Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Park Closure Blackland Prairie Section Closed South of the Chickasaw Village Site

The Blackland Prairie section of the Scenic Trail south of the Chickasaw Village Site (milepost 261.8) is temporarily closed due to construction of the new access road to the Chickasaw Heritage Center. Construction activities and heavy equipment are operating within the trail corridor. There is no access through the construction area. Hikers approaching from either direction must turn around at the closure point. Please obey all posted closure signs and stay out of active construction zones for your safety.

Park Closure Partial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail

The Rocky Springs section is closed from the Rocky Springs campground at milepost 55 to the northern terminus at milepost 59 until further notice. Visitors should observe posted closures. The trail is unsafe due to trail erosion and deteriorated bridges.

Park Closure Yockanookany Trail Section Closed to Equestrians

The Yockanookany section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is closed to equestrian use effective immediately, due to safety concerns with trail bridges and boardwalks. The trail will remain open to pedestrians.

Read the full alert

Overview

The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles and offer opportunities to explore wetlands, swamps, hardwood forest, and the history of the area.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Hiking
  • Horse Trekking
  • Horseback Riding

Plan your visit

Hours

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail: The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is open every day during daylight hours. Severe weather resulting in washouts and downed trees can cause temporary trail closures. The trail is located entirely within the property boundaries of the Natchez Trace Parkway and questions about the trail and its condition should be directed to the Parkway's visitor center by calling 662-680-4027.

Getting there

Directions to the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail vary greatly depending on what section you are trying to reach. For specific questions concerning how to get to a certain section or trail head of the National Scenic Trail, please call the Visitor Center at 662-680-4027.

Visitor centers

Weather

Mississippi, Alabama, and most of Tennessee are classified as humid subtropical climates. The weather ranges from mild winters to hot summers. Average high temperatures reach into the high 80's in summer, and into the high 40's in winter. Thunderstorms are common in Mississippi, especially in the southern part of the state, and from June through November, the state is occasionally affected by hurricanes moving north from the Gulf of Mexico. Check local forecasts to plan your trip.

Phone: 662-680-4027

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

A section of the Old Trace at Rocky Springs (MP 52.4-59)
Rocky Springs Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail · NPS Photo
A fork in the trail with directional signs
Yockanookany Section Trail Head at Cypress Swamp · NPS Photo

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