Tips For Out Of Towners Planning A Trip To The Natchez Trace Parkway
Leo dropped us an email the other day...
Hi, we are first time visitors in the Southern States of the US. We are planning a trip from NYC to Miami, visiting the Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Pwy. On our way to Jackson/New Orleans we planned to stay in Tupelo overnight and driving down the NTP. We will be there mid-September. Will the leaves be changing colors then? Or is this too early? Do you have some tips which are a must cruising down the NTP? Thank you
-- Leo from the Netherlands
My answer below...
September is a tad bit early for viewing colorful leaves around here. You might catch a few brilliantly colored leaves here & there, but not many.
For example, here's how things looked in mid-October last year.
But there are still plenty of fun sights to see along the Natchez Trace Parkway during that time of year!
Your First Time On The Natchez Trace Parkway...
First, check out these basics for enjoying a daytrip on the NTP. And be sure to contact the National Park Service weeks before your trip and they'll send you a packet of information including a map of the Parkway, a list of campgrounds, stores & service areas, and more. (Their number is: 662-680-4027.)
No matter which part of the Trace you happen to be on at any given point in time, the bridges and the twists & turns in the roadway itself are often captivating in and of themselves. Especially this award-winning bridge found at the northern end of the Parkway. You can even park there and walk across this amazing bridge! (Or, walk behind the bridge and take some incredible photographs from a unique vantage point.)
If you're going to stop for a hike, you can enjoy a short and relatively effortless walk through the woods and along the streams found on the Trace. Most of the waterfalls are also just a short hop, skip & jump away from the parking areas. Or, our personal favorite for a longer, more strenuous hike is the Old Trace Hiking Trail found at milemarker 426.3.
We live on the northern end, so my favorite things to see & do on the Natchez Trace Parkway tend to be between Columbia and Nashville.
One of my favorite reviews of the Natchez Trace Parkway is Gypsy Journal's summary of their RV trip on the NTP. It's loaded with fun stops and general info.
Well, I hope you enjoy your trip to the States, Leo. I'm sure you will have a great time on the Parkway -- no matter what you decide to see & do while you're there.
Just remember...get food & gas when you can (there are no stores or gas stations on the Parkway, so you have to drive a few miles to get to them), stop for a restroom break whenever you see public restrooms ahead (there are only a few on the Parkway itself), and don't speed on the Natchez Trace Parkway!
I can tell you that from milepost 115, you are about 7 miles from the historic courthouse square of Canton, MS. There is food, gas, and a bed and breakfast called Hearts Content.
Hi Leo,
As much time as we spend outdoors here in Middle Tennessee, I have to say we've RARELY seen a snake, and I don't know if we've ever gotten a bad case of Poison Ivy.
Most of the snakes we've seen have been dead on the roadways (including on the Natchez Trace Parkway). Can't say that we've ever come across one in person yet.
While we've probably brushed up against poison ivy several times, either the rash wasn't bad enough to seek treatment, or it wasn't poison ivy after all.
--> Here's what you need to know about poison ivy in Tennessee (including photos, so you'll know the difference between Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac). The secret: "leaves of 3 means leave it be".
--> And here's what you need to know about snakes in Tennessee. In brief: there are only 4 venomous ones -- vipers.
Worse than snakes or poison ivy in my opinion are TICKS! Those are the little buggers you should really be watching out for. On hikes (especially on the Natchez Trace Parkway), they're nearly impossible to avoid, but if you spray before you go, then you'll be fine.
Thank you for the great info. I have one more question though. I read about to be carefull for snakes and poison ive etc.
How serious is this? Is there a dangour, walking the hikingtrails, or stopping in rest area's?
Thank you again, Leo from the Netherlands.
We are planning a trip this summer on the Natchez Trail and were hoping to get some info - possibly an itinerary of some sort. We are going to trailer our bikes down from OHIO in July and would like some
sights to see, place to sleep, places to eat, and any other good stuff that someone might have. Thanks Rob E from OHIO