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...

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.

I'm often asked questions like, "How much bike traffic is there on the Trace?"

And when it comes to motorcycles, cars, trucks & RV's... "How many people drive on the Natchez Trace Parkway anyway?"

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).

Motorcycles... and bicycles... and cars... oh my!

Truth is, those are only some of the vehicles you'll find sharing the road on the Natchez Trace Parkway...

While there are a fair amount of walking and hiking trails along the Natchez Trace Parkway (especially near the rest stops and tourist facilities)...

The fact of the matter is, you will find many people walking on the roadway itself -- especially around the big expansion bridge over Highway 96 in Franklin, TN.

Why?

Because walking the Trace is a great way to get some exercise and see some of the most beautiful countryside in America!

There are no commercial vehicles are allowed on the parkway. In fact, violation is a federal offense!

The maximum speed limit on the Trace is 50 mph most of the way.

As the exception, rather than the rule, the speed limit dips down to 40 mph at the northernmost tip (from Leiper's Fork at milepost 427 to the Natchez Trace Bridge near milepost 444).

Jim and I have driven the entire length of the Natchez Trace Parkway -- from Tupelo Mississippi to Nashville Tennessee -- several times. (We have a friend who lives in Starkeville, Mississippi... enough said.)

In total, the Natchez Trace Parkway covers 101 miles in the state of Tennessee, and passes through 7 Tennessee counties: Davidson, Williamson, Maury, Hickman, Lewis, Lawrence, and Wayne (from north to south, respectively). It spans from mileposts 341 to 444.

Plus, I've biked the northernmost end of the Trace more times than I can count. Mostly I ride from the Garrison Creek parking area just past the Leiper's Fork exit (Hwy 46) -- all the way to the very end of the Parkway at Highway 100 in Nashville (near the Lovelace Cafe).

That's my favorite out & back biking route along the Natchez Trace -- roughly, from mileposts 427 to 440.

Did you know?... The Natchez Trace Parkway is rated one of the Top 10 Biking Routes in the country!

Mostly, these days we like to hop in the Jeep and ride. We turn around whenever the mood strikes us. And we stop & see whatever we feel like stopping and seeing. It's such a relaxing and leisurely drive.

Here are my tips if you want to see the Natchez Trace, but you only have a very short time to do so...