Was established as part of the National Park System in 1938, and officially completed in 2005. The parkway stretches 444 miles through three states and 10,000 years of history. Begins in Natchez, MS and ending in Nashville, TN. While staying in Red Bay, AL, we were just a few miles from the Alabama portion of the NTP.
Took one day trip on the NTP, picking it up near the Tennessee River in Alabama and drove to Tupelo, MS. The next trip was when we left Red Bay (finally). Picked up the NTP just north of Red Bay, AL and traveled to Jackson, MS. The day trip was in the car and therefore we stopped several times. The last trip was via motor home, so although we could have stopped along the way, we didn’t. There are many stopping points with hiking trails and historic sites to be explored.
Even though the traffic was minimal, driving NTP requires one to pay attention. There are no shoulders to speak of, is only a two lane road with many curves, as well as areas needing road repair, and wildlife can be an issue. At this time of the year there was little wildlife to see. Oh yes, the speed limit is only 50 MPH, dropping to 40 MPH when you near towns. Contemplated driving the additional 85+ miles to Natchez, MS, but decided to turn the ‘beast’ westward, via I-20, at Jackson, MS.
Below are just a few of the photographs taken along the NTP.
The Map that shows all the interesting points along the way. We stopped at the Parkway Visitor Center and Headquarters near Tupelo on our first trek on the NTP.
Two photo abstracts of trees while traveling the NTP. It was a photo club assignment.
No traffic along the Trace. Pharr Mounds - Large area with 8 burial mounds built 1800-2000 years ago. You can only see 3 here…one on right in foreground and two on left in front of distant tree line.
Pharr Mounds picnic area. Wanted a photo showing how large the tree was and Elwyn was in the right place. Also the woods near there that seemed inviting exploration. No I didn’t wander in.
A Chickasaw Village Site with interpretive signage. The little dot (center rt.) in front of the distant tree line is a car traveling the NTP.
The following photos were taken after we left Red Bay and as you can see, the driver is paying close attention to the roadway!
One of the few overpasses along the NTP. View of the Ross R. Barnett Reservoir as you near Jackson, MS. Is a very large lake and was a pleasant surprise.
As you can tell, one could spent 4-5 days on the Natchez Trace Parkway exploring it thoroughly. The Trace is a natural travel corridor that dates back many centuries. It bisected traditional homelands of the Natchez, Chickasaw & Choctaw nations. In the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, growing numbers of travelers tramped the rough trail into a clearly marked path. In 1801 President Thomas Jefferson designated the Trace as a national post road for mail delivery. Could go on…but as you can tell…there is a lot to discover and learn.
Should we get back this way, we would like to visit the Meriwether Lewis Monument & Gravesite at milepost 385.9. He died here in 1809. That site is on the Tennessee portion of the parkway.
See you on the road….
E & J
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