As summer is coming to a close, we say hello to the beauty that is autumn. The Natchez Trace, a 444-mile-long historic route connecting Natchez, Mississippi, and Nashville, Tennessee, weaves its way through the southern United States. In addition to being a road rich in history, it’s also one of the most beautiful ways to view the season change, especially in the fall. The Trace attracts adventurers and nature lovers worldwide with its fall foliage, beauty, and various activities. Style Blue Print said it best, “The Natchez Trace Parkway is as bold and colorful as it is peaceful.”
Camping along the Trace
Consider setting up camp at one of the numerous campgrounds that cover the parkway as you begin your journey down the Natchez Trace to view the fall colors. Enjoy falling asleep with the sound of rustling leaves while surrounded by a canopy of trees painted in blazing hues. Appreciate old-fashioned camping while pitching up your tent and roasting smores by a fire on crisp autumn nights. With more than a dozen campgrounds along the Natchez Trace Parkway, there is something to suit everyone. For more information check out the complete NPS list of campground locations on and adjacent to the Parkway here.
Hiking through the Trace
Hiking is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the captivating fall foliage of the Natchez Trace. The Trace offers over 60 miles of National Scenic Trail for hiking, and 52 different hiking trails are open year-round. Hiking trails like the Old Trace and Rocky Springs offer a historic pathway and a serene atmosphere. “It wasn’t long before I was back on the parkway near Tishomingo State Park, arguably Mississippi’s most beautiful park and a worthy side trip with its hiking trails, campgrounds, cabins, and a 45-acre lake,” says The New York Times.
A trip down the Natchez Trace Parkway during the fall foliage season is an excursion into autumn. It’s a season that begs you to enjoy the outdoors, a time when the trees transform into vivid colors, and an opportunity to see nature’s magnificent change. Let the Natchez Trace’s autumnal foliage serve as a background for your trips this fall and a reminder to get outside and cherish these moments of life. So, gather your belongings, set out, and savor the Natchez Trace’s beautiful fall foliage scenery. Our friends at NPS even have a few suggestions on where to enjoy the foliage as well as an updated fall color report.
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Blog by Morgan McHaney
