Natchez Trace Parkway
Historic Natchez Trace

Departure:	Garrison Creek, Tennessee
Destination:	Grand Village of the Natchez State Historic Site, Mississippi
Time to allow:	2 days

This byway, which spans three states and is more than 400 miles long, is full of rich history and beautiful scenery. While on the parkway, official Natchez Trace Parkway signs will designate turnoffs and places of interest. Follow the clearly marked signs, and discover the treasures along the parkway.

Day 1

• Start: Garrison Creek

• Stop 1: Old Trace

  From previous stop:	5 minutes / 2 mi (3.2 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is near milepost 426.
  Suggested time at this stop:	10 minutes

  Visit a piece of the Old Natchez Road, which was cleared by the The U.S. Army in 1801-02 with the consent of the Chickasaw Nation.

• Stop 2: Tennessee Valley Divide

  From previous stop:	7 minutes / 5 mi (8.0 km)
  Directions:	Continue traveling south along the parkway. Destination is near milepost 423.
  Suggested time at this stop:	30 minutes

  When Tennessee was admitted to the Union in 1796, this watershed was the boundary between the United States to the north and the Chickasaw Nation to the south. It's an ambitious hike to the top, but there are several spots to set up your gear to rest from the climb.

• Stop 3: Gordon House and Ferry Site

  

  From previous stop:	30 minutes / 19 mi (30.4 km)
  Directions:	Continue traveling south along the parkway. Exit onto Marlowe Road. Destination is at milepost 407.7.
  Suggested time at this stop:	10 minutes

  From 1801 until traffic on the trace declined, the Gordons ran a ferry across the Duck River here.

• Stop 4: Jackson Falls

  

  From previous stop:	5 minutes / 3 mi (4.8 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is at milepost 404.7.
  Suggested time at this stop:	30 minutes

  Take out your picnic baskets to have a relaxing lunch next to the Jackson Falls. Named for Andrew Jackson, the falls are on the intermittent Jackson Branch that empties into Duck River.

• Stop 5: Old Trace

  From previous stop:	5 minutes / 2 mi (3.2 km)
  Directions:	Continue traveling south along the parkway. Destination is near milepost 403.
  Suggested time at this stop:	20 minutes

  Another piece of the Old Trace is located next to Jackson Falls--this time a 2,000 foot section is available to explore.

• Stop 6: Tobacco Farm

  From previous stop:	5 minutes / 3 mi (4.8 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination will be on your left near milepost 401.
  Suggested time at this stop:	30 minutes

  Stop here to get an explanation from the farmers about the intricacies that are involved with tobacco farming.

• Stop 7: Meriwether Lewis

  

  From previous stop:	20 minutes / 15 mi (24.0 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is at milepost 385.9 on Monument Road.
  Suggested time at this stop:	15 minutes

  Take a break to learn about the history of one of the great explorers. Located here is a campground, picnic area, restrooms, phone, ranger station, and grave of Meriwether Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame.

• Stop 8: Metal Ford & Napier Mine

  From previous stop:	10 minutes / 7 mi (11.2 km)
  Directions:	Continue traveling south along the parkway. Destinations will be at mileposts 382.8 and 381.8.
  Suggested time at this stop:	10 minutes

  This area became known as Metal Ford, due to the rocks at the bottom of the ford looking like the 'metaled' roads which were popular in the 19th century. The nearby mine was also in production at this time.

• Navigation: Old Trace Drive

  From previous stop:	12 minutes / 10 mi (16.0 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is near milepost 376.

  This 2.5-mile road follows the route of the original trace. Step out of your car to take advantage of the several overlooks which provide views of the countryside.

• Stop 9: Rock Spring

  From previous stop:	50 minutes / 45 mi (72.0 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway and cross the state border into Alabama. Destination is at milepost 330.2.
  Suggested time at this stop:	20 minutes

  As you cross the border into Alabama, take in what nature has to offer on this self-guiding trail along Colbert Creek.

• Stop 10: Buzzard Roost Spring

  From previous stop:	12 minutes / 10 mi (16.0 km)
  Directions:	Continue traveling south along the parkway and cross Pickwick Lake. Destination is near milepost 320 near the junction with Highway 72.
  Suggested time at this stop:	10 minutes

  Take the short trail to Buzzard Roost Spring and read exhibits telling the story of Chicksaw Chief Levi Colbert, a Chickasaw chief who owned a nearby stand.

• Stop 11: Freedom Hills Overlook

  From previous stop:	5 minutes / 4 mi (6.4 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is at milepost 317.
  Suggested time at this stop:	15 minutes

  This overlook is the highest point on the Alabama section of the Natchez Trace. Put on your hiking boots and take a trip up this steep trail to get the full impact of this 800-foot height.

• Stop 12: Bear Creek Mound

  From previous stop:	8 minutes / 7 mi (11.2 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is at milepost 308.8 near the Mississippi and Alabama state borders.
  Suggested time at this stop:	10 minutes

  As you continue the trail into Mississippi, take a look at the Bear Creek Mound. This ceremonial structure was built between AD 1200 and AD 1400. Peering closely at it, there are still barely-visible signs of a structure having once been built on the top of it.

• Stop 13: Tishomingo State Park

  From previous stop:	5 minutes / 4 mi (6.4 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. The parkway runs through the Tishomingo State Park near milepost 315.
  Suggested time at this stop:	30 minutes

  The park was named for a famous Chickasaw chief. Take the whole family here for a day of camping, picnicking, swimming, canoeing, and fishing.

• Stop 14: Pharr Mounds

  From previous stop:	20 minutes / 18 mi (28.8 km)
  Directions:	Continue traveling south on the parkway. Destination is located at milepost 286.7.
  Suggested time at this stop:	15 minutes

  This 90-acre complex of eight burial mounds was built from about AD 1 to AD 200.

• Stop 15: Confederate Gravesites

  From previous stop:	25 minutes / 18 mi (28.8 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is north of County Road 885 at milepost 269.4.
  Suggested time at this stop:	10 minutes

  Take a short walk on the old trace to visit the graves of 13 unknown Confederate soldiers.

• Stop 16: Tupelo Visitor Center

  From previous stop:	6 minutes / 4 mi (6.4 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is located at milepost 266.
  Suggested time at this stop:	30 minutes

  A nature trail leads you through an area of forest regrowth. Restrooms, exhibits, information, and an orientation program are available at the Visitor Center.

• Stop 17: Chickasaw Village

  From previous stop:	10 minutes / 5 mi (8.0 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is at milepost 261.8.
  Suggested time at this stop:	20 minutes

  Exhibits describing the daily life of the Chickasaw Indians, as well as the early history of this village site. A nearby nature trail takes visitors past the plants they used.

• End: Tupelo National Battlefield

  

  From previous stop:	7 minutes / 4 mi (6.4 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway to Tupelo. Follow signs and travel one mile east of the parkway to the Tupelo National Battlefield.

  Stop by this peaceful field, which was once the site of the last major Civil War battle in Mississippi, and one of the bloodiest in its history. Stay the night in a local hotel, motel, or inn within the town of Tupelo.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled:	185 miles / 296.0 km
Total Travel Time:	4 hours 7 minutes
Total Stopping Time:	5 hours 15 minutes

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Day 2

• Stop 1: Chickasaw Council House

  From previous stop:	15 minutes / 10 mi (16.0 km)
  Directions:	Continue traveling south along the parkway. Destination is at milepost 251.1.
  Suggested time at this stop:	30 minutes

  This is the site of Pontatok, the capital of the Chickasaw Nation during the 1820s. Share in their proud history and learn about Chickasaw way of life. This was where the Treaty of Pontatock Creek was signed; when the Chickasaw gave up their lands and moved west.

• Stop 2: Chickasaw Agency

  From previous stop:	15 minutes / 10 mi (16.0 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is near milepost 241.
  Suggested time at this stop:	30 minutes

  From 1801 to 1825 the agency for the Chickasaws was located here. There are several picnic tables avaliable for you to take a lunch break to prepare for the next leg of your journey.

• Stop 3: Bynum Mounds

  From previous stop:	15 minutes / 10 mi (16.0 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is located at milepost 232.4.
  Suggested time at this stop:	20 minutes

  Take a look at the exhibits here, which describe the life of the prehistoric peoples who built these mounds between 100 BC and AD 200.

• Stop 4: Pigeon Roost

  From previous stop:	35 minutes / 27 mi (43.2 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is south of Mathiston near milepost 204.
  Suggested time at this stop:	10 minutes

  Folsom's stand and trading post, operated by Nathaniel and David Folsom, once stood near here. Millions of passenger pigeons, now extinct, once roosted here.

• Stop 5: French Camp

  From previous stop:	25 minutes / 20 mi (32.0 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway and follow signs to French Camp near milepost 180.
  Suggested time at this stop:	15 minutes

  Stop by the old French Camp in the fall to see how sorghum is made.

• Stop 6: Cole Creek

  From previous stop:	7 minutes / 5 mi (8.0 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is near milepost 175.
  Suggested time at this stop:	5 minutes

  This five minute walk on the nature trail leads you through a bald cypress swamp.

• Stop 7: Information Center

  From previous stop:	20 minutes / 15 mi (24.0 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is north of Kosciusko and near milepost 160.
  Suggested time at this stop:	20 minutes

  Stop here to get the travel information that is vailable for the parkway and the Kosciusko area, provided by local chamber of commerce volunteers.

• Stop 8: Kosciusko

  From previous stop:	3 minutes / 1 mi (1.6 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway and follow signs to Kosciusko.
  Suggested time at this stop:	10 minutes

  Take a breather in this small town, which is full of things to do and see, with buildings dating back to late 19th century.

• Stop 9: Cypress Swamp

  From previous stop:	1 hour / 40 mi (64.0 km)
  Directions:	Continue traveling south along the parkway. Destination is on the north shore of the Ross Barnett Reservoir near milepost 121.
  Suggested time at this stop:	20 minutes

  This nature trail takes you through a water tupelo/bald cypress swamp.

• Stop 10: Boyd Mounds

  From previous stop:	22 minutes / 12 mi (19.2 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway adjacent to the Ross Barnett Reservoir. Destination is near the southwest shore of the reservoir at milepost 106.9.
  Suggested time at this stop:	10 minutes

  Another example of earthen mound burials, the Boyd Mounds were built from AD 800 to AD 1100.

• Stop 11: Mississippi Crafts Center

  

  From previous stop:	5 minutes / 3 mi (4.8 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Exit the Trace at Milepost 102 in Ridgeland onto Old Canton Road and travel south to Rice Road. Turn left on Rice Road and proceed east, backtracking parallel to the Parkway. The Mississippi Crafts Center will be to the north (on your left.)
  Suggested time at this stop:	30 minutes

  Sales, demonstrations and exhibits of regional Mississippi crafts and artwork are available here. Information about the exhibits is also available here.

• Stop 12: Rocky Springs

  From previous stop:	1 hour 15 minutes / 50 mi (80.0 km)
  Directions:	Travel southwest along the parkway. Destination is located at milepost 54.8.
  Suggested time at this stop:	15 minutes

  Once a bustling town on the Natchez Trace, now Rocky Springs is only a reminder of the history of the area. A short trail from the upper parking area leads to the old townsite. Take a break from the long road, with camping, or picnicking. From this area, another view of the Old Trace can be seen.

• Stop 13: Grindstone Ford/Mangum Site.

  From previous stop:	15 minutes / 10 mi (16.0 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is at milepost 45.7.
  Suggested time at this stop:	25 minutes

  Take a look at some of the artifacts found here, which reveal much about the prehistoric people who once lived in this area. Early-day travelers heading north considered themselves in wild country once they crossed the ford on Bayou Pierre.

• Stop 14: Mount Locust

  

  From previous stop:	40 minutes / 30 mi (48.0 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is at milepost 15.5.
  Suggested time at this stop:	30 minutes

  Mount Locust, a restored historic house, is one of the first stands in Mississippi. Stop by for the interpretive programs that run from February through November.

• Stop 15: Emerald Mound

  

  From previous stop:	7 minutes / 5 mi (8.0 km)
  Directions:	Travel south along the parkway. Destination is at milepost 10.3.
  Suggested time at this stop:	1 hour

  Ancestors of the Natchez built this ceremonial mound about AD 1400. The second largest of its type in the nation, the mound covers nearly 8 acres. A trail leading to the top invites you for a closer view of this ancient monument.

• End: Grand Village of the Natchez State Historic Site

  From previous stop:	15 minutes / 10 mi (16.0 km)
  Directions:	Continue traveling south along parkway. Destination is near milepost 1 and is located on 400 Jefferson Davis Boulevard, just off Highway 98.
  Suggested time at this stop:	1 hour

  End your trip at what was once the center of activities of the now-extinct Natchez Indians from 1682-1729.

Totals for Day 2

Total Distance Traveled:	258 miles / 412.8 km
Total Travel Time:	6 hours 14 minutes
Total Stopping Time:	6 hours 30 minutes