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Must-See Stops on Your Natchez Trace Parkway Road Trip
Renter Guest Posts, Trip Ideas & Guides
A can’t miss destination after renting your campervan is the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway. Guest blogger Katy Clarke highlights her favorite stops on this road trip.
Just south of Nashville is a road begging for a larger-than-life road trip. Stretching 444 miles through three states, the Natchez Trace Parkway is technically a national park, but it’s so much more.
Starting in Nashville, TN, and ambling south to Natchez, MS, the Trace is a local favorite of cyclists and runners because of the low speed limits, lack of traffic, and beautiful rolling hills, but continuing on you can uncover the heart of the Trace: gorgeous scenery, rich history, and that rare chance to take it slow.
Make it an entire road trip by itself, or a fun day trip outside of Nashville.
The Loveless Cafe
It just so happens the Nashville entrance to the Natchez Trace Parkway is right next to the famous Loveless Cafe. If you’re looking for southern cooking with an emphasis on butter and comfort food, I highly recommend a stop.
Loveless is world-famous for two things: their biscuits and the wait time. Served with homemade preserves, the biscuits come out hot and delicious every time and they are well worth the wait.
The last time we went on our way to Natchez Trace Parkway, it was a cold, dreary February morning at 7 am. There were already a surprising number of people inside.
By the time we left, the place was hopping.
Beginning Your Road Trip
Once you start your trip down the Natchez Trace Parkway, you’re bound to notice the scarcity of, well, everything. No street lights, few signs (just reminders that the speed limit is 40 mph, thank you very much), no billboards, and good luck with a cell signal. What you get instead is pretty awesome.
Sights along the Natchez Trace are noted by the mile markers–small wooden signs that mark the progress of your trip. Forget your GPS on this trip, you’ll be going old school.
Top Stops Along the Way
Mile 438: Birdsong Hollow and Double Arch Bridge
You have the opportunity to see this impressive bridge from both above and below. Along the Natchez Trace Parkway, there’s a parking area and scenic overlook, and just south of the bridge you can exit and check out the bridge from below on Highway 96.
Mile 438: Birdsong Hollow and Double Arch Bridge
You have the opportunity to see this impressive bridge from both above and below. Along the Natchez Trace Parkway, there’s a parking area and scenic overlook, and just south of the bridge you can exit and check out the bridge from below on Highway 96.
Mile 428: Leiper’s Fork
If you want to take a quick side trip off the Trace, Leiper’s Fork is just the cute, quirky little town to pull you off. Exit the Natchez Trace Parkway at milepost 428 and follow the signs to the historic district.
There a few restaurants in this cute little area, but the one you want to hit is Puckett’s Grocery. This little gem holds great food, live music, and a fun atmosphere, so it’s well worth the side trip.
Mile 391.9: Fall Hallow Falls
My favorite at Natchez Trace Parkway! Your first encounter with this waterfall is literally 10 feet from the road. However, you can continue hiking down a windy, rocky trail to be rewarded with other smaller falls and eventually make it down to the base.
And that’s just the start. You’ve got hundreds of miles of road and 10,000 years of history left to explore. Slow down and enjoy Natchez Trace Parkway!