Guide to the Natchez Trace Parkway (Nature’s Scenic Drives)

Guide to the Natchez Trace Parkway (Nature’s Scenic Drives)

Explore 444 miles of natural beauty and American history in an unforgettable road trip through parts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. The Natchez Trace Parkway is more than a scenic byway—it’s a journey through the heart of the South. From the ancient Native American mounds of Mississippi to the rolling hills of Tennessee, this 444-mile corridor weaves together rich cultural heritage, dramatic landscapes, and compelling stories of the past. Whether you’re planning a weekend drive or a weeklong trip, Guide to the Natchez Trace Parkway by Tim Jackson and Taryn Chase Jackson is the ultimate resource for discovering this National Scenic Byway. The fully updated guidebook blends expert travel advice with captivating historical storytelling. Explore Civil War battlefields, ghost towns, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks. Learn the stories of the Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Natchez peoples, and follow in the footsteps of traders, settlers, and soldiers who once journeyed this legendary path. Enjoy the natural landscapes by hiking, biking, horseback riding, birding, and picnicking. With curated recommendations, detailed maps, and accessibility information, this book helps every traveler—from road-trippers to cyclists—make the most of their Trace experience. Inside You’ll Find: More than 100 destination highlights, including the best food, lodging, and attractions - Essential travel tips for driving, hiking, cycling, camping, and using electric vehicles - Historical insights into Indigenous cultures, European explorers, and Civil War campaigns - Curated “Trace Top 20” must-see destinations Whether you’re chasing wildflowers, delving into America’s past, or planning a quiet retreat in nature, this guidebook transforms your journey into a meaningful exploration of a treasured roadway. Tim W. Jackson began his publishing career at age 17, when he started covering sports for his hometown newspaper. He has worked as an editor at Southern Living, Cooking Light, and Canoe & Kayak magazines. Taryn Chase Jackson has been published in Southern Living, The Roanoke Times, The Laurel of Asheville, and the New River Voice. Tim and Taryn also co-wrote Images of America: Weaverville and recently created Grimrose Manor, a weekly publication that explores the macabre and mysterious side of life. They are based in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Between Jackson and Tupelo Trace Tip: A $5 traffic-control fee may be collected at the reservoir on weekends and holidays during months of heavy use. Milepost 104.5: Old Trace and Brashears Stand Site The first inn allowed by the Choctaw Nation was Turner Brashears’s stand, advertised to travelers as “a house of entertainment in the wilderness” when it opened in 1806. A short section of the original Trace is nearby. A new trail and wooden boardwalk connect this Parkway stop to the Bill Waller Mississippi Crafts Center (950 Rice Road; 601-856-7546; Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.); the site also serves as a parking/access point for the Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail. Milepost 105.6: Ross R. Barnett Reservoir Overlook Created by impounding the Pearl River between Madison and Rankin Counties, the 33,000-acre Ross R. Barnett Reservoir parallels the Parkway for 8 miles. Bound by the Natchez Trace on the north, it has 105 miles of shoreline. The reservoir is named for Ross R. Barnett (1898–1987), governor of Mississippi from 1960 to 1966. The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, which administers the reservoir, provides recreational opportunities in the area: 48 parks and outdoor facilities, including 5 campgrounds, 16 parks, 22 boat launches, 3 wheelchair-accessible trails, 2 multipurpose trails, and a mountain bike trail. Each campground has a live-in, on-site reservoir patrol manager. In conjunction with the private and public sectors, the water-supply district has also developed five marinas, four baseball and soccer complexes, two golf courses, and a water park. (Note that there’s a $5 per vehicle fee on weekends and holidays during peak months.) The Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail also begins on the southwestern shores. The reservoir offers numerous places to launch a boat and paddle, while it’s common to see folks fishing just off the side of the Trace. The official map, which lists all boat ramps, depth contours, structures, fishing information, and GPS points, covers the reservoir and the Pearl River from the spillway north to Tuscolameta Creek, just upriver from the MS 25 bridge. Milepost 106.9: Boyd Site Most known burial mounds in Mississippi date to the Middle Woodland period (circa 100 BC–AD 400). The six small burial mounds at the Boyd Site, however, were built much later, during the Late Woodland and Early Mississippian periods, circa AD 800–1100. One of these, Mound 2, is accessible to visitors and features interpretive signage. (This is a sacred site, so be sure “pack out” whatever you bring in, and keep it litter free.) Several of the mounds, including Mound 2, were excavate