Trails in Natchez Trace Parkway

Potkopinu (Pot-cop-i-new), the southernmost section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, is only three miles long, but it is the longest stretch of "sunken" historic Trace remaining. Named for the Natchez word meaning "little valley." Thus trail cuts deep into the rich, fine-grained soil. It doesn't take much to erode this type of soil, and centuries of human and animal traffic have done an impressive job. This trail has some embankments over twenty feet high!

The land surrounding the trail is private property. Please stay on the trail at all times.

Safety Alert: Prepare to walk through water at stream crossings. Crossing conditions vary from muddy areas to knee-deep water, depending on rainfall.

Horses are not permitted on the Potkopinu section.

Contour map of the Potkopinu Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

Camping is not permitted along this section of trail. All camping must take place in designated campgrounds unless you received a special use permit in advance. See Camping along the Natchez Trace Parkway for additional information.

See Maps for basic maps of all five developed sections of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail.

See Alerts & Conditions for additional information.

Trailheads on the Potkopinu Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

Northern Terminus Trailhead at Road 553(near Milepost 20): This trailhead is the larger of the two for Potkopinu. Vehicles may be parked parallel to the road. If you have an oversized vehicle this is the only place to park to access this trail. To reach this trailhead exit the Parkway at Milepost 20. Turn left (east) on Road #553 known as River Road. Turn right onto a dirt road and travel a short distance and parking is on the right.

Southern Terminus Trailhead at Milepost 17: This trailhead has room for a few cars. There is no overflow parking at this location. This locations is not recommended for oversized or recreational vehicles. Follow the signs on the Parkway to reach this trailhead. You will travel on dirt roads to reach the trailhead.

This twenty mile section is a popular hiking and equestrian corridor for visitors south of Nashville in Tennessee. Bicycles are prohibited on this trail. You can view a basic map of the Highland Rim section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail here.

Camping is not permitted along this section of trail. All camping must take place in designated campgrounds. For more information about camping check Camping Along the Natchez Trace Parkway.

See Alerts & Conditions and Road and Site Status for additional information.

Areas on the Highland Rim Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

Northern Terminus Trailhead at Garrison Creek (Milepost 427.6) : The Garrison Creek Trailhead is popular for both horseback riders and hikers alike. There is a designated parking area for horse trailers on the North end of the parking lot. Picnic tables and hitching posts are found near the Creek. Visitors will find drinking water near the restrooms. Hikers can start their walk from the trailhead near the restrooms, or at the trailhead near the picnic tables. As the northern terminus for the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, it is a great location to start a hike or trail ride.

War of 1812 Memorial (Milepost 426.3) : The War of 1812 Memorial, Milepost 426.3, honors the service and sacrifice of all brave volunteers who marched on the Natchez Trace during the War of 1812 especially those that are buried in unmarked graves up and down the Old Natchez Trace.

You can hike a roughly 1.3 mile section of the Old Natchez Trace here. This section is relatively flat through the shaded forest until you start to descend to the Garrison Creek trailhead.

Burns Branch (Milepost 425.4): This trailhead has parking for vehicles but not trailer parking and is not a staging area for horses. The site offers a hitching post and a picnic table to take a break if you would like.

Tennessee Valley Divide (Milepost 423.9): This trailhead parking is open to hikers only. As the scenic trail passes the parking lot, riders and hikers are rewarded with views of the Parkway, including vibrant blooms in the spring, and spectacular colors in the fall.

Carter Lane Picnic Area (Milepost 422.9): This picnic area is not accessible from the Natchez Trace Parkway. A hitching post and picnic table is available at this area. The large grassy area can become very muddy after rainfall.

Fly Trailhead on Highway 7 (Near Milepost 416): The Highway 7 Trailhead provides a small parking area for one or two horse trailers. If space is available, this will be a great starting point for just a few people. If there are numerous people riding together, the Highway 50 trailhead may be a better option. There is no water available at this trailhead. One hitching post is available here.

To reach the trailhead north of TN Hwy. 7, exit the Parkway at Milepost 416, turn left on Hwy. 7, then turn left on Old Natchez Trace Road. The trailhead is at the top of the hill on the left.

Shady Grove Trailhead on Hwy. 50, Southern Terminus (Near Milepost 408): This trailhead is a great place for hikers and horseback riders alike to start their journey on the Highland Rim Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. There is ample parking for horse trailers, two hitching posts, and water available for horses. Visitors will need to get drinking water at the Gordon House, milepost 407.7.

This trailhead is located west of the Parkway on Totty Lane. Totty Lane is a gravel lane and ample parking is on your right once you pull onto Totty Lane.

North of Jackson, Mississippi the Yockanookany section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is the longest of the five developed trail sections at 26 miles. Eight miles run alongside the Ross R. Barnett Reservoir, and the other sixteen miles go through dense forests, seasonal streams and open pastureland.

There is a lot to see on this stretch of trail; many sites are accessible via short side trails (you may have to cross the parkway). The trail parallels the parkway roadbed; use caution at all times, especially at bridge crossings, where you must walk along the Parkway road.

Camping is not permitted along this section of trail. All camping must take place in designated campgrounds unless you received a special use permit in advance. See Camping on the Natchez Trace Parkway for additional information.

See Maps for additional information.

See Alerts & Conditions and Road and Site Status for additional information.

Areas on the Yockanookany Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

Northern Terminus Trailhead at Yockanookany (Milepost 130.9): The Yockanookany trailhead is the northern terminus of the Yockanookany Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. This trailhead is open to hikers only. From this trailhead, the southern terminus at West Florida Boundary is about 26 miles away. To access the trailhead from the parking area walk south from the parking area several hundred feet until you see the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail sign on your right.

Upper Choctaw Boundary (Milepost 128.4): Hikers can access the Yockanookany section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail from the short self-guided interpretive walk at the location.

Cypress Swamp (Milepost 122): The Cypress Swamp Trailhead is located directly across the paved Parkway from the Cypress Swamp site. Hikers may hike south 14.1 miles to the West Florida Boundary, north 8.9 miles to the Yockanookany Trailhead, or any distance they chose on this out and back trail.

Highway 43 Trailhead (near Milepost 114.9): This is a the only staging area for horses on this section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. There is ample room for parking trailers, and water is available for horses to drink at this trailhead. Riders can travel north 16 miles to the northern terminus at Yockanookany, or south seven miles to the southern terminus at the West Florida Boundary.

To reach the Mississippi Hwy. 43 trailhead, exit the Parkway at Milepost 115; go west on MS Hwy 43 a short distance to Yandell Road; turn left (south) for 100 feet; turn left into the parking area.

Southern Terminus Trailhead at the West Florida Boundary (milepost 107.9): The West Florida Boundary Trailhead is the southern terminus of the Yockanookany Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. This parking area and trailhead is for hikers only. Hikers may chose to walk a short loop on the nature trail or continue for 26 miles to the northern terminus of this section at the Yockanookany Trailhead.

The Rocky Springs Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is a little over 6 mile section located near Port Gibson, Mississippi. You can pick up a Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail brochure by visiting the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center at Mount Locust, Milepost 15.5. Check Mount Locust visitor hours here.

This trail crosses gently rolling forested land. At Rocky Springs, a side trail leads to the remains of the old town , including a church and cemetery. The church and cemetery are off Parkway property.

South of Rocky Springs the trail is moderately strenuous in places--up and down through deep ravines. Near the south terminus at Owens Creek is a good spot to sit quietly and listen to the forest.

Camping is not permitted along this section of trail. All camping must take place in designated campgrounds. Rocky Springs Campground is located very close to the trail. See Camping along the Natchez Trace Parkway for additional information.

See Maps for additional information.

See Alerts & Conditions for additional information.

Areas on the Rocky Springs Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

Northern Terminus Trailhead at Hwy27/Fisher Ferry Road (near Milepost 59): This trailhead is an excellent staging area for horseback riders. There is ample parking for trailers. This is the only area for horses to stage on this section of trail. There is no water available at this location. Horseback riders will be riding on the road shoulder for part of this trail.

To get to this trailhead exit the Parkway at Milepost 59 and follow the signs to the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail Parking.

Rocky Springs Picnic Area (Milepost 54.8): This trailhead is accessible to hikers only. Hikers can take the trail from the picnic area, and continue north eight miles to the northern terminus or continue south two and one half miles to the southern terminus at Owens Creek. The southern portion of trail takes you over rocky outcroppings and on steep ridges. This trailhead has the most amenities and parking available on this section of Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail.

Southern Terminus at Owens Creek (Milepost 52.4): Owens Creek is the southern terminus of the Rocky Springs Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. This trailhead is available to hikers. You can start here and hike 6 miles north to the northern terminus of the Rocky Springs Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. This area can be unstable due to erosion. Please see Alerts & Conditions before hiking and respect all trail closures.

In and around Tupelo, Mississippi, this six mile section is a popular hiking and equestrian corridor for visitors. Bicycles are prohibited on this trail. You can pick up a Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail brochure by visiting the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center near the northern terminus trail head at Milepost 266 on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Check Parkway Visitor Center hours here

This trailhead is open to both hikers and horseback riders. This is the only staging area for horseback riders on the Tupelo section of Scenic Trail. A 3.5-mile loop trail is available for horseback riders.

Safety Information

At the following road crossing; creek crossing at milepost 264.5 and US 178 (McCullough Blvd.) crossing at Milepost 262.5, you must walk up to the Parkway and follow the road’s shoulder. Also be extremely careful at the railroad track crossing north of Chickasaw Village. See Alerts & Conditions and Road Site and Status for additional information.

Areas on the Trail

Northern Terminus Trailhead (Milepost 266): This trailhead is located just across the Parkway from the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center. Hikers can travel six miles along the outskirts of Tupelo (12 miles roundtrip). You can make the walk as long or as short as you would like on this out and back trail. This section of Scenic Trail is open to hikers only and requires walking on the Parkway for road and creek crossings.

Old Town Overlook (Milepost 263.9): Hikers can continue north for 2 miles to reach the Parkway Visitor Center or continue south for 2 miles to reach the Chickasaw Village Site. This section of Scenic Trail is open to hikers only and requires walking on the Parkway for road and creek crossings.

Chickasaw Village (Milepost 261.8): The Chickasaw Village Site provides hikers access to the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, as well as a one-half mile interpretive trail. The half mile trail identifies plants and their uses by American Indians, especially the Chickasaw. Visitors can continue north to the Old Town Overlook and Visitor Center or can make a loop by using the horse trail and hiking trail. This section of Scenic Trail requires walking on the Parkway for road and creek crossings. The trail on the south side of the prairie is closed due to storm damage.

Directions

From the Natchez Trace Parkway, exit onto Highway 6 at Milepost 260. Travel west on MS Highway 6 for approximately ½ mile to Air Park Road. Turn right and travel north to the end of the road at Jackson Street. Turn right on Jackson Street. A paved parking/staging area is on the left.