Celebrating the NPS Centennial on the Natchez Trace Parkway
The National Park Service is gearing up to celebrate 100 years of service in preserving America’s natural and historical treasures. The official Centennial date is August 25, 2016, and you’re invited to the party!
If you find yourself in the Southeastern United States this August, we hope you’ll stop by because the celebration has already started here on the Natchez Trace!
With special events across the country, and free admission to all 412 national parks from August 25 – August 28, the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation is encouraging everyone to #FindYourPark.
With 444-miles of scenic byway curving from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to the muddy banks of the Mississippi River, there’s plenty to see and do along the Natchez Trace Parkway. And if 100 years isn’t enough history for your celebration, the Trace is the place! Home to more than 10,000 years of North American history, you can trace the footsteps of American Indians, “Kaintucks,” settlers, and future presidents. Long before the National Park Service, or our country for that matter, the Old Trace played an important role in American history.
Today, visitors can enjoy not only a scenic drive but also hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the way. And as you leisurely make your way up (or down) the historic route, be sure to pull off at the wayside exhibits and interpretive sites. These interesting sites offer a great way to learn while enjoying the natural, historic wonders of the Trace. A full list of fun sites, attractions, and the unique communities along the route is available here.
Already declared a National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road, the Parkway’s picturesque scenery and historic charm isn’t going unnoticed. That’s why Country Living Magazine recently named the Natchez Trace one of America’s Most 25 Beautiful Scenic Byways while the U.S. Department of the Interior noted the Trace among America’s Best Drives.
What are you waiting for? Celebrate and participate in Find Your Park Experiences to learn, discover, and have fun on the historic Natchez Trace this Centennial Celebration! If you’re looking for a few materials to plan your trip, get your free Natchez Trace Visitors Guide and view maps and brochures.
Before you hit the road, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest to check out photos and share your story with us. #TheNatchezTrace #FindYourPark
The National Park Service is an agency of the U.S. Federal Government that was founded in 1916. NPS manages all of our national park sites, and promotes historical preservation and conservation efforts at sites across the country. For a century since its creation by the National Park Service Organic Act, NPS has been connecting tourists from all over the worlds with the magic of the American wilderness. Happy 100th Birthday, NPS!
Want to travel beyond the Trace? Visit the National Park Service site for a full guide to the Centennial celebration as well as exciting parks and events across the country.
