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Natchez Trace Parkway

Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee

A peaceful 444-mile drive from Mississippi to Nashville, along an ancient trail used by Native Americans and frontier boatmen.

Photo: Author:Brent Moore · CC BY 2.0

The Natchez Trace Parkway follows a historic forest corridor between Natchez, Mississippi, and Nashville, Tennessee. Commercial trucks are banned and the speed limit is low, so it's a favorite for cyclists and quiet road trips.

Stops include Indian mounds, old inns and the place where Meriwether Lewis died in 1809.

Best Time
April to May and October
Time Needed
2–3 days
Cost Level
$$$$
Open
Year-round
Getting There
Start in Natchez, Mississippi, or just southwest of Nashville.

What to See

4 of 4 are free
Free20 minutes

Double Arch Bridge

An award-winning concrete arch high above a valley at the Tennessee end.

Free45 minutes

Emerald Mound

One of the largest Native American mounds in the US, near Natchez.

Free30 minutes

Meriwether Lewis Monument

The explorer's grave, at the spot where he died on the Trace.

FreeA day

Natchez

The start of the drive, a Mississippi River town known for its antebellum mansions.

Know Before You Go

  • The speed limit is 50 mph and there are no services on the road.
  • Watch for deer and cyclists.
  • It's free, with no entrance stations.

Where to Stay

Stay in Natchez, Tupelo or Franklin, Tennessee.

Where to Eat

Our picks are on the way.

Editor's picks. Nobody paid to be on this list.

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Last checked 2026-11-01. Part of the Southeast list.