Natchez Trace Parkway

Drive through 10,000 years of history, on a 444-mile recreational road through three states, following one of the most significant travel routes of the Old Southwest.

From prehistoric American Indian mounds to 19th century historic stands, the Natchez Trace Parkway takes you on a scenic journey through 10,000 years of history. The 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway commemorates the “Old Natchez Trace” that connected portions of the Mississippi River to salt licks in central Tennessee. Today, visitors can enjoy not only a scenic drive but also hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the parkway.

People have been using the Natchez Trace for thousands of years — from the prehistoric American Indians and Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Natchez who called the area home for part of the year to the boatmen who floated supplies down to ports in Natchez and New Orleans at the beginning of the 19th century, known as “Kaintucks.” A road home, a path of exploration, and a link to the growing population of the Old Southwest, Natchez Trace Parkway still serves as a connection between population centers, allowing modern travelers to explore and discover the history and culture of earlier generations.