Seven Things You Must See on the Natchez Trace Parkway 

Plan Your Visit

Expect to see a different side of the Trace at any time of the year. In the fall, there are plenty of opportunities for leaf peeping, and in the spring, expect to see fields upon fields of wildflowers. If you’re planning a summer trip, longer days mean more time to explore, but make sure you carry enough water as the temperature can climb.

Know Before You Go

There are limited entry and exit points to the park, and cell signal isn’t always available, so a bit of extra prep will be helpful. There are no lodging, gas stations, or dining options on the Trace itself, meaning that if you’re planning an overnight stay, you’ll need to know the nearest exit point. For more information on accommodation options near Tupelo, check out our lodging page.

We also suggest fueling up at one of our many coffee shops before you set off, and bring some snacks with you. There are some great takeout options from Strange Brew Coffeehouse or Crave.

Parkway Visitor Center

Start your day at the Parkway Visitor Center at Milepost 266, located near the intersection of Highway 145 and the Natchez Trace Parkway. It’s the only official visitor’s center on the Parkway, located right here in Tupelo. The rangers will tell you everything you need to know about planning your Natchez Trace trip and will point you in the direction of trails within walking distance.

Tupelo Trail | Natchez Trace Milepost 266

This trailhead is located across the Parkway from the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center and offers a six-mile walk along the outskirts of Tupelo (a 12-mile round-trip). At Milepost 261.8, you’ll find the Chickasaw Village Site, the area once occupied by the Chickasaw Nation. Hikers can follow a short trail with information about the area’s original inhabitants, their dwellings, and their interactions with native plants and flora. The Chickasaw Village Site provides access to the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and a 0.5-mile interpretive trail. Visitors can then continue north to the Old Town Overlook at Milepost 263.9. This section of Scenic Trail is open to hikers only and requires walking on the Parkway for road and creek crossings.

Dogwood Valley | Natchez Trace Milepost 275.2

About 20 minutes from Downtown Tupelo, you’ll find Dogwood Valley. While there are plenty of Dogwood Trees to be found on the East Coast, there aren’t all that many on the Natchez Trace, which makes this spot all the more special. Explorers can take in the trees on a 15-minute self-guided walk, with informative tidbits along the way.

Twentymile Bottom Overlook | Natchez Trace Milepost 278.4

Hungry yet? Around 25 miles from Tupelo, you’ll find the Twentymile Bottom Overlook, where picnic tables are waiting for you. This viewpoint looks over Twentymile Bottom, once a low area along the streams through which the Natchez Trace passed. Today, the land has been cultivated, and it’s a great stop to stretch your legs.

Witch Dance | Natchez Trace Milepost 233.2

It’s Halloween year-round at Witch Dance! Keep an eye out for patches of scorched-looking earth; legend has it that it was here where witches gathered to dance, and wherever their feet touched the ground, grass withered and died. Today, the spot is a campground, but an eerie one at that. It’s also a starting point for an 18-mile hiking or equestrian trail. You’ll also find 17 picnic tables and 5 grills.

Pharr Mounds Milepost | Natchez Trace Milepost 286.7

About 40 minutes outside Tupelo, Pharr Mounds is a 90-acre archeological site dating back to 1 and 200 CE – long before Europeans arrived. Located at the headwaters of the Tombigbee River, the site features several dome-shaped mounds. Archeological excavations indicate it may have been a trading hub, uncovering ancient fire pits, clay platforms, and Native American burial sites.

Tishomingo State Park

Continue your archeological adventures at Tishomingo State Park. Intersecting with the Natchez Trace, the park sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, about 45 miles out of town. Named for the chief of the Chickasaw Nation, the park is steeped in history. Archeological excavations indicate the presence of Paleo Indians as early as 7000 B.C. In addition to plenty of learning opportunities, visitors can also check out hiking trails, rock formations, and a swinging bridge.