Natchez Trace option

Posted on December 25, 2009 by Richard

As we near our departure date for the Southwest, I’m continuing to look at travel routes and potential overnight spots, focusing on Walmarts and Flying J’s along Route 81 toward Knoxville. One of the great guides that helping me look at options further south is Marianne Edward’s “RV Boondocking in Southern Texas.” She has advice about getting south out of the Nashville area and suggests taking the 444 mile Natchez Trace Parkway from Nashville to Natchez. I have the feeling that we will be sick of interstates and trailer trucks by the time we get to Nashville. We can thaw out, take it easier, and see a historic part of our country.

Here’s what Wikipedia says about the Trace:

The Natchez Trace, a 440-mile-long path extending from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, linked the Cumberland, Tennessee and Mississippirivers. It was a traditional Native American trail and was later also used by early European explorers as both a trade and transit route in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Today, the trail has been commemorated by the 444-mile-long Natchez Trace Parkway, which follows the approximate path of the trace.[1] The trail itself has a long and rich history, filled with brave explorers, dastardly outlaws and daring settlers. Parts of the original trail are still accessible.

Edward’s has some good ideas on stopping points at free campgrounds — we’ll likely stop near the north end at Meriwether Lewis near the north end at mile marker 385.9 and perhaps then at Rocky Springs near the south end. We may take an extra day and do a little exploring before heading over to the Texas coast.

I’d love to have you comment below sharing any advice or recommendations you might have about driving the Natchez Trace Parkway.


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One Response to Natchez Trace option

  1. randy says:
    December 26, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    You will love the Natchez Trace Parkway. The park service has three RV campgrounds along the Trace and there are more private campgrounds near the Trace. For information about the parkway, tons of pictures and maps check out NatchezTraceTravel.com.

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