Natchez Trace Parkway
Designation: Parkway
Location: Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee
📘 Park Overview
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive through three states. It roughly follows the "Old Natchez Trace," a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, "Kaintucks," European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents. Today, people can enjoy a scenic drive as well as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the Parkway.
🌤 Weather Information
Mississippi, Alabama, and most of Tennessee are classified as humid subtropical climates. The weather ranges from mild winters to hot summers. Average high temperatures reach into the high 90's in summer and often heat indices are over 100 degrees F. Winters are mild with daytime temperatures around 50 F but lows below freezing are not uncommon. Thunderstorms are common in the southeast and the southern part of Mississippi is occasionally affected by hurricanes. Check local forecasts to plan your trip.
🚗 Directions
Directions to the Natchez Trace Parkway vary depending on what part of the tri-state Parkway you are trying to reach. There are more than 50 roads that access the Parkway in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. For specific questions concerning how to get to a certain portion of the Parkway, please call the Visitor Center at 1-800-305-7417.
Images
The Natchez Trace Parkway commemorates a historic travel route that helped build the young United States. The Parkway 444 miles, with plenty of stops to allow you to explore some of the history or enjoy the scenery along the way.
Credit: NPS Photo
The elegant Double Arch Bridge won the Presidential Award for Design Excellence in 1995. It spans Birdsong Hollow and Tennessee Highway 96. To see it from below, take the TN 96 exit and stop at the pulloff before you get to the highway.
Credit: NPS Photo
Mount Locust served as a family home and as a stand, or inn, for Natchez Trace travelers. Built around 1780, the home and grounds are open for visitors during operating hours.
Credit: NPS Photo
The "Old Trace," the historic trail commemorated by the Natchez Trace Parkway today, still survives in segments. The Old Trace was the main road through the Old Southwest, connecting Natchez to Nashville by going through Chickasaw and Choctaw lands.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Natchez Trace Parkway commemorates a historic travel route that helped build the young United States. The Parkway 444 miles, with plenty of stops to allow you to explore some of the history or enjoy the scenery along the way.
Credit: NPS Photo
The elegant Double Arch Bridge won the Presidential Award for Design Excellence in 1995. It spans Birdsong Hollow and Tennessee Highway 96. To see it from below, take the TN 96 exit and stop at the pulloff before you get to the highway.
Credit: NPS Photo
Mount Locust served as a family home and as a stand, or inn, for Natchez Trace travelers. Built around 1780, the home and grounds are open for visitors during operating hours.
Credit: NPS Photo
The "Old Trace," the historic trail commemorated by the Natchez Trace Parkway today, still survives in segments. The Old Trace was the main road through the Old Southwest, connecting Natchez to Nashville by going through Chickasaw and Choctaw lands.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Natchez Trace Parkway commemorates a historic travel route that helped build the young United States. The Parkway 444 miles, with plenty of stops to allow you to explore some of the history or enjoy the scenery along the way.
Credit: NPS Photo
The elegant Double Arch Bridge won the Presidential Award for Design Excellence in 1995. It spans Birdsong Hollow and Tennessee Highway 96. To see it from below, take the TN 96 exit and stop at the pulloff before you get to the highway.
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Sunday, Mar 22
Sunny
High: 90.1°F | Low: 58.3°F
Humidity: 58%
Wind: 13.6 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.8
Sunrise: 06:57 AM
Sunset: 07:09 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (11%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 64.9°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Monday, Mar 23
Overcast
High: 69.8°F | Low: 51.6°F
Humidity: 71%
Wind: 13.2 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.7
Sunrise: 06:55 AM
Sunset: 07:10 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (20%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 56.4°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Tuesday, Mar 24
Overcast
High: 58.3°F | Low: 44.8°F
Humidity: 67%
Wind: 8.1 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.6
Sunrise: 06:54 AM
Sunset: 07:11 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (30%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 44.9°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Ranger Program
Join us at 2:00PM for a ranger-led program!
Location: This program will take place in the Parkway Visitor Center auditorium at 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS 38804.
Date: Dec 13, 2025 12:00am to Dec 13, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
North Mississippi Dulcimers Performance
Did you know that the dulcimer is generally considered the only musical instrument known to be entirely invented in the United States? Originally created somewhere in Appalachia (opinions differ), part of the dulcimer's appeal is the relative simplicity in playing it. Learn more-and maybe try your hand at some pickin' and playin'- when you join us at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center at milepost 266 for a performance featuring the North Mississippi Dulcimers.
Location: This program will take place in the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center auditorium at 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS 38804.
Date: Jan 3, 2026 12:00am to Jan 3, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Ranger Program
Join us at 2:00PM for a ranger-led program!
Location: This program will take place in the Parkway Visitor Center auditorium at 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS 38804.
Date: Jan 10, 2026 12:00am to Jan 10, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
North Mississippi Dulcimers Performance
Did you know that the dulcimer is generally considered the only musical instrument known to be entirely invented in the United States? Originally created somewhere in Appalachia (opinions differ), part of the dulcimer's appeal is the relative simplicity in playing it. Learn more-and maybe try your hand at some pickin' and playin'- when you join us at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center at milepost 266 for a performance featuring the North Mississippi Dulcimers.
Location: This event will take place in the Parkway Visitor Center auditorium at 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS 38804.
Date: Feb 7, 2026 12:00am to Feb 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Pioneer Day Living History and Crafts
In this age of digital everything, don't you ever wish you had some of the tangible life skills of your ancestors? If so, join us on the fourth Saturday of every month for Pioneer Day, where you might learn to weave your own basket, spin wool on a spinning wheel, make old fashioned dolls, and more! We hope to see you there!
Location: This event will take place at the Parkway Visitor Center at 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS 38804.
Date: Feb 28, 2026 12:00am to Feb 28, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
North Mississippi Dulcimers Performance
Did you know that the dulcimer is generally considered the only musical instrument known to be entirely invented in the United States? Originally created somewhere in Appalachia (opinions differ), part of the dulcimer's appeal is the relative simplicity in playing it. Learn more-and maybe try your hand at some pickin' and playin'- when you join us at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center at milepost 266 for a performance featuring the North Mississippi Dulcimers.
Location: This event will take place in the Parkway Visitor Center auditorium at 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS 38804.
Date: Mar 7, 2026 12:00am to Mar 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Pioneer Day Living History and Crafts
In this age of digital everything, don't you ever wish you had some of the tangible life skills of your ancestors? If so, join us on the fourth Saturday of every month for Pioneer Day, where you might learn to weave your own basket, spin wool on a spinning wheel, make old fashioned dolls, and more! We hope to see you there!
Location: This event will take place at the Parkway Visitor Center at 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS 38804.
Date: Mar 28, 2026 12:00am to Mar 28, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
North Mississippi Dulcimers Performance
Did you know that the dulcimer is generally considered the only musical instrument known to be entirely invented in the United States? Originally created somewhere in Appalachia (opinions differ), part of the dulcimer's appeal is the relative simplicity in playing it. Learn more-and maybe try your hand at some pickin' and playin'- when you join us at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center at milepost 266 for a performance featuring the North Mississippi Dulcimers.
Location: This event will take place in the Parkway Visitor Center auditorium at 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS 38804.
Date: Apr 4, 2026 12:00am to Apr 4, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Pioneer Day Living History and Crafts
In this age of digital everything, don't you ever wish you had some of the tangible life skills of your ancestors? If so, join us on the fourth Saturday of every month for Pioneer Day, where you might learn to weave your own basket, spin wool on a spinning wheel, make old fashioned dolls, and more! We hope to see you there!
Location: This event will take place at the Parkway Visitor Center at 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS 38804.
Date: Apr 25, 2026 12:00am to Apr 25, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
North Mississippi Dulcimers Performance
Did you know that the dulcimer is generally considered the only musical instrument known to be entirely invented in the United States? Originally created somewhere in Appalachia (opinions differ), part of the dulcimer's appeal is the relative simplicity in playing it. Learn more-and maybe try your hand at some pickin' and playin'- when you join us at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center at milepost 266 for a performance featuring the North Mississippi Dulcimers.
Location: This event will take place in the Parkway Visitor Center auditorium at 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS 38804.
Date: May 2, 2026 12:00am to May 2, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
2680 Natchez Trace Parkway
Tupelo, MS 38804
🏤 Mailing Address:
2680 Natchez Trace Parkway
Tupelo, MS 38804
📞 Voice Phone: 8003057417
📞 Fax Phone: 6626804033
✉️ Email: natr_interpretation@nps.gov