Natchez Trace START
4.6(52)google
Road TripOutdoorFreeHistoryNature
Overview
The Natchez Trace, also known as the Old Natchez Trace, is a historic forest trail within the Southeastern United States which extends roughly 440 miles (710 km) from Nashville, Tennessee, to Natchez, Mississippi, linking the Cumberland, Tennessee, and Mississippi rivers. Native Americans created and used the trail for centuries. Early European and American explorers, traders, and immigrants used it in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Practical Info
MonOpen 24 hours
TueOpen 24 hours
WedOpen 24 hours
ThuOpen 24 hours
FriOpen 24 hours
SatOpen 24 hours
SunOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration0.5-1 hour
Best TimeGreat year-round, but the definitive hour of day is evening from 5:30 PM to sunset. Positioned right on the edge of the scenic river bluffs in downtown Natchez, this historical marker parkway terminal captures spectacular golden hour lighting over the Mississippi River currents and the signature bridges.
Getting ThereLocated at the junction of North Canal Street and Liberty Street in downtown Natchez. Drive straight to Broadway Street along the bluff rim; the historic marker area is fully open to the public and features hundreds of free, unmetered angled street parking spots immediately bordering the historic greenway.
Travel Tips
- The official southern Terminus Milepost 0 sits at the junction of Liberty Rd and Catherine St; lane signage is highly compressed, requiring early deceleration to merge into the starting lane.
- The historical marker pullout is exceptionally narrow, built solely for standard cars; RVs or towed configurations over 25 feet cannot park here without illegally obstructing the driving lanes.
Photo Tips
Best LightThe southern terminus links directly into local commuter arteries; heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic jams the junction during morning and evening rush hours, complicating roadside photo stops.
Reviews
Positive
- As the southern terminus of the famous 444-mile parkway, the markers and signs live up to their reputation for road-trip historical value.
- Right by the scenic Mississippi River bluff edge, driving in opens wide vistas; sunset river views maximize visual impact—perfect for photos.
- Completely free to access with highly convenient roadside parking; nearby public benches offer self-drive tourists a perfect pre-trip rest stop.
- The environment is peaceful and serene, away from commercial noise; crowds stay low with good order, yielding a pure pristine departure vibe.
Heads up
- It is essentially just a highway intersection starting terminus with signs and markers, lacking a standalone museum or fun features.
- The starting terminus lacks dedicated public restrooms or large trash cans; travelers need to drive back to downtown Natchez for facilities.
- Multilingual introductory text or signs are virtually vacuumed (pure English), making its deep history tough for non-English foreign guests.
- Located at a busy intersection outside town, speeding trucks occasionally pass by; the spot lacks safety railings or clear pedestrian tracks.