designated sites along the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway offer picnic tables on a first-come, first-served basis. Many locations feature grills and modern restrooms. Some even have flowing streams where you can dip your feet in the water. One of my favorite, picturesque sites is Glenrock Branch in Tennessee. Pack your picnic basket and venture to one of these lovely locations. Or pop in a restaurant near any of these sites and pick up a meal or snack to enjoy outdoors. Dine with a view, you can't beat.
Here is a short list of popular, scenic picnic sites in each of the three states. Some are situated along tranquil streams, the Tennessee River, and historic landmarks.
- Coles Creek: Milepost 17.5 (18 tables, restrooms)
- Rocky Springs: Milepost 54.8 (10 tables, campground, restrooms)3.
- River Bend: Milepost 122.6 (18 tables, pavilion, restrooms
- Jeff Busby: Milepost 193.1 (Restrooms, overlook)
- Pharr Mounds: Milepost 286.7 (Large picnic area)
- Bear Creek: Milepost 313 (A picnic area on a large creek in the Chickasaw homeland)
- Colbert Ferry: Milepost 327.3 (Tennessee River access)
- Glenrock Branch: Milepost 364.5 (creek and rock formations)
- Meriwether Lewis Site: Milepost 385.9 (Little Swan Creek, restrooms)
- Jackson Falls: Milepost 404.7
- Parkway Visitor Center in Tupelo, MS, Milepost 266 has picnic tables on site.
- Wayne County Welcome Center in Collinwood, TN, Milepost 355, has picnic tables on the grounds. There are additional picnic tables in Collinwood at the nearby city park, Depot Library, and the fire department.
Additional Resources for more information –
For a complete list with photos and highlights of each picnic area visit the official NPS website - https://www.nps.gov/natr/planyourvisit/picnicking-along-the-natchez-trace-parkway.htm
This NPS link gives detailed information and historical facts about the sites and picnic areas. https://www.nps.gov/natr/planyourvisit/picnicking-along-the-natchez-trace-parkway.htm
List of 35 specific sites with picnic tables from north to south, 13 in Tennessee, 3 in AL and 19 in MS. https://www.natcheztracetravel.com/types-of-trace-stops/natchez-trace-picnic-areas.html
_________________________________________________________
Biking on the Natchez Trace Parkway
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a popular route among cyclists traveling in groups, pairs or even solo. You may see more cyclists on the road this spring. Mild weather makes bicycling the Trace an enjoyable adventure. Bikes are permitted to ride on the road. RVs and cars should give bicycles plenty of space. Cyclists should wear a helmet and bright-colored clothing for their safety.
Free Bike Repair Stations. At various locations along the Trace, cyclists have access to public bike repair stands. These outdoor bike maintenance stations are equipped with an air pump and retractable tools - various screwdrivers and wrenches for making quick repairs. (The bike repair stand in the photograph above is located at Milepost 385.9, the Meriwether Lewis site in Tenn. Another one is located at Milepost 355, behind the Welcome Center in Collinwood, Tenn. I'm sure there are more. I haven't researched locations.)
Free Bike Camping. There are basic campgrounds and bike-only campgrounds along the Parkway with picnic tables, walking trails, and restrooms. Free camping sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis only.
Bicycle-Only Campgrounds are located in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi at: Milepost 408, Milepost 327, Milepost 266, Milepost 233.2, and Milepost 160.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sweetwater Branch &Trail in Tennessee
Bordering the Natchez Trail Parkway at milepost 363.0, Sweetwater trail follows Sweetwater Branch, named for its fresh, sweet-tasting water. Early spring is the perfect time to walk the quiet, nature trail. The surrounding woodlands are slow to awake. Thus, the tiny wildflowers and fern draw our eyes to the leaf litter springing forth from the ground. Downed logs and branches host moss, lichens, and fungi for us to study and appreciate. Bring a field guide app along to identify the wild botanicals.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
February Feature - Bluff Park in Natchez, MS
Situated along the Mississippi River, Bluff Park in Natchez, MS offers spectacular views of the sunset. It’s a romantic, peaceful experience whether you stroll the river walk, sit on a bench overlooking the river, or picnic in the park beneath the shade of trees.
The setting sun glows across the water, highlighting the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge, connecting Mississippi to Louisiana. Who knows, you may see a hot air balloon float past, or a steamboat gliding upriver. A perfect evening may include musicians playing from the elevated Victorian gazebo in the park.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G is for Gordon House, built in 1818, in Tennessee. Four large fireplaces kept the Gordon family comfortable in winter, making it the perfect January feature.
John and Dolly Gordon ran a trading post and ferried travelers by boat across the Duck River in the early 1800s. Their two-story, red brick house still stands today, minus the original wood columns and balcony. The Gordon House is one of only two historic homes remaining from the days of the Old Trace. The Gordon House and ferry boat site is located in Tennessee at Milepost 407.7
(This is a colorized version of the Gordon House illustration in my book, Traveling the Natchez Trace Parkway from A to Z. You may use it as a guide when coloring this page in your copy of the book.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A beautiful place to visit during Christmas time is our December feature —
the beautiful, historic Melrose Estate in Natchez, Mississippi.
Melrose Estate is a national, historic landmark, a part of the Natchez National Historical Park. This fine Greek Revival mansion was built in the early 1840s. The original owner was John. T. McMurran, an attorney and owner of multiple plantations. Melrose was his family residence. Christmas dinner in the mansion traditionally included ham, turkey, pie, and plum pudding.
Tours of the grand antebellum house and grounds are available.
(Photo credit: Natchez National Historical Park.Visit their Facebook page for more house photos and historical information.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In honor of our beloved, US Veterans, Our November feature is Veterans Park in Collinwood, Tennessee.
This week we honor and thank US Veterans for their service. We’re blessed to have several veterans in our family- my dad, my husband, and our son, David. It’s only fitting that we visit The Wayne County Veterans Park in Tennessee. This special memorial is located at milepost 355, just off the Natchez Trace Parkway in Collinwood, TN. The photo above shows the first of several striking, mural scenes. The memorial park is open to the public year round. It’s a great opportunity to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy in this country, and those that served in all branches of our military.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just in time for viewing autumn foliage.
This month’s feature is the Old Trace Drive in Tennessee.
The Old Trace Drive begins at milepost 375.8 along the Parkway in Tennessee.. Autumn is the ideal season to take this scenic, tree-lined drive and view autumn’s fine display of colors. This 2.5-mile drive is a one-way jaunt along the Old Trace pathway.
It’s a leisurely drive our family enjoys annually.
___________________________________________________________
This month’s feature is the Rock Spring Trail in Alabama.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our August feature is the Elderberry plant, spotted in Tennessee and Alabama.
Elderberry plants grow wild in ditches, along stream banks and rural roadways along the Parkway and surrounding area. The berries are a rich source of antioxidants, vitamin C, and support immune health. They are often made into medicinal tinctures and syrups and taken as natural remedies for colds and flu symptoms. Birds love eating them too. Harvest elderberries once they darken, as shown in the top cluster in the photograph. Do not ingest the leaves or stems.