Natchez Trace Parkway

Welcome to the audio-described version of Natchez Trace Parkway official print brochure. Through text and audio descriptions of photos, illustrations, and maps, this version interprets the two-sided color brochure that Natchez Trace Parkway visitors receive. The brochure explores the history of the park, some of its highlights, and information for planning your visit. This audio version lasts about 1 hour and 3 minutes which we have divided into 44 sections, as a way to improve the listening experience. Sections one through 20 cover the front of the brochure and include information regarding the history of Natchez Trace and points of interest along the 444-mile road. Sections 21 through 44 cover the back of the brochure which consists of a map of the entire parkway. 

Embark on a remarkable 444-mile journey along the Old Natchez Trace corridor, an historic route that weaves together 10,000 years of travel and culture. Winding its way through agricultural corn, cotton, and soybean fields, pine and hardwood forests, and engineered waterways in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, the Natchez Trace Parkway invites you to experience history and nature.

Established as a national park in 1938 and officially completed in 2005, the parkway receives over 6 million recreational visits per year, making it one of the most visited national parks in the country. Visitors come to experience a leisurely drive, unimpeded by billboards or commercial vehicles. 

The pullouts and trails of this designed landscape beckon as you step back in time to explore waterfalls, visit Native American mounds, walk the sunken trace, tour an historic inn, learn of the final days of Meriwether Lewis, discover the perseverance of enslaved families, and more. Every stop holds a story waiting to be discovered as you travel from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. Start at any one of the 400 entry points along the entire 444-miles.

For those seeking to learn more about the park during their visit, assistive listening and audio description devices are available to use while watching the orientation video at the Parkway Visitor Center located in Tupelo, Mississippi at Park Headquarters. To find out more about what resources might be available or to contact the park directly, visit the "Accessibility" and "More Information" sections at the end of this audio-described brochure.

The front side of the brochure shows the standard National Park Service black banner across the top with the text "Natchez Trace Parkway. Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee. National Park Service, Department of the Interior. The National Park Service Arrowhead is on the right side, which consists of a brown arrowhead logo with the point facing down. White text on the right reads National Park Service.  A tall green tree stands on the left. At the bottom, a white bison grazes on a green field ending in a distant tree line, a white lake at right. A snow-capped mountain towers behind.

The brochure orients visitors to the history of Natchez Trace Parkway, the Parkway today, planning a visit, and Parkway highlights in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. It features color photos, maps, and a list of Parkway highlights, including starred "don't miss" sites. The descriptions are each presented under their own sections. 

There are four main sections. The first section tells the history of the Natchez Trace Parkway and the Parkway today. The next section tells the Parkway Highlights of Tennessee and Alabama. In this section, you'll find a map and color images. The next section is set up similarly, with a list of mileposts for the Parkway highlights in Mississippi, maps for the Jeff Busby Site and Rocky Springs Site, and more color images. At the bottom of the brochure, you'll find the Plan Your Visit information, with specifics about Accommodations and Services, Camping, Safety, and Accessibility. 

DESCRIBING.: A snapshot of the deck of the Double Arch Bridge over Tennessee Highway 96, milepost 438, which stretches across the brochure's width.

SYNOPSIS.: Welcome to the Double Arch Bridge, an engineering marvel spanning Tennessee Highway 96. Imagine standing on the south side of the bridge, looking north across its 1,572 ft (479 m) span. A short guardrail runs along the side of the bridge. No other trusses or cables are above the structure. A lush green curtain of deciduous trees frames the bridge. A lone car is approaching the bridge in the distance. When printed the image sits above the related text.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION.: The bridge is sometimes called a cathedral arch bridge because the pre-cast hollow white concrete boxes have a clean and unencumbered appearance. It's considered one of the most outstanding bridges of the 1990s receiving many awards for its design including a Presidential Award for Design Excellence in 1995. The top of a single arch is barely visible as the bridge juts out over Bird Song Hollow standing 145 ft (44 m) over the highway below.

This portion of the Natchez Trace Parkway is six miles south of the northern terminus of the parkway near Nashville, Tennesse. The Bird Song Hollow overlook is on the northwest end of the bridge and Timberland Park is one-mile south of the bridge.

CAPTION.: Double Arch Bridge, milepost 438.

CREDIT.: NPS / Marc Muench

RELATED TEXT.:  Along the Natchez Trace Parkway, stories of the Old Southwest await discovery on a streamside trail, in a historic stand, or just around a bend in the road.

The Natchez Trace Parkway leads you 444 miles through three states and 10,000 years of history. Established as a unit of the National Park System in 1938 and officially completed in 2005, the parkway commemorates the most significant highway of the Old Southwest.

The natural travel corridor that became the Natchez Trace dates back many centuries. It bisected the traditional homelands of the Natchez, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Nations. As the United States expanded westward in the late 1700s and early 1800s, growing numbers of travelers tramped the rough trail into a clearly marked path. Where the ground was relatively soft, walkers, riders, and wagons wore down the “sunken” sections you see today. In 1800 the 6th US Congress designated the Trace a national post road for mail delivery between Nashville and Natchez.

General Andrew Jackson, Meriwether Lewis (who died on the Trace in 1809), John James Audubon, Jefferson Davis, and Ulysses S. Grant are some of the famous Americans who traveled the Natchez Trace. Most travelers, though, were anonymous working people. In the early 1800s through the mid-1820s, “Kaintucks” from the Ohio River Valley floated cash crops, livestock, and other materials down the Mississippi River on wooden flatboats. At Natchez or New Orleans, they sold their goods, sold their boats for lumber, and walked or rode horseback home via the Old Trace. As the road was improved, stands or inns provided lodging and food to travelers. Later, thousands of enslaved people were forcibly marched down the Trace.

Today the Natchez Trace Parkway creates a greenway from the southern Appalachian foothills of Tennessee to the bluffs of the lower Mississippi River. Along the way are sites like Emerald Mound, a National Historic Landmark and one of the largest mounds built by Native people in the United States, and Mount Locust, one of only two surviving stands from the old traveling days.

The Trace also crosses four distinct ecosystems and eight major watersheds. It is habitat for many species: nearly 1,500 plants, 33 mammals, 134 birds, and 70 reptiles and amphibians. As a designated National Scenic Byway, All-American Road, and bicycling route, the parkway is ideal for modern travelers to experience historic and scenic landscapes at a leisurely pace.

IMAGE 1 of 2: Meriwether Lewis Monument, milepost 385.9.

DESCRIBING: A color photograph of the monument at Meriwether Lewis's burial site in Hohenwald, Tennessee.

SYNOPSIS: The monument consists of large light tan sandstone bricks stacked as a tetrahedron, or four-sided pyramid, and topped with a cylinder-shaped monolith, or free-standing upright block of stone with the top broken to represent a life cut short.  The monument is surrounded by lush green grass with large native trees in the background.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The base of the monument has space all around it. It looks like eight layers of brick have been stacked on top of one another. The monolith sits directly on top of a slab with indistinguishable writing. The colors are well worn with darker brown interspersed throughout giving it a weathered appearance that comes with decades of exposure to the elements.  The lawn is well manicured, and the trees are varying sizes with the one on the left being the tallest. Its foliage reaches to the top of the picture. The light blue sky paints the background with some puffy white clouds.

CREDIT: NPS / Marc Muench.

IMAGE 2 of 2: Great blue heron

DESCRIBING: A square, color photograph of a tall great blue heron looking down over a small waterfall.

SYNOPSIS: A tall great blue heron with its wings tucked into its sides, hunches down over a waterfall to look for food. Adult great blue herons can stand up to about 6 feet high. 

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The heron in the picture is facing down and to the left pointing a long, yellow and blue beak above the water. It has a white neck that is curved from the body up to the head. The long legs are blue on the bottom half and white on the top half with knees that are bent slightly behind the bird. The main body of the bird is primarily light blue with some white, dark blue, and orange feathers. The orange feathers are only found on the bird’s upper back. The water is clear so the bird can see into the water. There are two long, visible toes at the end of each of the bird’s legs. The water is rippling as it begins to run over the edge of the waterfall. There appear to be leaves and a stick in the water to the bottom left corner of the image. The faded background allows the heron to be the focus.

CAPTION: A great blue heron stands in the water at the top of a waterfall.

CREDIT: Mark Muse

RELATED TEXT: Roll with the ups and downs of hill country, cross the Double Arch Bridge, visit the grave of Meriwether Lewis.

Mileposts are on the parkway’s east side. The milepost numbering system begins at the southern terminus in Natchez, Mississippi, milepost 0. The northern terminus, milepost 444, is near Nashville, Tennessee. Points of interest and visitor services are noted below to the nearest tenth of a mile. On the map, mileposts are labeled every 10 miles. Some side roads are not accessible to RVs or low-clearance vehicles. “NST” denotes a trailhead for the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail."Don't miss" sites are indicated as "Must see."

444.0 Northern Terminus,

At Tennessee Highway 100.

Must see. 438.0 Birdsong Hollow,

This Double Arch Bridge over Tennessee Highway 96 won the 1995 Presidential Award for Design Excellence.

427.6 Garrison Creek,

Named for a nearby 1801–02 US Army post. Picnic area, NST.

426.3 War of 1812 Memorial/Old Trace,

During this war, soldiers marched to and from battle along the Old Natchez Trace. NST.

425.4 Burns Branch,

Picnic area, NST.

423.9 Tennessee Valley Divide,

1796 boundary between new state of Tennessee and Chickasaw Nation to south. NST.

411.8 Water Valley Overlook,

Scenic view.

Must see. 407.7 Gordon House Historic Site,

Site of early 1800s trading post and ferry. Gordon family home dates from 1818.

405.1 Baker Bluff Overlook,

Scenic view.

Must see. 404.7 Jackson Falls,

Steep trail to falls.

403.7 Old Trace,

2,000-foot section.

Must see. 401.4 Tobacco Farm/Old Trace Drive,

Exhibits on tobacco growing. One-way, 2-mile, partly paved drive along Old Trace begins here; no RVs on drive.

400.2 Sheboss Place,

A stand (inn for travelers) operated nearby in the 1800s.

397.4 Old Trace,

Boundary of Chickasaw lands ceded to US in 1805 and 1816.

394 Devil’s Backbone State Natural Area,

No RVs.

392.5 Swan View Overlook,

Scenic view.

Must see. 391.9 Fall Hollow,

Short walk to falls.

390.7 Phosphate Mine,

Short walk by a historic phosphate mining site.

Must see. 385.9 Meriwether Lewis,

Gravesite of explorer Meriwether Lewis, who died here in 1809. Campground, hiking trails, exhibits, picnic area, restrooms. (See detail map.)

382.8 Metal Ford,

Old Trace crossing for Buffalo River. Short trail.

381.8 Napier Mine,

Historic iron mine.

377.8 Jacks Branch,

Picnic area, restrooms.

Must see. 375.8 Old Trace Drive,

One-way, 2½-mile drive along Old Trace begins here. No RVs.

367.3 Dogwood Mudhole,

This mudhole on the Old Trace (a mile to the south) was impassable to wagons after heavy rain.

364.5 Glenrock Branch,

Picnic area, restrooms.

363.0 Sweetwater Branch,

20-minute walk along stream; seasonal wildflowers.

352.9 McGlamery Stand,

Site of historic stand from the mid-1800s.

350.5 Sunken Trace,

Shows how Trace was rerouted to bypass mudholes.

346.2 Holly,

Picnic area.

343.5 Cypress Creek,

Picnic area.

341.8 Tennessee-Alabama state line.

RELATED TEXT: Points of interest and visitor services are noted below to the nearest tenth of a mile. On the map mileposts are labeled every 10 miles. Some side roads are not accessible to RVs or low-clearance vehicles. “NST” denotes a trailhead for the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. "Don't miss" sites are indicated "Must see."

341.8 Tennessee-Alabama state line.

 Must see. 330.2 Rock Spring,

20-minute walk along Colbert Creek. Seasonal wildflowers.

328.7 Water Route Overlook,

Picnic area.

328.6–327.8 John Coffee Memorial Bridge,

The parkway’s longest bridge crosses the Tennessee River.

Must see. 327.3 Colbert Ferry,

Chickasaw George Colbert operated a stand and ferry in the early 1800s. Fishing, boat launch, bike-only campground, restrooms.

320.3 Buzzard Roost Spring,

Site of historic stand. Short trail to spring.

317.0 Freedom Hills Overlook, 

Steep, quarter-mile trail climbs to Alabama’s highest point on the parkway, 800 feet.

313.0 Bear Creek,

Picnic area.

308.9 Alabama-Mississippi state line.

DESCRIBING.: A color panoramic photograph of the John Coffee Memorial Bridge, milepost 328.6-327.8, which stretches across the brochure's width.

SYNOPSIS.: The nearly mile-long John Coffee Memorial Bridge extends across the Tennessee River under an orange sky at dusk. Built in 1964 and recently renovated, the continuous beam bridge is empty, devoid of traffic to disturb the serene setting. A short guardrail runs along the side of the bridge. No other trusses or cables are above the structure. 

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION.: The bridge extends from the upper right of the photo all the way to the middle of the long, rectangular image. The evenly spaced T-shaped beams of reinforced concrete are bathed in shadow and seem to disappear into darkness on the far end, where the dark shoreline of trees melds into the orange horizon line of the dusky sunset. Mist rises above the water in the distance. 

Below, the Tennessee River is calm, and the orange and yellow sky is reflected. The beams are mirror images in the water.. The still water is dappled with natural river debris. Sticks, leaves, and foliage in shadow seem to skim the top of the water. Parts of the bridge and water are obscured by a frame of dark leaves which hang down across the top of the photo as if viewed from beneath a tree. The closeness of the dangling branches enhances the feeling of distance to the opposite shore. 

This portion of the Natchez Trace Parkway is in the northwest corner of Alabama between Route 20 and Interstate 72 in Colbert County. The Colbert Ferry Park lies just on the west side of the river, with the Rock Springs Nature Trail less than three miles on the east side.

CAPTION.: John Coffee Memorial Bridge, milepost 328.6–327.8

CREDIT.: NPS / Marc Muench

IMAGE 1 of 2: Cypress Swamp

DESCRIBING: [A small colored photograph of a swamp with trees.]

SYNOPSIS: [A gray, weathered, wooden pedestrian bridge leads into the distance through a swampy forest. Standing water is visible on either side of the bridge. Mostly branchless, submerged stone-hued tree-trunks arise from the water throughout the swamp. The tops of the trees stretch beyond the top of the image. Reflections of the trunks can be seen on the still water surface. The sun bursts from behind the trunks on the left of the bridge, stretching its rays into the image.]

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: [The brown and gray, weathered wooden pedestrian bridge is a few feet wide, and constructed of horizontal planks. Each side of the bridge has a wooden railing, constructed with a horizontal plank midway up the railing, and another horizontal plank on the top of the railing. The railing has a vertical support plank every few feet. The railing appears to be three to four feet tall. As the pedestrian bridge leads towards the horizon of the image, it curves to the right. There is some visible standing water, puddles, on parts of the bridge. The standing water that the bridge is extending over appears to be within a few feet of the bottom of the bridge. The water looks very still, as the reflections from all the tree trunks and the reflection from the sunburst are very clear in the water. There is a warm, yellow-orange color in both the sunburst and the reflection on the water. The stone-hue from the tree trunks can be seen in the reflection, as well as the bright green from the leaves in the vegetation. ]

CAPTION: Cypress Swamp, milepost 122.0

CREDIT: NPS / Marc Muench.

IMAGE 2 of 2: Road Bicyclist

DESCRIBING: [a color photograph of a two-lane, paved road.]

SYNOPSIS: [Looking at a scene of a two-lane, paved road, curving as it crosses a short bridge. Short cut grass lines the roadway, with a view of shrubs growing in the area under the bridge. There are three people riding bicycles on the right side of the road, with their backs to the viewer. One bicyclist is in the foreground, before the bridge crossing and the two others are further away, having crossed the bridge.]

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: [The bicyclist in the foreground is sitting upright on the bike, wearing a red short-sleeve shirt, black shorts, black shoes, a black helmet and a small backpack, high on their back. The bicyclist who is furthest away is hovering forward over the handlebars of the bike, wearing dark colored shorts, a red shirt, a small dark-colored backpack and a black helmet. The third bicyclist is what appears to be a few feet behind the bicyclist who is furthest away. This bicyclist is leaning far forward over their handlebars, as their head is not visible, wearing dark-colored shorts, a red colored shirt, and a dark-colored small backpack. The road begins in the bottom left of the photograph, curving towards the right until it becomes a bridge. Then the road curves right again as it exits the photograph in the upper right. The road is lined with short cut grass, which is covered with sparsely fallen red, yellow green, and brown leaves. The bridge section of the road is lined with short gray concrete walls. There are more shrubs of varying heights, covered in different hues of green leaves, within the ravine that goes under the bridge, and which can be seen on both sides of the bridge in the photograph.]

CAPTION: Motorists should be alert for bicyclists, especially during spring and fall.

CREDIT: NPS / Marc Muench

RELATED TEXT.: See ancient mounds, walk through a cypress swamp, tour the historic Mount Locust stand. Points of interest and visitor services are noted below to the nearest tenth of a mile. On the map mileposts are labeled every 10 miles. Some side roads are not accessible to RVs or low-clearance vehicles. “NST” denotes a trailhead for the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. "Don't miss" sites are indicated "Must see."

308.8 Bear Creek Mound,

Mound built by Native people between 1400 and 1600.

308.4 Cave Spring,

Natural cave, probably used by Native Americans for water and stone.

304.5 Tishomingo State Park,

Access road.

293.4 Bay Springs Lake,

Access road.

293.2 Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and Jamie L. Whitten Bridge,

The waterway opens a navigable route between the Gulf of Mexico and Tennessee River.

Must See. 286.7 Pharr Mounds,

Eight mounds built 1,800 to 2,000 years ago. Restrooms.

286.3 Browns Bottom,

Fishing.

283.3 Donivan Slough,

Short walk through habitat influenced by occasional flooding.

278.4 Twentymile Bottom Overlook,

View of Old Trace crossing. No RVs.

275.2 Dogwood Valley,

Short walk among dogwood trees.

Must See. 269.4 Old Trace and Confederate Gravesites,

Short walk to graves of 13 unidentified Confederate soldiers.

Must see. 266.0 Parkway Visitor Center and Headquarters,

Information, exhibits, film, restrooms, bike-only campground, NST.

263.9 Old Town Overlook,

Views of Old Town Creek and its floodplain. NST.

Must see. 261.8 Chickasaw Village Site,

Exhibits on Chickasaw village that stood here. NST.

259.7 Tupelo National Battlefield,

The 1864 battlefield is one mile east on Main Street.

251.9 Black Belt Overlook,

Named for a once-vast prairie with rich, black soil.

251.1 Chickasaw Council House,

Site of Pontatok, Chickasaw Nation capital in the 1820s. Picnic area.

249.6 Tockshish,

Site of stand and midway point on early-1800s National Post Road, where post riders transferred mailbags.

245.6 Monroe Mission,

Chickasaw people learned trades at the mission. Picnic area.

243.3 Hernando de Soto,

The Spanish explorer spent winter 1540–41 nearby.

243.1 Davis Lake,

Access road to US Forest Service picnic and summer camping area.

241.4 Chickasaw Agency,

Agency for the Chickasaw was located here 1801–25.

233.2 Witch Dance,

Horse trail access, bike-only campground, picnic area, restrooms.

Must see 232.4 Bynum Mounds,

Built between 2,050 and 1,800 years ago. Exhibits.

221.4 Old Trace,

Section of the original Trace.

213.3 Line Creek,

Historic boundary between Chickasaw and Choctaw lands.

203.5 Pigeon Roost,

Former roosting area for millions of passenger pigeons, now extinct. Folsom’s stand stood nearby.

201.3 Ballard Creek,

Picnic area.

198.6 Old Trace,

Section of original Trace.

Must see. 193.1 Jeff Busby,

Short drive or 20-minute walk to one of Mississippi’s highest points, 603 feet. Picnic area, campground, restrooms. (See detail map.)

180.7 French Camp, 

Louis LeFleur’s stand opened in 1812.

176.3 Bethel Mission,

Choctaw mission stood a half mile to the northwest. Picnic area.

175.6 Cole Creek,

Short trail through a water tupelo/bald-cypress swamp.

164.3 Hurricane Creek,

Short walk among plants found in different soil conditions.

160.0 Kosciusko Welcome Center,

Travel information for local area. Bike-only campground.

154.3 Holly Hill,

Picnic area, restrooms.

145.1 Myrick Creek,

Short trail.

140.0 Red Dog Road,

Named for a Choctaw chief, the road opened in 1834.

RELATED TEXT: See ancient mounds, walk through a cypress swamp, tour the historic Mount Locust stand. Points of interest and visitor services are noted below to the nearest tenth of a mile. On the map mileposts are labeled every 10 miles. Some side roads are not accessible to RVs or low-clearance vehicles. “NST” denotes a trailhead for the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. "Don't miss" sites are indicated "Must see."

140.0 Red Dog Road,

Named for a Choctaw chief, the road opened in 1834.

135.5 Robinson Road,

Historic road from Jackson to Columbus, MS. Picnic area.

130.9 Yockanookany,

NST.

128.4 Upper Choctaw Boundary,

Short trail. NST.

122.6 River Bend,

Picnic area, restrooms.

Must see. 122.0 Cypress Swamp,

Half-mile walk through water tupelo/bald-cypress swamp. For NST, cross to west side of parkway.

107.9 West Florida Boundary,

The old boundary ran from the confluence of the Yazoo and Mississippi rivers to the Chattahoochee River. NST.

106.9 Boyd Site,

Mounds built between 750 and 1,250 years ago.

105.6 Reservoir Overlook.

Ross R. Barnett Reservoir on the Pearl River.

104.5 Old Trace and Brashears Stand Site,

The stand was advertised in 1806 as “a house of entertainment in the wilderness.”

Must see. 102.4 Parkway Information Cabin,

Restrooms and access to multi-use trail.

100.7 Choctaw Agency,

Site of the liaison office between the US government and the Choctaw Nation, early 1800s.

93.1 Osburn Stand,

Site of Noble Osburn’s stand, 1811 to early 1820s.

88.1 Cowles Mead Cemetery,

Cowles Mead owned a stand along the Old Trace and was acting territorial governor (1806).

78.3 Battle of Raymond,

Information on 1863 battle during the Vicksburg campaign.

73.5 Dean Stand Site,

Dates from 1820s–30s. Nearby is the site of Dillon’s Plantation, May 1863 Vicksburg campaign headquarters for US generals Grant and Sherman.

61.0 Lower Choctaw Boundary,

Boundary between the Choctaw Nation and the Natchez District.

Must see. 54.8 Rocky Springs,

Short trail to historic town site. Camping, picnic area, restrooms. NST. (See detail map.)

52.4 Owens Creek,

NST.

45.7 Grindstone Ford/Mangum Mound,

The ford across Bayou Pierre marked the northern edge of European settlement in the early 1800s. Vehicle height limit 11 feet 6 inches.

Must see. 41.5 Sunken Trace,

Short trail through a deeply eroded section of the original Trace.

20.1 NST Trailhead,

Trailhead one mile east off MS Route 553.

18.4 Bullen Creek,

Short trail through hardwood-pine forest.

17.5 Coles Creek,

Picnic area, restrooms.

17.0 NST Trailhead,

Trailhead off Geohegan Road. No RVs.

Must see. 15.5 Mount Locust,

Restored plantation and historic stand. House tours, exhibits, restrooms.

12.4 Loess Bluff,

Windblown soil (loess) was deposited here during the ice ages.

12.1 Turpin Creek,

Picnic area.

Must see. 10.3 Emerald Mound

Eight-acre mound built between 1200 and 1650; now a National Historic Landmark.

8.7 Old Trace Exhibit Shelter, 

5.1 Elizabeth Female Academy Site,

Founded in 1818, first school for women chartered by the state of Mississippi.

DESCRIBING: A mesmerizing photograph bursting with vibrant colors captures a preserved portion of the Sunken Trace at Natchez Trace Parkway, a historic trail with deep historical significance. 

SYNOPSIS: Welcome to the Sunken Trace at Natchez Trace Parkway, a captivating trail that winds through a deeply eroded section of the original trace. As you embark on this journey, imagine yourself surrounded by towering trees, their branches reaching towards the sky. The Sunken Trace, which has been traversed by tens of thousands of people over the past 10,000 years, holds a rich history that has shaped the landscape we see today. The trace's sunken appearance is a result of the unique loess soil, known for its porous and dust-like nature, which has contributed to the soil's erosion and compaction over time. Walking along this sunken path, you become part of a historical pilgrimage that has drawn a diverse range of travelers throughout the ages.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: Preserved as a living testimony to the past, this sunken path invites you to pause, take a deep breath of earthy, fresh air, and appreciate the significance of this special place. As you embark on this trail, can you imagine the hushed stillness enveloping your walk, isolating you from the stress of everyday events. Experience the sound of chirping and singing birds., the warmth of the sun on your skin. This portion of preserved Sunken Trace is but one example of old Trace in the Parkway. Other portions of preserved old Trace include mileposts 221.4 and 198.6, when you travel north on the Parkway.

CAPTION: Sunken Trace, milepost 41.5

CREDIT: NPS / Marc Muench

IMAGE 1 of 2: Mount Locust Cabin - Outside

DESCRIBING: A large wooden cabin sits on a field.

SYNOPSIS: A large wooden cabin with blue shutters and a red brick chimney sits on a field. This view shows the exterior of the right side of the cabin.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The cabin sits on top of small wooden supports on top of a field of green grass. White curtains hang inside the windows. The sky is blue with white clouds. A wooden railing leads down to the right side of the house.  The front porch faces green shrubs on the right side of the screen. The back of the house faces the left side toward a forest of trees. 

CAPTION: Mount Locust, milepost 15.5

CREDIT: NPS / Marc Muench.

RELATED TEXT: This historic stand looks down onto the Natchez Trace Parkway at mile marker 15.5 near Natchez, Mississippi. The kaintuck travelers would stay the night in this house between 1785 and 1830. The family owned enslaved people who worked on the plantation near the house. The Ferguson-Chamberlain family lived in this home from 1785 until 1940. This is the only stand left in existence on the historic Natchez Trace.

IMAGE 2 of 2: Mount Locust Cabin - Inside.

DESCRIBING: A small square with a view inside the master bedroom of Mount Locust.

SYNOPSIS: A bed, a desk, a fireplace, and several wooden chairs fill this room. This room is on the opposite side of the wall in the first picture. There is a wooden dresser on the left side of the image. There is blue paint around the fireplace and the windows on the left side of the image. The doorway on the right side of the screen has blue paint around the edge.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The chair in the middle of the room is a rocking chair. A large rug lies in the middle of the room. The chair at the desk on the right side of the screen is not a rocking chair. The desk on the right side of the picture has a piece of paper sitting on it. There is a chest under the bed in the back corner of the room. The bed is very low to the ground. There is a white cloth hanging on the back wall of the room next to the blue doorway.

CAPTION: Mount Locust, milepost 15.5

CREDIT: NPS / Marc Muench

RELATED TEXT: This was the master bedroom of Mount Locust. William and Paulina Ferguson moved their family to this property in 1784. They lived in this room which was connected to the nursery in the next room at the back of the picture on the right. Paulina Ferguson had 11 total children in her lifetime.

DESCRIBING: A picture of the Southeast side of Emerald Mound.

SYNOPSIS: Emerald Mound, a serene flat-topped earthen structure, gently rises to a modest height of thirty-five feet. A smaller mound crowns its summit at roughly thirty feet high. Nestled in the tranquil Mississippi countryside, green grass covers the mound like a layer of smooth carpet, blending seamlessly with the landscape. Sunlight filters through towering trees, casting intermittent shade on the open grass around the mound. The thick surrounding forest provides a peaceful backdrop, subtly mirroring the changes in the landscape since its construction.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: Mound construction was a collaborative effort, where Native Americans worked together over time. Using digging sticks, they filled baskets with soil and carried them back to their villages. Once there, the soil was emptied and stamped down, gradually forming the base of the mounds. These mounds served various purposes like sacred temples, burial sites, and spaces for ceremonies. Emerald Mound reflects the cultural heritage of the Native American communities. It quietly encourages visitors to explore the history and significance of this skillfully crafted structure, a glimpse into the past where people shaped the land with purpose.

CAPTION: Emerald Mound, milepost 10.3.

CREDIT: NPS / Marc Muench

Accommodations and Services..

Hundreds of towns are just off the Parkway. You can sleep at 5 star hotels or hang out at the local BBQ place, and everything in between. Nearby communities have lodging, restaurants, gas stations, medical care, and other services.

Camping..

No-fee camping is available along the Parkway. There are 3 RV/tent campgrounds. They are first come first served. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days and 30 days parkwide per calendar year. No hookups or showers. Bike-only primitive campgrounds have tent sites, picnic tables, and grills. For details, check the park website.

For a Safe Visit..

• Obey posted speed limits. 

• Watch for animals on the parkway. 

• Motorists must change lanes when passing bicyclists; watch for oncoming traffic. 

• Bicyclists must travel single file and should wear high-visibility clothing and use lights. 

• Avoid fatigue; stop often. 

• Special hauling restrictions apply. Commercial vehicles and trucks over a one ton rated capacity are prohibited. 

• Using remotely piloted aircraft like drones is prohibited. 

• For firearms regulations check the park website. 

• Hunting is prohibited. 

• Camp only at designated campgrounds. 

• Build fires only in provided fire rings. 

• Watch out for fire ants, ticks, poison ivy, and venomous snakes. Don’t put your hands or feet in places you can’t see. 

• Federal laws protect all natural, historical, and archeological objects in the park.

The Parkway was built for car touring. Much of the experience can be enjoyed from the comfort of your car. Many pull-offs and overlooks are designed so that you can read signs and survey the vistas from your car.

Most public facilities within the Parkway are wheelchair accessible, as are the pull-offs and overlooks found along the drive.

We offer three different brochures in braille. Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo and Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield, and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. They can be picked up at any of our visitor centers.

We provide closed captions and audio descriptions on all of our videos. Our website also provides a list of available audio descriptions for some of the wayside exhibits along the parkway. A list of trails and accessibility information is available online or at one of our visitor centers. Each campground has wheelchair-accessible campsites.

A tactile map can be found at Mount Locust at milepost 15.5.

Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are found at the following locations.:

• Timberland Park.
• Garrison Creek.
• Meriwether Lewis at milepost 385.9.
• Jacks Branch.
• Glenrock Branch at milepost 364.5.
• Colbert Ferry at milepost 327.3.
• Tishomingo State Park at milepost 304.5.
• Visitor Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• Pharr Mounds Exhibit Shelter at milepost 286.7.
• Parkway Visitor Center, Parkway Headquarters.
• Witch Dance at milepost 233.2.
• Jeff Busby at milepost 193.1.
• Kosciusko Welcome Center at milepost 160.0.
• Holly Hill milepost 154.3.
• River Bend at milepost 122.6.
• Parkway Information Cabin at milepost 102.4.
• Rocky Springs at milepost 54.8.
• Coles Creek at milepost 17.5.
• Mount Locust Information Center at milepost 15.5.
• Natchez State Park.

Wheelchair-accessible self-guiding trails are found at the following locations.

• Timberland Park.
• Meriwether Lewis at milepost 385.9.

We strive to make facilities, services, and programs accessible to all. For more information go to a visitor center, ask a ranger, call, six six two, six eight zero, four zero two seven, or visit our website on accessibility at https://www.nps.gov/natr/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm

Emergencies call 911.

ADDRESS: Natchez Trace Parkway, 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS 38804.

PHONE: (662) 680-4027 or eight hundred three zero five seven four one seven.

WEBSITE: www.nps.gov/natr.

Follow us on social media. Use the official NPS App to guide your visit.

Natchez Trace Parkway is one of over 400 parks in the National Park System. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

The back side of the brochure provides a full-length map for visitors to orient themselves to explore any part of the Natchez Trace Parkway. The map extends from Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi and provides points of interest along the route.  

It also shows the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail which commemorates the removal and survival experiences of the Cherokee people, forcibly taken from their homelands in the Southeast to Indian Territory (Oklahoma). The Trail of Tears, part of U.S. Indian Removal policy, caused the death of thousands. Today, the trail follows 5,000 miles of historic removal routes across nine states.

DESCRIBING: A map of the Natchez Trace Parkway 

SYNOPSIS: The map of Natchez Trace Parkway represents about 600 miles in length and 60 miles in width featuring the parkway as a prominent green line down the center of a yellow backdrop. The features of the 444-mile parkway are the primary focus of the map while other areas of interest, towns, and major roads are listed as reference points. The map description has been broken out into sections for ease of navigation. North is pointing up and to the left on the map.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana are represented on the map within about a 30 mile radius to the left and right of the parkway. The details of the map are included in the map sections broken up by state. Tennessee, Alabama, Upper Mississippi, and Lower Mississippi. Louisiana does not contain any additional description.

RELATED TEXT: Exploring Natchez Trace Parkway

DESCRIBING: Three Natchez Trace Parkway visitor centers and their relevant mileposts on the map.

SYNOPSIS: There are three visitor centers and/or visitor contact stations staffed by Natchez Trace Parkway. Operating hours vary by location. 

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION:

Meriwether Lewis Visitor contact station at Grinder's Stand, milepost 385.9, near Hohenwald, Tennessee.

Staffed intermittently. Contains exhibits about Meriwether Lewis.

Parkway Visitor Center, milepost 266, Tupelo, Mississippi.

Staffed 7 days a week, except Thanksgiving, December 25th and January 1st. Contains exhibits, an orientation film, and the America's National Parks Bookstore.

Parkway Information Cabin, milepost 102.4, Ridgeland, Mississippi.

Permanently closed.

Mount Locust Inn and Plantation, milepost 15.5, near Natchez, Mississippi.

DESCRIBING: Natchez Trace Parkway run campgrounds and their mileposts on the map.

SYNOPSIS: The Natchez Trace Parkway operates three R V /tent campgrounds and five bicyclist only campgrounds. They are fee-free and first come first served.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: 

Milepost 54.8, Rocky Springs Campground for bicyclists, tenters, and RVs. See detailed map on front side of the brochure.

Milepost 160, Kosciusko Bicycle-only Campground.

Milepost 193.1, Jeff Busby Campground for bicyclists, tenters, and RVs. See detailed map on front side of the brochure.

Milepost 234, Witch Dance Bicycle-only Campground.

Milepost 266, Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center Bicycle-only Campground.

Milepost 327, Colbert Ferry Bicycle-only Campground.

Milepost 385.9, Meriwether Lewis Campground for bicyclists, tenters, and RVs. See detailed map on front side of the brochure.

MIlepost 408, Tennessee Highway 50 Bicycle-only Campground.

Welcome to the Tennessee portion of the Parkway that stretches from milepost 444, at the northern terminus which leads to highway 100, which takes you to the greater Nashville area to milepost 341.8, which is right past a preserved portion of sunken trace at milepost 350. Birdsong Hollow starts your journey and is a double arched bridge over Tennessee Highway 96. It won the 1995 Presidential Award for Design Excellence.

You can find restrooms (all wheelchair accessible) going south at Garrison Creek, which is milepost 427.6, the Meriwether Lewis site at milepost 385.9 and Glenrock Branch at milepost 364.5.

Detailed descriptions of highlights to stop at along the way are found on the front side of the brochure.

This area of parkway is famous for waterfalls, a major historic site and old trace areas. A popular waterfall hike is located in this portion of the Parkway at milepost 404.7, which is a steep hike to Jackson Falls.

A notable historic site is the Meriwether Lewis site at milepost 385.9. Trails are found here of the Old Trace, and this is where you will find one of three of our campgrounds. The great explorer Meriwether Lewis died here and there is a monument in his honor. There is also a visitor center here that is staffed intermittently.

Adjacent, as well as intersecting the Parkway are two portions of the Trail of Tears. These intersecting portions of the Trail of Tears are the Benge Route, which intersects the Parkway a few miles north of milepost 400, and the Bell Route, which crosses the Parkway at milepost 370. This area of parkway is famous for waterfalls, a major historic site and old trace areas. A popular waterfall hike is located in this portion of the Parkway at milepost 404.7, which is a steep hike to Jackson Falls.

Adjacent, as well as intersecting the Parkway are two portions of the Trail of Tears. These intersecting portions of the Trail of Tears are the Benge Route, which intersects the Parkway a few miles north of milepost 400, and the Bell Route, which crosses the Parkway at milepost 370.

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DESCRIBING: The portion of the map that contains Alabama. Alabama enters the map on the right or east side and extends west. To the north is Tennessee, and to the south is Mississippi, creating a triangular shaped polygon for this portion of Alabama represented in the map. 

SYNOPSIS: The parkway enters Alabama in the north and travels south. Traveling south on the parkway from the border with Tennessee is the recreation stop State Line, which is on the state border. Traveling south you reach mile post 340. As you continue south, the parkway crosses over the Drane Route of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. Continuing south the parkway crosses the Tennessee River, which is also at the Water Route of the Trail of Tears. 

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: On the south side of the river, on the parkway, is the main recreation area Colbert Ferry. Continuing south on the parkway crosses US Highway 72 and then mile post 320. As you continue south you will reach mile post 310 before the parkway exits Alabama and into Mississippi. 

US Highway 72 enters the map from the east, south of the Tennessee River, and travels west. It intersects with the parkway and exits Alabama into Mississippi. Traveling east on US Highway 72 would take you to Decatur. 

In the north section of Alabama is Wilson Lake which contains the Water Route of the Trail of Tears, which extends west along the Tennessee River, intersects with the parkway and exits the state of Alabama. The Deas-Whiteley Route of the Trail of Tears mirrors US Highway 72 and then departs the highway to the north, where it intersects with the Water Route on the Tennessee River and continues west. 

DESCRIBING: The upper Mississippi map portion of Natchez Trace Parkway Milepost 308.9-140.

SYNOPSIS:  A long green road on a tan map background depicting the Natchez Trace Parkway as it carves through North Mississippi. 

IN-DEPTH: The North Mississippi section of the Natchez Trace Parkway is celebrated for its scenic vistas, historical landmarks, and outdoor activities. Travelers can immerse themselves in the area's natural beauty, while exploring significant historical sites and enjoying hiking, biking, and picnicking opportunities. The Natchez Trace Parkway enters Mississippi on the upper Northeast side of the state. As the parkway comes across Mississippi there is Bay Springs Lake on the North side of the parkway at milepost 293.  The parkway jaggedly runs Southwest towards Tupelo, Mississippi intersecting with Highway 78 also known as Interstate 22. The parkway continues Southwest through Tombigbee National Forest from milepost 247 until milepost 232. The Map continues south until you reach Jeff Busby at milepost 193.1, also known as little mountain. The parkway continues south and runs through multiple stops and towns. Such as French Camp at milepost 180 and Kosciusko at milepost 160. This section of the parkway ends at Red Dog Road, named after the Choctaw Chief, at Milepost 140. Detailed descriptions of highlights to stop at along the way are found on the front side of the brochure. 

You can find wheelchair accessible restrooms at Pharr Mounds (milepost 286.7), the Parkway Visitor Center (milepost 266.6), Witch Dance (milepost 233.2), Jeff Busby (milepost 193.1), and Holly Hill (milepost 154.3)

DESCRIBING:. A map of Natchez Trace Parkway from milepost 0 in Natchez, Mississippi to milepost 140 near Carthage, Mississippi.

SYNOPSIS:. Natchez Trace Parkway runs 444 miles from Natchez, Mississippi northeast across the northwest corner of Alabama to central Tennessee. The topography of Mississippi is very flat, so there is no significant elevation gain in this portion of the map.

IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION:. This section of the map starts in Natchez, Mississippi on the edge of the Mississippi River. Highway 61 runs a similar direction to Natchez Trace Parkway from Natchez, Mississippi to Port Gibson, Mississippi. A few major interstate highways cross Natchez Trace Parkway in Jackson, Mississippi and Ridgeland, Mississippi. This is the southernmost portion of Natchez Trace Parkway.