Crisp fall mornings, warm afternoons, and cool nights would make autumn on the Natchez Trace Parkway enjoyable enough.  Add stunning fall colors, the scent of campfires and pine trees, and especially the joy of picking up just fallen pecans at Mt. Locust and the picture is complete.  When we stood still and were quiet, we could almost hear the whisper of footsteps from long ago.  Was it an Indian moccasin?  Or was it a Tennessee settler returning home on the Natchez Trace from selling his livestock'?  Perhaps we will never know for sure but knowing the rich history of the Natchez Trace makes it easy to imagine the possibilities.

In a sense, buffalo created the original Natchez Trace on their way to better feeding grounds.  The Choctaw, Natchez, and Chickasaw Indians improved the primitive trail and in the early 1700's the French drew a map showing a trail from Natchez, Mississippi to the northeast.  By 1785, farmers who had floated their goods down the Mississippi River to Natchez or New Orleans made good use of the Natchez Trace to return home. However, walking or riding a horse on the trace could be hazardous.  Thieves, swampland, flooded rivers, and unfriendly Indians took their toll on the unwary traveler.

Construction on the Natchez Trace Parkway began in the late 1930's and about 90% of the proposed 444 miles are complete today.  Only a few miles through Jackson, Mississippi remain to be constructed.  Many RV'ers have discovered the pleasures of ambling along the 50 mph scenic roads of the Trace without the trials and tribulations that the settlers of old endured.  The Parkway roughly follows the Old Natchez Trace and in many places, the visitor can take a walk on sections of the old trace.  No commercial traffic is allowed and unbelievably, there are no stoplights or stop signs on the Trace itself.

The very helpful Natchez Trace Parkway Official Map and Guide can be picked up in several points along the route.  Milepost signs make it easy to follow the map and plan ahead for the dozens of stops for self-guiding hiking trails, Indian mounds, picnic areas and nature exhibits.  There is only one service station directly on the Trace (Jeff Busby, Milepost 193. 1), other stations are available just off the Trace.

Boondockers will appreciate the three free campgrounds on the trace: Meriwether Lewis at Milepost 385.9 (32 sites), Jeff Busby at Milepost 193.1 (18 sites), and Rocky Springs at Milepost 54.8 (22 sites).  There are no hook-ups but restrooms, phones, and picnic tables are available.  Other commercial campgrounds are located just off the Trace in many locations.

Gigantic, overstuffed roast beef or turkey sandwiches on homemade bread, crisp and crunchy broccoli salad, and Mississippi Mud Pie are just a few of the freshly prepared offerings. This memorable restaurant is housed in an old log cabin on the grounds of the French Camp Academy. Turn east from the parkway and the parking lot will be on your left. A gift shop of old-fashioned crafts is nearby. Sorghum is made here in the fall.