The Natchez Trace Parkway 2016 Steve Ritter Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Denise Miller at the Parkway’s annual volunteer banquet. This annual award goes to a Parkway volunteer who has shown exceptional commitment during the year.

A special program of dulcimer music will be provided by the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at the Parkway Visitor Center located at milepost 266 near Tupelo, Mississippi.

During October 2016, the Natchez Trace Parkway experienced an increase in the number of recreational visits over the 2015 figures,” stated Superintendent Mary Risser. “This year, 531,211 visitors used the Parkway during October 2016 compared to 518,523 who were counted in 2015.

Beginning Monday, November 28, 2016, until further notice, the Mount Locust Site along the Natchez Trace Parkway begins winter operating hours. Hours of operation will be 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Wednesday through Sunday.

The Natchez Trace Parkway and the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi invite visitors to view travel posters created by graphic design students at Mississippi State University in celebration of the National Park Service Centennial.

The Tombigbee Pioneer Group will demonstrate pioneer era crafts and skills at the Parkway Visitor Center, from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm on November 26, 2016. The demonstrations will show the challenges faced and creative solutions developed by those Americans who lived in the area from the 1700s to around 1840.

The Natchez Trace Parkway invites visitors to enjoy the talents and sounds of local musicians at the Parkway Information Cabin on Saturday, November 19, 2016 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.

Natchez Trace Parkway Volunteer Mr. Pat Arinder will present a special 45-minute Junior Ranger program on prehistoric American Indian tools at 10:00 a.m. at the Parkway Visitor Center on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

It’s that time of year again. As food sources change, so do the habits of deer and other mammals that live along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Park Rangers report that 90% of all reported motor vehicle collisions involving deer happen between the months of September and March. “One third of all motor vehicle collisions on the Parkway involve deer. Of those, 90% occur in fall and winter months,” stated Chief Ranger Sarah Davis.

The Natchez Trace Parkway will host an art exhibit by students from the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma, and present the Chickasaw Nation’s film, First Encounter, throughout the month of November to commemorate American Indian Heritage Month.

The Natchez Trace Parkway invites children and their families to come enjoy the Read with a Ranger program at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 12, 2016, at the Parkway Visitor Center.

“During August 2016, the Natchez Trace Parkway experienced an increase in the number of recreational visits over the 2015 figures,” stated Superintendent Mary Risser. “This year, 489,367 visitors used the Parkway during September 2016 compared to 476,061 who were counted in 2015.”

A special program of dulcimer music will be provided by the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 5, 2016, at the Parkway Visitor Center located at milepost 266 near Tupelo, Mississippi.

Due to elevated forest fire danger, the Natchez Trace Parkway has placed burn restrictions on all open fires effective immediately. This burn ban is effective immediately for the following counties in Mississippi and Alabama…

As part of the National Park Service new strategy to enhance employee safety, the Natchez Trace Parkway’s Safety, Health, and Wellness Committee developed an Award Coin program.

During August 2016, the Natchez Trace Parkway experienced an increase in the number of recreational visits over the 2015 figures.