Our natchez trace tour offers the best of the antebellum south traditional hospitality, early american history, and distinctive architecture. Part of the reason she suggested it was because it goes through mississippi, alabama, and tennessee, which would get her down to missing just alaska in her quest to visit all 50 states. Check the boxes by the category types you want to filter. Natchez trace state park could possibly be the mecca of tennessee camping grounds. The natchez trace compelling history and scenic cycling merge seamlessly on this laidback reel through the natchez trace trail. I mentioned this in my recent post about biking the silver comet and chief ladiga trails last month.
In october 2015 my wife and our teenage son biked the natchez trace from nashville to natchez over a period of 12 days. The north end has a lot more hills than the south, but none of them are very hard. The natchez trace has been designated as one of the top 10 u. Jan 21, 2016 bicycle tour of the natchez trace day 1. Discover history in motion with 70 miles of trail and 444 miles of paved parkway part of the broader natchez trace area distance.
A national scenic byway and allamerican road nps photo when it comes to cycling, the natchez trace parkway is your ticket to ride. Best books about the natchez trace parkway the natchez trace. Im following up by posting here our travel log from the natchez trace ride. The natchez trace parkway bicycle route spans 444 miles between natchez, mississippi and nashville, tennessee. The roads are in fabulous condition and only the northern end has any hills to speak of. Bicycling the natchez trace a guide to the natchez trace parkway and nearby scenic routes by glen wanner this is the guide that you need for biking the trace. Natchez trace state park is located on an alternate route of the old natchez trace. At home, she uses the tablet as an ebook reader, having finally given up mostly reading paperbased books, but this is the first trip shes tried. Touring the natchez trace by bicycle day 1 youtube.
Travel along the scenic natchez trace parkway from ridgeland to natchez, a southern jewel of a town. The natchez trace is great for a day ride or a multiday excursion. Local outfitters are set up just to rent to and support bicyclists. Natchez trace multiuse trail ridgeland 2020 all you. The natchez trace tour offers the best of the antebellum south traditional hospitality, early american history and distinctive architecture. There are no traffic lights or billboards its beautiful. Here are some tips for bicycling on the natchez trace parkway.
Classic adventures enjoys the distinction of being the original. This book provides a detailed description of the trace and offers valuable helpful hints for bicycling the trace. Six days on the natchez trace parkway, by paul nace. This is the downhill direction with all the tough climbs at the beginning. Ten things you need to know about bicycling the parkway.
Cycling the natchez trace part 1 jennifer and zachs. From familyfriendly, sightseeing urban rides to epic adventures off the beaten track. Natchez trace parkway headquarters visitors center milepost 266. This national scenic byway is perfectly suited for cycling and one of the finest twowheel experiences you will ever encounter. For questions regarding bicycling the natchez trace parkway call the parkway visitor center at 8003057417.
A trip on the natchez trace parkway is enjoyable anytime of the year. I studied the roadside border marker for a minute, and then turned my attention north to the. This route of the old trace is on the opposite side of the tennessee river from the natchez trace parkway. Natchez trace project rediscovering the ancient trail. Pleasant and easy drive we drove some of the natchez state. Want to get out on a fantastic bike tour but have a limited budget. The natchez trace parkway is a sinuous, twolane parkway, haunted by ghost towns and the graves of confederate soldiers yet graced by abundant wildlife and natural beauty. Located right by the namesakes memorial and gravesite, you can salute the explorer who channeled these nearby waters so many years ago. Classic adventures offers north american and european bike and walking tours. Interactive map natchez trace parkway trip planner. May 02, 2016 rode my bike down the natchez trace parkway from nashville,tn to natchez, ms. The natchez trace parkway is 715 km or 445 miles from natchez mississippi to just south of nashville tennessee. Cycling the natchez trace part 1 jennifer and zachs adventures. The natchez trace parkway is a 444 mile 715 km national park bicycle route that espn calls one of the ten best biking roads in america.
Youll visit historic sites, enjoy scenic backroad riding, and get a taste of the deep south. Natchez trace bike tour classic adventures bicycling. Cycling the natchez trace parkway nps photo some are individualists who want to travel light, and alone, and prefer to camp under the stars. The natchez trace multiuse trail, officially called the chisha foka multiuse trail, is a 10 mile walkingrunning biking trail that meanders along the natchez trace parkway for a distance of about 10 miles, starting from north to south at mile 105. How to cycle tour the natchez trace parkway happiest. Natchez trace cycling works with the national park service and adventure cycling association to study and improve safety conditions on the parkway. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround.
Biking the natchez trace is a cyclists dream come true, and why we do it four times a year. Natchez trace drive this is one of the most beautiful parkways you will ever travel on. Youll delve into the old south and antebellum past as you tour storied civil war battlefields with a local historian and set your own pace on a pilgrimage through historic homes and gardens. Click the pin points on the map to see details the. Randy fought, who runs the natchez trace bed and breakfast reservation service, can help arrange itineraries and book accommodations along the. Explore our handy interactive map to see all there is to discover on the scenic natchez trace parkway. Magnolia trees and mossdraped oaks add a charming flavor to quiet country roads. The best books available on the topic of the natchez trace parkway including its history, recent pictures, biking tips, and recommendations for sightseeing. Mar 28, 2019 the natchez trace parkway is a 444 mile 715 km national park bicycle route that espn calls one of the ten best biking roads in america. If you love riding a bike in nature and discovering historical gems, a good oldfashioned trip along the natchez trace parkway is a must.
Should you choose to ride the entire route all the way down to mississippi, there are plenty of bicycleonly campgrounds, convenient places for service and maintenance stops, clear directions, and restrooms every 15 to 20 miles. I sat on my bicycle beside the natchez trace parkway, physically exhausted and emotionally overwrought. Lynne bachleda is an excellent resource both for planning and enjoying your trip. The worlds leading travel guide publisher discover 200 of the best places to ride a bike in this beautifully illustrated paperback. The interaction with traffic along the trace is the best you can ever hope for and the country you ride through is beautiful and fascinating. Having traveled widely in all 50 states and many countries, and having read countless guidebooks, i can say that this one is definitely better than most. How to spend the best day along the natchez trace parkway. See more ideas about natchez trace, bicycle and bike. Natchez trace parkway for the blueblooded american in you, meriwether lewis campground is the way to go. The natchez trace was a path of least resistance back to nashville after floating barges down to natchez from the north. The wind will be harder from the south as the summer comes on.
We started today at mile marker 42 at the sunken trace and were able to walk down into the old trace that soldiers walked in years ago. Drive or bike through more than 10,000 years of history and explore our gorgeous state on a jawdropping, scenic road. Natchez trace parkway tupelo 2020 all you need to know. The natchez trace is a great shoulder season bike tour for many its too hot in the summer and, despite being in the south, too cold in the winter. We have several hallmark tours, including our natchez trace bike tour, our greece bike tour, and our crete bike tour. Visit our interactive map to start exploring attractions, lodging, and restaurants. Natchez trace parkway southbound from nashville, tn to nachez, ms. This visitors center is the quintessential place to stop for all things related to the trace. Today friday, june 6, 2014 is the last day for us to ride the natchez trace, and we will complete our weeklong cycling trek of the trace from end to end nashville to natchez. However, there are no shoulders or designated bike lanes. My first real bike tour and a great learning experience 480 miles 772 km over 7 days from april 18, 2003 to april 24, 2003. He traveled the 450 miles of the natchez trace through tennessee, alabama, and mississippi proclaiming during his late summer journey that the trace was a vile country, destitute of springs and of running waterthink of drinking the nasty puddlewater, covered with green scum, and full of animalculaebah.
Want to get your children excited about taking a trip on the natchez trace. Epic bike rides of the world by lonely planet, paperback. Others may want to enjoy the comfort and charm of a bed and breakfast at night and then, of course, the delicious homecooked breakfast the following morning. How to cycle tour the natchez trace parkway happiest outdoors. Bicycling the natchez trace a guide to the natchez trace parkway and nearby scenic routes by glen wanner this is the guide that you need for biking the. All bicyclists agree, pedaling out to cycle the scenic natchez trace parkway offers an easygoing, easytolove experience. For questions regarding bicycling the natchez trace parkway call the parkway visitor. Do you want to explore the wonders of mississippi in a unique way. Numerous signs instruct cars to share the road with bicycles. This historic, 444mile scenic parkway links natchez with nashville and crosses some of the most beautiful terrain in the states of mississippi. The distances are modest and although there are a few days where the mileage may seem overwhelming, the support van is always there to provide a lift. Although the scenery changes with the seasons, the stories of the wildlife, american indians, kaintucks, white settlers, enslaved persons, and all who traveled the old trace have been told for hundreds of years.
In fact, the entire length of the natchez trace parkway is designated as a bicycle tour route. Best books about the natchez trace parkway the natchez. Sep 19, 2016 natchez trace parkway headquarters visitors center milepost 266. Biking the natchez trace is a cyclists dream come true.
Natchez to rocky springs this is just a little video highlighting points on our bike trip june 20 27 2015. Bring the horse, bike, and hiking boots to take on the many trails, go for a fish at one or all. Should you choose to ride the entire route all the way down to mississippi, there are plenty of bicycleonly campgrounds, convenient places for service and maintenance stops. The goal is to make a visit to the park a safe and enjoyable experience for motorists, cyclists, hikers, and every other visitor. Natchez trace bicycle tour cycle of life adventures. Tips for biking the natchez trace parkway the natchez. Lizard head cycling guides now offers a new service on select bike tours where we will move your gear from one point to another while you enjoy riding on a semi selfguided bike tour between those points. The name originally applied to a series of trails and paths that originated with animal migration routes and american indian trade and travel routes. Motorcycle riding along the natchez trace parkway rider. This historic, 444mile scenic parkway links natchez with nashville and crosses some of the most. To determine if a permit is required for a planned trip please see the special use permit page. Top 10 reasons to bicycle the natchez trace parkway. Bike at tishomingo state park campground along the natchez trace.
This is a video of some of the footage i took along the way with a point and shoot. Here, youll find everything you ever wanted to know about the parkway, including a bookstore, nature center, informational video, knowledgeable park rangers and a hiking trail that will take you to a nearby chickasaw village site on. Rode my bike down the natchez trace parkway from nashville,tn to natchez, ms. Jun 07, 20 the natchez trace parkway is a sinuous, twolane parkway, haunted by ghost towns and the graves of confederate soldiers yet graced by abundant wildlife and natural beauty. National park service designates the entire parkway as a bike route. With highs from 6070f 1520c and lows of 5060f 1015c, april, may, september and october would be premium months to give it a go. The natchez trace trail follows the footsteps of some of earliest inhabitants of north america.
Sep 10, 2015 randy fought, who runs the natchez trace bed and breakfast reservation service, can help arrange itineraries and book accommodations along the 444mile route. Special note book arriving flight to nashville, tn and returning flights from jackson, ms. Oct 15, 2016 the past few years, zach and jennifer have taken a bike trip in the fall, and this year, jennifer suggested that we bicycle the natchez trace parkway. The people who lived near the route of the old natchez road. Natchez trace bike tour lizard head cycling guides. Email us and specify bike packet or call 6626804027. Magnolia trees and mossdraped oaks add a charming flavor to quiet cycling on country roads. Biking the natchez trace a look back to our october 2015. The national park service has designated the entire 444 miles as a bicycle route, where bicyclists can relax and enjoy an exceptionally.