Natchez Trace Parkway

[spyderbirds]

Seeking opinions from anyone who has ridden Natches Trace Parkway.
How many days would you spend?
Any must see stops along the route?
Considering this as part of our September tour.

Also havent ruled out a trip out west, Pacific coast highway, grand canyon, and hoover dam as highlights.

For those of you who have done both, (hotglue and FB for starters) which would you pick for a fall ryde?

[warp10]

There is a petrefied forest in Mississippi near Jackson just off the Trace, very nice setup.

[BitSlayer]

SpyderBirds, thanks for starting this thread. We are considering this as a fall trip on October. Hoping to get in some color changes while we ryde it. Was planning on doing it from south to north as that is how the NPS covers it in their brochures. Have you checked out the NPS site for NTP?

http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm

Good info and maps showing their highlights.

[Luckyme]

I have ridden the entire Trace. It's a very nice ride, relaxing, and simple. Not too hilly or windy, but beautiful forests and glades all along it. No commercial traffic, which is wonderful. Just get on it in Nashville or Natchez and ride!
Speed limit might seem a bit low, but Federal roads like this are.
A couple things I enjoyed:

• Getting off at the "few and far between" roads to small towns and meeting locals.
• Visit some swamps. Interesting walks along them. Cypress swamps are interesting.
• Visit a couple Indian Mounds (There is one that I could tell you about the locals there, but not enough room here. Emerald Mound, and if it's still there, check out the local that has a little beer joint/trailer there. That was a highlight, but not sure if still operating)
• A must stop: French Camp. The little log cabin restaurant there, just off the Trace makes a fantastic BLT. They are known for it.
• A couple walking trails were interesting, and some interesting history.
• Near the Trace where it starts/ends in Nashville is the Loveless Cafe. A wonderful place to eat.
• Casino (if that's your thing in Natchez)
• Numerous places to stop and enjoy some local history.

[FrankPa]

Nashville to Tupelow one day, back to Nashville the next. Very pleasant ride on a beautiful highway...

[spyderbirds]

There is a petrefied forest in Mississippi near Jackson just off the Trace, very nice setup.

Thanks i will make note of that, did you ride the whole 444 miles? two days?

[spyderbirds]

SpyderBirds, thanks for starting this thread. We are considering this as a fall trip on October. Hoping to get in some color changes while we ryde it. Was planning on doing it from south to north as that is how the NPS covers it in their brochures. Have you checked out the NPS site for NTP?

http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm

Good info and maps showing their highlights.

Bitslayer, i have been to the NPS site for the NTP looks like a scenic and relaxing ride. Have not set entire trip route yet. would like to ride in all states South and East of Tennessee on this trip. hence my question about how many days to plan for the NTP.

[spyderbirds]

I have ridden the entire Trace. It's a very nice ride, relaxing, and simple. Not too hilly or windy, but beautiful forests and glades all along it. No commercial traffic, which is wonderful. Just get on it in Nashville or Natchez and ride!
Speed limit might seem a bit low, but Federal roads like this are.
A couple things I enjoyed:

• Getting off at the "few and far between" roads to small towns and meeting locals.
• Visit some swamps. Interesting walks along them. Cypress swamps are interesting.
• Visit a couple Indian Mounds (There is one that I could tell you about the locals there, but not enough room here. Emerald Mound, and if it's still there, check out the local that has a little beer joint/trailer there. That was a highlight, but not sure if still operating)
• A must stop: French Camp. The little log cabin restaurant there, just off the Trace makes a fantastic BLT. They are known for it.
• A couple walking trails were interesting, and some interesting history.
• Near the Trace where it starts/ends in Nashville is the Loveless Cafe. A wonderful place to eat.
• Casino (if that's your thing in Natchez

• Numerous places to stop and enjoy some local history.

Sounds like you took some time and saw most of the sites. How long was your trip up (or down) the parkway?
I'd like to learn to slow down and see more rather than blasting past some of the remote sights.

[summerdawn]

We rode the entire Trace. It took about 3 days. There are nice historical markers along the way and the Indian mounds were interesting. There are some pretty swamp areas too. There is not a lot of variety of scenery on this ride. It was pleasant but I would not ride it again.

[BitSlayer]

Have not set entire trip route yet. would like to ride in all states South and East of Tennessee on this trip. hence my question about how many days to plan for the NTP

Neither have we. That is why I appreciate you starting this thread. Already some good suggestions. I am also curious about the length of the ride including normal side trips and stops. I was planning 2 days, just to take it slow and enjoy the scenery. Maybe that is too much for a 400 mile trip, but again, was planning on stopping to take in a little local scenery and flavor...

[Lava Flow]

We rode the entire Trace. It took about 3 days. There are nice historical markers along the way and the Indian mounds were interesting. There are some pretty swamp areas too. There is not a lot of variety of scenery on this ride. It was pleasant but I would not ride it again.

Sounds Like there's somehing you didn't like about the ride would you mind sharing it with us I am thinking of doing this ride in Oct from Nashville to the end and then over to Biloxi for a few days.

[spyderbirds]

We rode the entire Trace. It took about 3 days. There are nice historical markers along the way and the Indian mounds were interesting. There are some pretty swamp areas too. There is not a lot of variety of scenery on this ride. It was pleasant but I would not ride it again.

Do you think it may have been more enjoyable to cover it in less detail over two days rather than three?

[smoky]

One of the best rides of my life was a two party two wheeler trip up the Trace from Natchez to Nashville about 15 years ago. Any of the side attractions are worth the whole trip. We particularly were enamored by the waterway locks on the Tombigbee waterway in N. Alabama. Great history on the Trace...smoky

[Jester]

Admittedly, I live in Natchez, reputed to be the oldest city on the Mississippi River, so I am somewhat prejudiced. The Trace and the towns along it are very motorcycle friendly. Start in Nashville and take two or three days but plan at least two or three more just for Natchez. There you will find the Pig Out Inn, our renowned barbeque place, and very nearby, Natchez Under The Hill, home of the UTH Saloon. The ladies will love all of the antebellum homes and many other historical attractions.

If you are camping, try Riverview RV Park on the Bank of the River in Vidalia, La. just across the bridge. Tell 'em Jester sent you!

[ruthie]

I agree with Jester Natchez parkway is a great motorcycle road and the town of Natchez is a great place to visit. Start in Nashville and ride it all the way. Rode it many time.

Keep up post on your time schedule.

[summerdawn]

Lava,
The town of Natchez was great and we enjoyed it but the Trace is pretty much flat with trees on both sides and very little to see otherwise. It is pleasant but I found it boring after the first 50 miles. There is interesting history to learn/read along the way but I was happy to get off the Trace. We took a different route home. In contrast I can ride the Blue Ridge Parkway north and south and be happy.

[neelbert]

I agree with Jester Natchez parkway is a great motorcycle road and the town of Natchez is a great place to visit. Start in Nashville and ride it all the way. Rode it many time.

Keep up post on your time schedule.

rode the whole thing oct 2011 was dissaponted in the leaves not much color.Enjoyed meeting Jester under the Hill.We rode 1306 miles in5 days We enjoyed it'

[RanHag]

We road the entire trip a few years ago. A beautiful ride but be aware that the speed limit was 50 and they mean it! We were stopped at 55 and given a small lecture but no ticket! Hope you enjoy your trip!

[Luckyme]

Sounds like you took some time and saw most of the sites. How long was your trip up (or down) the parkway?
I'd like to learn to slow down and see more rather than blasting past some of the remote sights.

If I recall, we started in Nashville, rode to Tupelo where the Trace goes right through, and spent the night there. Lots of hotels, and a friendly place. Then on to Natchez the next day.
2 Days would be OK in my opinion.

[spyderbirds]

Thanks to all for your replies. probably will allow 2 days to ride the trace. then its on south and east.
Wish my crystal weather ball wasnt broken, would like later in fall cool temps but dont want early ice on the way home.