Drive The Natchez Trace

We did it two years ago in August and the heat wasn't too bad once you were out of downtown Nashville. I agree that the northern half was better. Nothing wrong with the sites in the southern half, just fewer and further apart.

We drove the opposite direction, up through B'ham to Nashville and then drove the Trace home. We picked up a guide/booklet at the Nashville Visitor center that listed all the sites along the way. If your into music, you have everything in Nashville and then Muscle Shoals and Tupelo along the Trace.

Listen very closely DO NOT SPEED!! 50 miles per hour for most of the trip. Some sections are 40 mph.
but slowly. I've done it in a car and on a motorcycle. Beautiful but boring after an hour or so.

Did it years ago and thought it was a great drive. But as others have noted, the speed limit is low. So the trip takes a long time. But worth it IMO.

quote:

---

Listen very closely DO NOT SPEED!! 50 miles per hour for most of the trip. Some sections are 40 mph.? 

---

Best thing was Christmas timw before last, when all the National Parks were shut down because of the budget standoff, we drove the northern half and there were no NPS cops. We drove it 70-80 mph.

It's great if you have a convertible, or motorcycle and just want a relaxing afternoon drive in nature. There's a pretty nice overlook on the Ross Barnett reservoir in Madison County. But the drive from Jackson to Natchez is prettier than the drive from Jackson to Kosciusko or French Camp areas in the opposite direction.

If you have time pick up a map at the visitor center that identify all the historic markers. Stop at them when you can, interesting stuff you might not see driving by. Make sure to drive into the Meriwether Lewis Monument area. It’s where he died and is buried.

We hit the buffet at the Old Country Store in Lorman, just north of Natchez. Decent lunch. Okra and tomatoes was excellent. Then drove about 6 miles to Alcon State University to cruise around campus.

I like to visit colleges for some reason. Was neat to see the little stadium where Air McNair made his name. They have a gas station on campus, I guess because it’s so far from anywhere else.

While the Blue Ridge is more of a scenic route the Natchez Trace is more of a Historic Route. Lots of history along the way that most people don't appreciate just driving through. The road is narrower than most highways and they have limited shoulders so don't get carried away with speed.

Others have mentioned Tishomingo, and it is pretty nice so I will focus on other areas.

1. I would check out French Camp and eat at the Restaurant.
2. Jeff Busby is a neat stop and there is a spring right off the trail on the top of the mountain that I always used to refill my water bottle.
3. Colbert's Ferry is one of my favorite areas. There is a bike campground there, but they do not really advertise it. There is also an abandoned road that goes under the trace that takes you to an old unused parking lot. It's an easy walk if you want to stretch your legs. If you go down to the Tennessee River, pay attention to the area on the left just before you reach the bridge where the creek flows into the cove. You can see where rocks have washed in. If you walk up it you will find some really cool rock cliffs where the soil eroded away from a drainage outlet. Really a cool area to check out.

4. A few miles past the river on the right is the Rocky Springs pulloff. There are some short trails down to a beaver pond. You will be early for it, but the pond is covered with touch-me-nots and during the fall hummingbird migration they can be in there by the thousands.
5. You most definitely want to check out Mr. Hendrix Wall. Good Article This is not an official stop for the Parkway but the property joins it. It is the largest man made structure for a female made in the USA. Really a cool spot and really a cool area that is worth reading up on. Unfortunately Mr. Hendrix passed away a few years ago.
6 Meriwether Lewis - Others have mentioned it but it's a cool areas as well. It also has one of the best free campgrounds I have ever stayed at.
7. She Boss - Not much to it, but near MP 400 there is a pulloff named after an old stand run by a native american (actually they were all run by native americans). It got it's name because anything a guest would walk up to the husband asking how much for the stay he would point to his wife and say She-Boss.
8. I would check out every stop from there on. Some cool waterfalls, overlooks, the double arch bridge, State Parks, etc. The speed limit will drop to 40 past here so give yourself plenty of time. Right at the termination of the parkway is the Loveless Cafe. You have to make sure you stop in.

Only other thing I would say is that I would try to check out the Muscle Shoals Documentary before the trip. It will have some information on Mr. Hendrix Wall, but it will also provide more of a setting for that area of the world. Enjoy your trip.

quote:

---

Listen very closely DO NOT SPEED!! 50 miles per hour for most of the trip.

---

And the tickets are expensive! It's a federal cop that pulls you over. I sped the whole way but used a radar detector and rabbits. They shoot KA band FYI. Beautiful trip though.