Natchez Trace Parkway

A deeply eroded section of the original trace near Port Gibson, Miss.

Dogwoods in bloom alongside the parkway near Tupelo, Miss.

The Ross Bennett Reservoir along the Natchez Trace Parkway near Jackson, Miss.

The Natchez Trace Parkway runs 444 miles from Natchez in southern Mississippi to a point just south of Nashville, Tenn., cutting across a corner of Alabama.

The parkway commemorates Native American paths that were later used by white settlers to extend their commerce and trade. It is a scenic road built and maintained by the National Park Service with 15 major interpretive locations, historic sites, camping and picnicking facilities.

The parkway has two campgrounds in Mississippi and one in Tennessee.

There are nature trails, portions of the original trace, scenic overlooks, historic monuments, bridges and visitor centers.

The parkway is used by many touring cyclists.

The only visitor center is located in Tupelo at Parkway milepost 266. Several remote contact stations are located along the parkway.