This Scenic 444-Mile Drive Just May Be The Most Underrated Adventure Near Nashville
By Meghan Kraft|Published March 22, 2021
×
Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
Nashville is one of the neatest cities in the United States, but sometimes you have to get out of town to really appreciate its location right in the heart of beautiful Tennessee. The Natchez Trace Parkway is a historic trading route that snakes from the mid-state deep into the state of Mississippi, and it’s an experience folks travel far and wide to have for themselves. If you find yourself with a spare Saturday, we’d recommend grabbing a coffee and taking a drive. There’s really nothing like the beauty of the Volunteer State, and an experience along the Natchez Trace Parkway only highlights the state’s stunning natural side.
The historic Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile fully recreational road that follows an old travel corridor used by Native Americans. Known as the "Old Natchez Trace," you can drive along the once highly trafficked road and get a glimpse at Tennessee so many years ago.
It's not just a scenic drive that attracts people to the Natchez Trace, but also the myriad of fun outdoor experiences available along the way. There's camping, hiking, biking, and even horseback riding along the parkway.
If you do choose to drive, you'll want to check road conditions before you go. The Trace can get a bit icy, and you'll also want to keep an eye out for wildlife on the road. Since cycling is a very common and popular activity along the Trace, you'll want to respect your lane and the cyclists on the road as well.
Can you imagine seeing sights like this along the way? Definitely bring a camera, and keep in mind that you're driving through 10,000 years of local history. Natives and explorers walked the trails for thousands of years and linked the southwest many years ago.
If you do park the car and hike your way into the wilderness, keep in mind that it is against federal law to remove any artifact from the park. Simply enjoy your walk and take a few good pictures. Tennessee is dedicated to keeping the land wild and beautiful for generations to come.
From Tennessee to Alabama to Mississippi, you can make your drive along the expansive Natchez Trace Parkway as long or as short as you'd like it to be. Plan ahead, bring a snack, and get ready to drive one of the most legendary roads in the United States.