Who & What You Will See On The Natchez Trace

What You Will See...

There are no stoplights.

No billboards either.

Just rustic, wooden signs to point you in the right direction.

And you won't find any food outlets, restaurants, stores or gas stations along the entire route.

Good News: You will find all of the "normal stuff" once you leave the Trace via an exit ramp, because you'll end up in one of the many tiny towns that line the entire Natchez Trace Parkway.

Exits themselves, however, are few-and-far-between.

Which is why you'll want to have one of these maps (they're available for free at many of the restroom areas & tourist sites)... and pay close attention to the mile markers which line the roadway!

Here's what the milemarkers look like:

Few People, And A Slower Pace

The only people you'll see along the way are long-distance bicyclists (remember to share the road), fellow leisure drivers (on motorcycles, in cars, SUVs and RVs), and those travelers who stop to photograph the sites, picnic at roadside pull-offs or explore the nature trails.

Points Of Interest

Along the way, you will find a number of pull-offs, indicated by half-mile warning signs that let you know whether the spot ahead is a historic/sightseeing landmark, a horseback riding or hiking trailhead, or a segment of the original Natchez Trace roadway that has been preserved.

You will also find plenty of picnic areas (not all are viewable from the roadside). On the other hand, you won't find nearly as many public restrooms as you might like. In fact, bathrooms and drinking fountains are few and far between along the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Several picturesque waterfalls can be found along the parkway. To view them, you must walk a short distance from the roadside pull-off. Don't fret it... it's always worth it in the end!

Natchez Trace Parkway: The Long And Winding Road

Wildlife Galore

Whitetail deer are found everywhere along the parkway, as are wild turkeys.

In fact, deer and turkey are often spotted in very large groups along the roadside and even crossing the road. Be on the alert for them, as they can necessitate a sudden stop on the roadway.
(Think I'm kidding???)

Also, whenever you are walking along the Trace or hiking on one of the many hiking trails, you should also keep an eye out for copperhead snakes, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes which are native to the area.

There Isn't A More Scenic Drive... Anywhere!

The wildlife... the beauty of nature... the lack of traffic... A trip along the Natchez Trace is certainly one of the most relaxing drives in the United States!

You can travel it several times and find something new to admire every time.

To some, the long ride at a fairly slow pace (50 mph and below) may seem tedious and boring. To others, it's the chance of a lifetime to escape all of the hustle and bustle when you're driving in your car.

One thing's for sure: To avoid fatigue, make sure that you stop often and take short walks. There are plenty of spots to pull off along the entire route.

Enjoy!