Natchez Trace Parkway

About

The Natchez Trace Parkway stretches 444 miles from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee, following a path that's been traveled for thousands of years. What began as a trail used by Native Americans, European explorers, and frontier traders is now one of the most beautiful drives in the southeastern United States.

The Parkway is managed by the National Park Service and offers a remarkably relaxed driving experience. Commercial traffic isn't allowed, the speed limit is 50 mph, and there are no stoplights. Along the way, you'll find hundreds of pullouts leading to historic sites, nature trails, waterfalls, and interpretive exhibits. It's the kind of place where you can spend an afternoon or a full week.

Near Tupelo, Mississippi, the Parkway Visitor Center is open 9am to 4:30pm, seven days a week. It's a great starting point with exhibits about the Trace's history, from the Chickasaw and Choctaw nations to the Civil War era. Staff can help you plan your route and answer questions about conditions along the drive.

Highlights include Emerald Mound, one of the largest ceremonial mounds in North America, the Cypress Swamp trail with its stunning old-growth trees, and Pharr Mounds, an archaeological site dating back 2,000 years. In the Ridgeland area, you'll find the Mississippi Crafts Center, a modern facility nestled in the trees that showcases work by over 300 local artisans.

Three campgrounds are located along the Parkway at Rocky Springs, Jeff Busby, and Meriwether Lewis. They're free and operate on a first-come, first-served basis, making them a popular stop for road-trippers and RV travelers alike.

Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or someone who just wants a peaceful drive through rolling hills and deep forests, the Natchez Trace Parkway delivers. Pack a cooler, charge your camera, and take your time. That's what the Trace is all about.

Accessibility

The Natchez Trace Parkway offers several accessibility features for visitors with mobility needs. The Parkway Visitor Center near Tupelo, MS, is accessible and open daily from 9am to 4:30pm. Staff there can be reached at 662-680-4027 for specific accessibility questions before your visit.

Each pullout along the Parkway has a routed sign that can be read from your vehicle, so you don't need to exit to get basic information about each stop. Interpretive signs at trailheads and parking areas are wheelchair accessible.

The three Parkway campgrounds (Rocky Springs, Jeff Busby, and Meriwether Lewis) have a limited number of ADA accessible campsites. These spots are typically located closest to the bathrooms and feature wheelchair accessible picnic tables and fire rings or grills.

The Mississippi Crafts Center near Ridgeland has been noted as accessible for power wheelchair users, with a modern, inviting layout.

Because the Parkway spans 444 miles, accessibility can vary significantly from stop to stop. Many of the nature trails are unpaved and may not be suitable for wheelchairs or mobility devices. Some historic sites involve uneven terrain. Contact the Parkway Visitor Center before your trip to ask about specific stops you'd like to visit and their current conditions. They can help you plan a route that matches your accessibility needs.

More accessible places in Mississippi

• Natchez National Historical Park (Natchez)
• Natchez Historic District & antebellum homes (Natchez)
• Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site (Baldwyn)
• Gulf Islands National Seashore - Mississippi District (Ocean Springs)
• Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument (Jackson)
• Gulf Islands National Seashore (Gulfport)

Photo credits

• Natchez Trace Parkway - main view of accessible destination: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Natchez Trace Parkway - view 2 of accessible destination: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Natchez Trace Parkway - view 3 of accessible destination: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)