Natchez Trace Parkway
Places to Visit
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Take a short trail to Buzzard Roost Spring and read exhibits telling the story of Chicksaw Chief Levi Colbert.
Location: In the Northwestern corner of Alabama between the TN and MS borders. Milepost 320.3 along the Natchez Trace.
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George Colbert operated a stand and ferry here and reportedly charged Andrew Jackson $75,000 to ferry his army across the river.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Colbert Ferry is located at milepost 327.3 on the Natchez Trace Parkway.
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This overlook is the highest point on the Alabama section of the Natchez Trace.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Located at milepost 317 on the Natchez Trace.
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Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge (AL)
Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge, about 5 miles southwest of Florence, Alabama, was established in 1997 to ensure the biological integrity of Key Cave, Collier Cave, and the aquifer common to both. Key Cave has been designated as critical habitat for the endangered Alabama cavefish and as a priority one maternity cave for the endangered gray bat.
Distance from byway: 16 mi / 25.7 km Travel time: 16 minutes Directions: Go east on AL-20 to Florence. From AL-20, turn west on CO-2 (Gunwaleford Road). Follow CO-2 for about four miles and turn south on CO-223 (gravel road). Follow CO-223 for about 1.5 miles and turn west on CO-204 (gravel road). Follow CO-204 for 0.25 miles and the Refuge is located on the south side of the road.
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A self-guiding trail along Colbert Creek.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Rock Spring is located near Colbert Ferry at milepost 330.2.
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Trail of Tears National Historic Trail (AL)
In 1838, the United States government forcibly removed more than 16,000 Cherokee Indian people from their homelands and sent them to Indian Territory (today known as Oklahoma). The Trail of Tears tells their story.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: The Trail of Tears meanders through Alabama, Tennessee and the water route passes through Mississippi.
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This ceremonial structure was built around 200 AD. Peering closely at it, there are still barely-visible signs of a structure having once been built on the top of it.
Location: Bear Creek Mound is located along the Natchez Trace Parkway (milepost 308.8), about 45 miles northeast of Tupelo, Mississippi, at the Alabama state line.
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Another example of earthen mound burials, the Boyd Mounds were built from AD 800 to AD 1100.
Location: Boyd Mounds Site is located northeast of Jackson, Mississippi, on the Natchez Trace Parkway (milepost 106.9), approximately six miles east of the I-55 interchange.
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Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site (MS)
Once the site of a crucial and hard-fought battle of the Civil War, Brices Cross Roads is dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives there.
Distance from byway: 6 mi / 9.7 km Directions: The Site is 6 miles (9.6 km) west of Baldwyn on MS 370.
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The six burial mounds and associated habitation area at the Bynum site were built during the Middle Woodland period, between 100 B.C. and 100 A.D.
Location: Bynum Mound is located on the Natchez Trace Parkway (milepost 232.4), about 28 miles southwest of Tupelo, Mississippi.
