Touring - Touring Natchez Trace Parkway

Does anyone else tour the Natchez Trace Parkway?

I did the Trace in March of 2002. Nice ride except for the detour around Jackson. Surprised how nice people were to a Northerner. Road surface was good most of the way except for the chip coat around AL and northern Mississippi. Maybe do it again in a few years. Hopefully Jackson detour will be no more and Trace will be a straight through shoot.

I am thinking about it. I am planning to be down in Louisiana in September and am contemplating bringing my touring bike and riding home via the Trace.

I am thinking about it. I am planning to be down in Louisiana in September and am contemplating bringing my touring bike and riding home via the Trace.

I have toured it twice and it is awesome!!! It is really scenic. A lot of people do not like it because exits are far and few between. But I am the kind that I like that solitude from civilization for 1 week out of the year! Plus, it is sparse enough that you can pull off of the road and go back into the woods and camp for the night. That's what I really like about it.

Don't let the rangers catch you doing that. I got warned to get off of trace twice at dusk when I toured on Trace 2 years ago. Once at Culbert's Ferry and once near Cherokee AL. They were concerned about me being hit by a car or stopping at a rest stop and camping where I shouldn't.

Other than that it was a nice ride.

Don't let the rangers catch you doing that. I got warned to get off of trace twice at dusk when I toured on Trace 2 years ago. Once at Culbert's Ferry and once near Cherokee AL. They were concerned about me being hit by a car or stopping at a rest stop and camping where I shouldn't.

Other than that it was a nice ride.

I agree, they are pretty strict. That's why I go to sleep right at sunset so that I don't have lights shining in the woods for anyone to see me. I just have my radio going.

Does anyone else tour the Natchez Trace Parkway?

A friend and myself plan on Touring the Trace from Nashville to Natchez May 15-22nd. :)

A friend and myself plan on Touring the Trace from Nashville to Natchez May 15-22nd. :)

I am touring next weekend from Nashville to Jackson, MS. I can't wait!

BTW, are you all camping for staying at motels?

Some friends of mine did the Trace a few years back. Said it was one of the best rides they had ever done.

Enjoy. i would be too.
Camping 5 nights, hotels in Tupelo, Jackson & Natchez.

We're gonna take a trial ride next Friday and Sat from our home in Joelton to Herndon, KY and back.
A test of gear and man.

I am touring next weekend from Nashville to Jackson, MS. I can't wait!

BTW, are you all camping for staying at motels?

Make sure you stop at Gaf's Buffet in Kosciusko. It is located right off of the Trace. Probably one of the best places to eat on the Trace. Excellent food and reasonably priced.

Make sure you stop at Gaf's Buffet in Kosciusko. It is located right off of the Trace. Probably one of the best places to eat on the Trace. Excellent food and reasonably priced.

Where is it located? Tennessee or Mississippi?

Located in Mississippi. Oprah's hometown. North of Jackson MS.

Where is it located? Tennessee or Mississippi?

Kosciusko is in Mississippi.

Thanks VonAlt

Kosciusko is a nice place to take rest day or over night stop. Natchez Trace Biker campsite on edge of town and the usual stores to stock up are there.

Kosciusko is a nice place to take rest day or over night stop. Natchez Trace Biker campsite on edge of town and the usual stores to stock up are there.
Pretty sure we're planning on camping at the bikers only campsite there.

Make sure you get the updated maps from the NPS Ranger Stations. They are very helpful. Also introduce yourself to the patrol rangers. They can be your guardian angels. Most of then are pretty nice people.

Make sure you get the updated maps from the NPS Ranger Stations. They are very helpful. Also introduce yourself to the patrol rangers. They can be your guardian angels. Most of then are pretty nice people.

Is it legal to camp anywhere on the trace? I thought it was. The last two times I have toured to trace, I have stealth camped. I was afraid if I introduced myself to the rangers, they might become suspicous of me camping back in the woods and not at one of the camp sites.

I hate to burst your bubble but in many locations the Trace is only a few yards wider than the road surface itself. Then it is private property. Usually there is a line fence between the Trace property and the private property so it can be somewhat difficult to find a place to "Stealth Camp". What I liked about the Biker campsites is that they were about a day's ride apart, had water, restroom facilities, and were close to the ranger office or maintenance facility. To each his own but for me I did like the idea if I had a problem I didnt have to go far to get aid.