One of the things we have really grown into the past few years is our love for the great outdoors.  Luckily, we live a short drive from so many great outdoor adventures. One of these gems is the Natchez Trace Parkway, and fortunately, we live close enough to the northern end to hop on over to take in the beauty.

For those who didn’t grow up learning the local history of this area, the current Natchez Trace Parkway meanders along near the original Natchez Trace which was a pathway used by prehistoric animals, nomadic Native Americans, European explorers, and finally wagon trains. Running from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, it had become a vital trade route for goods coming from and going to the Mississippi River by the turn of the 19th century. 

“The Trace,” as locals call it, is a national park that protects that area around the nearly 450 miles of gorgeous, rural road lined with wildlife and recreational opportunities aplenty. Among other things, visitors can picnic, camp, hike, fish, and ride bicycles and horses along the Trace. The nature and history of the area is also worth adding to your list of things to explore further.

One of our favorite spots for a quick day trip is Jackson Falls (milepost 404.7) which is about an hour drive for us. We call it hiking, but exploring is a better way to describe what we do when we visit this area. From the parking lot, you take a steep paved trail with some steps about a quarter of a mile to the falls. 

Jackson Falls and its resulting creek eventually feed into the Duck River. The last couple of times we have been, the water level has been low providing a perfect opportunity to follow the rocky creek bed to the banks of the river. We climb over boulders, look for rocks with fossils, and observe the fish in the pools gathered along the way until we make it to the river. With its quiet and lazy flow, the Duck River is a perfect place to fish and skip rocks. 

While you are in the area you may want to check out the Baker's Bluff Trail (milepost 405.1), Gordon House Historic Site (milepost 407.7), Tobacco Barn & Old Trace Drive (milepost 401.4), Old Trace (milepost 403.7), Fall Hollow Waterfall (milepost 391.9), and Meriwether Lewis Burial Monument, (milepost 385.9). 

A few important things to know before traveling the Natchez Trace Parkway - 

- There are no entrance or campground fees.

- The speed limit is 50 miles an hour or less, and they are serious about it! 

- Not all visitor centers and restrooms are open all of the time.

- Cell phone coverage can be spotty. 

- Cyclists love the Trace because it is a designated bicycle route.

- Always check for detours and road closures before you go! 

- Check the weather before you go. It is recommended that visitors use alternate routes during storms.