Natchez Trace Parkway

[Margaret]

HI,

We just came back from a two-family trip on the GAP and C&O Trail for 6 days- It was amazing- the kids did great!  I am researching trails for our next trip.  We do a van-supported trip right now at least as our youngest family members are 10 and 11 and it gives us a great back-up.  I am wondering if anyone has done a trip on the Natchez Parkway?  I know that there is car traffic allowed there- and I have some information from the NPS but wanted to ask people here.  We would not be doing the whole thing but would pick a section of it if we chose this choice.  Anyone done a trip here?  Thanks,

Margaret

[brhoward]

I have ridden most of the Alabama section of the trace. Low traffic, rolling hills, nice ride!!

[Margaret]

Thank you!  Is it low traffic in most areas on the parkway?- since we will have kids with us- that is a concern.

Thanks,

Margaret

[brhoward]

It IS a highway and as I mentioned, rolling hills, so there are some blind spots to watch out for, but all in all, it's very rural and not a lot of intersections or crossing traffic.

[pmac]

I live just off the Trace in Ridgeland, MS, just north of Jackson.  I have also ridden the entire Trace.   it is a pretty nice ride all in all.  However, it is important to understand that the Trace is a regularly traveled roadway.  Think Blue Ridge Parkway instead of the CO/GAP. 

While traffic is generally pretty light on most sections, the sections around Jackson and Tupelo can be pretty heavy, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours.  There is a bikepath that paralleling the Trace that gets you out of the worst traffic around the Jackson area.  You can see on google maps using the bike filter.  From south of Tupelo to south of Kosciusko and from I-20 south to Natchez there is very little traffic.  I think the prettiest section (and the hilliest) is south from Nashville to the Ala line.

There are many reports of folks riding the Trace on CGOAB.

 

 

[Margaret]

Thanks- I am pretty familiar with the Blue Ridge Parkway- It seemed that the Natchez had a bit less traffic than that-  but good to know the trouble areas.

Margaret