For road trip loving baby boomers, a drive along the Natchez Trace combines scenery with history on a slow crawl through Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. The 444-mile green corridor meanders through forests, farmland and swamps as it follows an ancient path that is now a national park. With opportunities to hike 28 designated trails, fish in nearby lakes or bike the route, travelers choose from an array of adventures. And, numerous ranger-led programs provide learning experiences for baby boomers who want to know more about the area’s history.
You can drive the entire length of the trace or pick a portion to explore. That’s what Alan and I did. On a spring day trip, we traveled from Mathison to Jackson in Mississippi. White dogwood blossoms peeked through the green tunnel that arched over the roadway as we started our journey. Wildlife sightings along the way included wild turkey and deer.
We stopped at French Camp Historic District to explore an American Revolution era village operated by a Christian community that also sponsors a private school. For lunch, we chose The Council House Cafe where homemade bread made for outstanding sandwiches. If accommodations had been available at French Camp Bed and Breakfast, we would have stayed in the area for a night.
After pausing at the Pearl River overlook to watch fishermen try their luck in the murky water, we exited the Natchez Trace at Jackson for our final destination in Vicksburg, Baer House Inn Bed and Breakfast. Next time, we’ll continue to Natchez to explore more of the deep South or start at the northern end for hiking in Tennessee or Alabama.
Do you have any tips for traveling the Natchez Trace? Post a comment. We’ll be returning.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
It has been a few long years since I was on the Trace. And even more since I lived in Yazoo City, MS. I’d love to take my Kiwi man to Vicksburg and Natchez one day!
It has been a few long years since I was on the Trace. And even more since I lived in Yazoo City, MS. I’d love to take my Kiwi man to Vicksburg and Natchez one day!
Twitter: DonnaLHull
January 21, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Melanie, when you bring your KIWI man to Vicksburg and Natchez, here’s more information on the trace from one of my readers:
Donna,
I live outside of Port Gibson, MS, south of Vicksburg. I have traveled from top to bottom of the Natchez Trace and it is a wonderful trip when you make it the “destination” and not in a hurry. We read nearly every sign, stopped and walked the trails (I loved Jackson Falls), I even had to take off my shoes and put my feet in the cold water a time or two.
When you head on South here are a few stops everyone seems to enjoy:
Rocky Springs is pretty and when you walk through on the hiking trails you will find a beautiful old Methodist Church with a really wonderful cemetery.
Then around mile marker 40 or 41 exit onto Highway 18, turn right and in one mile you take a right on Highway 61. Go about 3 miles and turn left onto Grand Gulf Road for 7 miles. Grand Gulf Military Park in Port Gibson is a must see. Web site is http://www.grandgulfpark.state.ms.us (you must put in the www on this site). I retired from there last fall but it is a beautiful area and the old town of Grand Gulf fell into the Mississippi River in the late 1850′s but you can get to the edge of the Mississippi River (if it is not spring and out of the banks). You can imagine life on the river in a quiet peaceful area. HOWEVER, bring your own lunch, it is 7 miles north west of Port Gibson and too far for food! They do have some candy, etc. and drinks however. Ask the folks at the park how to go the back way in to Port Gibson the back way (if you are in a car, etc. Motorhomes, etc. need to stick to the highway.)
Port Gibson is a beautiful town with the First Presbyterian Church “gold hand” pointing to heaven, the Catholic Church with wood carvings dating back to the 1700′s, then about 10 miles out on Rodney Road is Windsor Ruins (was a beautiful plantation that burned and now only the columns stand.) Windsor has been in newspapers, magazines, and photographed more than any other place in the state. From there you can go left for about 7 miles to a stop sign. To the right is Alcorn State University, well known historical black college. Turn right for 5 miles and pick up the Natchez Trace, there are no historical markers between where you exited and this entrance. If you are hungry don’t get on the trace just yet, go on one mile, turn right on Highway 61 and you will find the “Old Country Store” with Mr. Dee serving the best fried chicken and home cooking you will every find!
Once you get full and nap an hour or two, get back on the Trace and continue on South towards Natchez, among the other sites, do not forget Mt. Locust. It is a wonderful place to see but I believe it closes in December and maybe January.
The Trace ends in Natchez where there are many wonderful things to see and do. Lots of good food as well.
I hope you will continue your trip South and see the rest. Thank you for visiting our beautiful state.
Sincerely,
Claire
Hermanville, MS
Twitter: DonnaLHull
January 21, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Melanie, when you bring your KIWI man to Vicksburg and Natchez, here’s more information on the trace from one of my readers:
Donna,
I live outside of Port Gibson, MS, south of Vicksburg. I have traveled from top to bottom of the Natchez Trace and it is a wonderful trip when you make it the “destination” and not in a hurry. We read nearly every sign, stopped and walked the trails (I loved Jackson Falls), I even had to take off my shoes and put my feet in the cold water a time or two.
When you head on South here are a few stops everyone seems to enjoy:
Rocky Springs is pretty and when you walk through on the hiking trails you will find a beautiful old Methodist Church with a really wonderful cemetery.
Then around mile marker 40 or 41 exit onto Highway 18, turn right and in one mile you take a right on Highway 61. Go about 3 miles and turn left onto Grand Gulf Road for 7 miles. Grand Gulf Military Park in Port Gibson is a must see. Web site is http://www.grandgulfpark.state.ms.us (you must put in the www on this site). I retired from there last fall but it is a beautiful area and the old town of Grand Gulf fell into the Mississippi River in the late 1850′s but you can get to the edge of the Mississippi River (if it is not spring and out of the banks). You can imagine life on the river in a quiet peaceful area. HOWEVER, bring your own lunch, it is 7 miles north west of Port Gibson and too far for food! They do have some candy, etc. and drinks however. Ask the folks at the park how to go the back way in to Port Gibson the back way (if you are in a car, etc. Motorhomes, etc. need to stick to the highway.)
Port Gibson is a beautiful town with the First Presbyterian Church “gold hand” pointing to heaven, the Catholic Church with wood carvings dating back to the 1700′s, then about 10 miles out on Rodney Road is Windsor Ruins (was a beautiful plantation that burned and now only the columns stand.) Windsor has been in newspapers, magazines, and photographed more than any other place in the state. From there you can go left for about 7 miles to a stop sign. To the right is Alcorn State University, well known historical black college. Turn right for 5 miles and pick up the Natchez Trace, there are no historical markers between where you exited and this entrance. If you are hungry don’t get on the trace just yet, go on one mile, turn right on Highway 61 and you will find the “Old Country Store” with Mr. Dee serving the best fried chicken and home cooking you will every find!
Once you get full and nap an hour or two, get back on the Trace and continue on South towards Natchez, among the other sites, do not forget Mt. Locust. It is a wonderful place to see but I believe it closes in December and maybe January.
The Trace ends in Natchez where there are many wonderful things to see and do. Lots of good food as well.
I hope you will continue your trip South and see the rest. Thank you for visiting our beautiful state.
Sincerely,
Claire
Hermanville, MS
Twitter: kerrydexter
January 22, 2009 at 8:55 am
Donna,
do you know the music of singer and songwriter Caroline Herring? she grew up in Mississippi and has written a very fine song about the Natchez Trace called, of course, Trace. It’s on her second album, Wellspring.
Twitter: kerrydexter
January 22, 2009 at 8:55 am
Donna,
do you know the music of singer and songwriter Caroline Herring? she grew up in Mississippi and has written a very fine song about the Natchez Trace called, of course, Trace. It’s on her second album, Wellspring.
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