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Natchez Today
By the People, for the People
Natchez Trace Parkway Offers 10,000 Years of History
The 444-mile scenic drive through three states provides recreational opportunities beyond just driving.
Published on Feb. 14, 2026
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The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee that roughly follows the historic "Old Natchez Trace" travel corridor used by American Indians, European settlers, soldiers, and more over the past 10,000 years. Today, visitors can enjoy not just the scenic drive, but also hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the Parkway.
Why it matters
The Natchez Trace Parkway preserves an important historical travel route while also providing modern recreational opportunities for visitors. As a National Park Service site, it helps protect the natural and cultural resources of the region for future generations.
The details
The Natchez Trace Parkway roughly follows the path of the historic "Old Natchez Trace," a 440-mile trail used by American Indians, European settlers, soldiers, and others over the past 10 millennia. Today, the Parkway offers a 444-mile scenic drive as well as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping opportunities for visitors.
- The Natchez Trace has been used as a travel corridor for over 10,000 years.
- The Natchez Trace Parkway was established as a National Scenic Trail in 1938.
The players
Natchez Trace Parkway
A 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee that roughly follows the historic "Old Natchez Trace" travel corridor.
National Park Service
The federal agency that manages the Natchez Trace Parkway as a National Scenic Trail.
The takeaway
The Natchez Trace Parkway provides visitors with the opportunity to experience 10,000 years of history through a scenic drive and variety of recreational activities, while also preserving an important cultural and natural resource for future generations.
