Geocaching is something that Jim and I have dabbled in a bit. We live near the Natchez Trace Parkway (in Tennessee), and have found a couple of hidden caches around there, and we plan to hide a few near there as well.

Apparently there is some controversy as to whether or not caches can be placed on property within the Natchez Trace Parkway or not. Technically, state parks are fair game, and are NOT off limits for geocaching. Whereas, national parks are, in fact, OFF LIMITS for geocaching.

That said, according to Pater47:

Yes, the Natchez Trace Parkway is indeed a National Park and is officially off-limits. That being said, there are a few along the trace within park bounds and many more just outside park bounds.

And seconded by Mtn-Man:

This is correct. Officially, they are not allowed there unless you get permission. In some areas, they will allow them.

In case you were wondering...

Ever wonder what it's like to hike on the Old Trace? (That historic stretch of roadway that today is merely a worn down foot and horse path in the few places that remain.)

Here are highlights, plus photos, of our favorite place to hike on the Natchez Trace Parkway: The Old Trace at milemarker 426.3.

For what it's worth, Milemarker 444 on the Natchez Trace Parkway doesn't exist.

I'm not talking about the fact that there is no milepost to mark the location. I'm referring to the fact that there simply isn't enough roadway to accommodate 444 miles on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

The official map for the parkway says this:

However, I've traveled the Parkway from start to finish several times. And no matter how I count it, there's no way to reach the 444th milemarker on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

I already wrote about my favorite roadtrip to take on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

My second favorite stretch of roadway along the Natchez Trace Parkway is the part that goes from Highway 96 in Franklin to just past Highway 46 exit in Leiper's Fork -- heading South.

A popular turnaround spot is the Garrison Creek rest area, about a mile past the Leiper's Fork exit.

The Natchez Trace Parkway map is nice, but it doesn't show all of the stops along the way. It only shows the largest and most pertinent ones -- in the eyes of the National Park Service.

I thought I'd share with you some of the "hidden gems" that can be found along the Trace, most of which are not included on the official map.

The following Natchez Trace Parkway sightseeing locations are numbered in order, as if you're entering the Trace at Highway 100 (Nashville/Bellevue, TN), then heading north and exiting at Highway 96 (Franklin, TN). This route spans just over 5 miles (one way).

Looks like they'll soon be adding something new to the Natchez Trace Parkway maps.

At milemarker 437, they've just started construction for an access ramp that will connect a new park (in Williamson County Tennessee) that is adjacent to the Natchez Trace Parkway near Highway 96.