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There are eleven National Scenic Trails found across the United States - they are intended to showcase the beauty and splendor of the nation. They are located in places of outstanding recreational opportunity and generally extend for 100 miles or more. The exception is the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail which only extends around 60 miles through the states of Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi.
The trail traces the ancient Native American trails and routes of the region. A much more sobering trail to explore is the Trail of Tears Historic Trail where one can learn about the injustices to the Seminole, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (aka Creek), and Cherokee nations. If one is traveling the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, stop by the Museum of the Plains Indian and learn about the life of Native Americans in other parts of the country.
Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail - The Shortest But Historic
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is made up of five sections of hiking trails and runs more or less parallel with the much longer Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road (the parkway stretches 444 miles). It was originally planned to be much longer (and more or less follow the full length of the Natchez Trace Parkway). However, only a part of it was ever built - perhaps the rest will be built in due course.
- Length: Around 60 Miles
- Trail Type: Hiking Trail
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail explores its way through wetlands, swamps, and hardwood forests while discovering the history of the area.
- Natchez Trace Parkway: Extends 444 Miles
Unlike most trails, Natchez Trace Trail is not one continuous trail. Instead, it is broken up into various disconnected segments.
The trail is managed and maintained by the National Park Service and one should check their website for updates and info on any closures on the segments of the trail.
Five Developed Natchez Trail Sections
Since 1983, the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail has been established as a unit of the National Park System and the National Trails System. It is made up of five separate sections with portions following the original Old Natchez Trace.
The Natchez Trace trail can be accessed from many points along the Natchez Trace Parkway. When on the trail, look for markings of white blazes or brown and white signs.
The sections of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail are:
- Highland Rim Section: A Popular 20-Mile Hiking An Equestrian Corridor (Milepost 427.4 to 407.9)
- Blackland Prairie Section: 6-Mile Hiking Trail In and Around Tupelo, Mississippi
- Yockanookany Section: 26-Mile Section North Of Jackson Alongside Reservoirs And Through Dense Forests And Open Pastureland
- Rocky Springs Section: 6-Mile Section Near Port Gibson, Mississippi Crossing Gently Rolling Forested Land
- Potkopinu Section: 3-Mile Section But Still The Longest Stretch of the "Sunken" Historic Trace Remaining
Commemorating The Historic Natchez Trace
The Natchez Trace Parkway and the trail commemorate the historic Natchez Trace. Natchez Trace (or Old Natchez Trace) is a historic forest trail that ran around 440 miles from Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi. It was created and used for centuries by the Native Americans of the region.
- Length: 440 Miles
- Route: From Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi
- Built: By Native Americans Hundreds of Years Ago
- Used: By American Settlers As Late As The Early 19th Century
Later, it was also used by European (and then American) explorers as they made their way through the continent. It was used by American traders and emigrants as recently as the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Historically there were also early American inns (called "stands") along the trail serving food and lodging to travelers. As steamboats on the Mississippi and other rivers became more popular, the stands went into decline.
Today only parts of the historic trail are still accessible - notably the 3-mile Potkopinu Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. It is the southernmost section of the scenic trail but has the longest stretch of the sunken historic trail.
The section cuts deep into the rich, fine-grained soil of the area. See how centuries of human and animal traffic have worn the trail down. Today it has embankments over twenty feet high!
The trail is a great way to see both the natural beauty of the country and its deep history. It is also a manageable trail being short and broken into more bite-sized sections.