Who's traveled the Natchez Trace? (Jackson, Tupelo: organic, live, to eat)

[Chris Balducci]

Most of the Natchez Trace is in Mississippi. Anyone out there take the opportunity to travel it, to explore it?

God bless,

CKB

[Graywalker]

I travel the Trace as often as I can. Southern segment mostly - from about the Upper Choctaw Boundary south to Natchez. Why?

[An Einnseanair]

I have traveled the entire Trace from Ridgeland, MS, to Alabama. I lived a few miles from French Camp, so I drove on parts of it many many times. The section around Jackson wasn't finished at the time, and I never got all the way to Natchez.

[nep321]

I drove along the segment from Ridgeland to Natchez, and later on, the segment from Tupelo to Nashville. I LOVED it! Best road ever. I even stopped at a few historical sites and rest areas along the way. I also liked how the pavement was reddish-brown colored, like many other roads in MS. It makes the roads look "organic."

[DiogenesofJackson]

The trace is truly a national treasure! You may not see a whole lot of scenery other than trees, some occasional livestock alongside the road, a few wild turkeys, and a deer or two or three or four (or a herd). Yet the trees create a canopy-like driving experience that is quite unique.

Alongside Ridgeland you'll see the glistening waters of the Ross Barnett Reservoir for about a good eight to ten miles. Watch the road, not the water if you're driving!!

Around Cherokee, AL, the scenery looks like typical lower Appalachian foothills and there's some awesome pull offs by a creek near the AL state line.

If you travel the trace, be aware that it's 50 mph, but I guess you're aware of that if you're asking about it. Also, you need to do some research and find gas stops because there aren't any (as far as I know) between Ridgeland and Cherokee, AL--the part I'm most familiar with. You'll have to exit the trace and get on a state route to find gas stations, but there are some nearby on the major roads like U.S. 82 and any exit in the Ridgeland and Tupelo areas.

Theres numerous pull offs that feature horse trails, historical sites, hiking trails, Indian mounds, etc. There are rest areas on the trace with functioning bathrooms near Bay Springs, in one of the national forests south of Tupelo, and I'm sure a few other points along the way.

[samanthastar22]

I use the trace to travel from Jackson to Natchez. Stop by a visitor center and get a free map of the trace. I also use the trace to travel to La. I leave Jackson and exit around Port Gibson area and get on Hwy 61 and then on to Baton Rouge... it's peaceful to travel on.

I also use the trace to go to the Reservoir (part of it is closed for repair and you have to take a detour) and pull of at an overlook and use the bank to sit my chair on and read. Lots of people fish from the bank too. I haven't gone as far as Tupelo yet.

[oldenfatt]

The Trace near Tupelo is a beautiful drive, especially during the fall months. If you are near the visitor center, watch your speed. The Park Rangers patrolling the trace do an excellent job of enforcing the speed limit. I don't recommend the Trace for a lengthy night drive. The deer herds are a hazard, and the lack of commercial signage and lights will put the most alert driver in a stupor after an hour or so.

[covedweller]

Saw this article about a new book on the Trace, and thought it might be of interest to some:

Book about Natchez Trace to commemorate its 75th year - Madison County Journal - Madison County Mississippi

[samanthastar22]

I second that about the deer. I only travel on the trace during the day. Also, Covedweller I will check out the book. Thanks.

[Southlander]

We travel at least a portion of the Trace once a year, in October, to go from North Alabama to Natchez. I used to love to take lunch and pull off at one of the rest stops to eat.
One reason we used to use the Trace was because the interstates in Mississippi were like roller coasters. That's no longer the case, and we're now more in a hurry, so we usually get on it just past Jackson and travel down to Natchez.
The new exit point at Natchez puts you right in town, instead of outside it by several miles.
Just be sure that you go 50 mph. The federal cops are vigilant. If you think that's slow, well, just remember you can go 50 mph for a very long time! It all works out.