Russet, bright orange, deep red, gold, brown, dark purple, and varying shades of green … those are the colors of Autumn, and the best place to enjoy them is the Natchez Trace Parkway. In fact, I would venture to say that this beautiful season is incomplete without a scenic drive down the Trace.
For those who might not be familiar with this travel corridor, it runs 444 miles through three states, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, with 310 miles running through our home state. The Mississippi portion of the Natchez Trace runs from Natchez to the Alabama border near Tishomingo, running directly through Tupelo, where the Parkway headquarters is located.
To make the most of an Autumn drive via the Trace, travelers might want to make a few stops and take an enjoyable hike along one of the dozens of nature trails spread along the Parkway (https://www.nps.gov/natr/planyourvisit/trails-by-area-along-the-natchez-trace-parkway.htm). But if hiking is out, visitors can stop to read and learn from the more than 100 historical markers and signs posted along the Parkway.
To plan a few stops at these historic sites, the Historical Marker Database offers an extensive list with short descriptions of all these historic markers (https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?Search=Series&SeriesID=222). To be honest, it can be overwhelming to try and choose which markers to visit, considering that the Natchez Trace is a literal journey through thousands of years of our nation’s past, including the history of early American Indians (including multiple burial mounds), generations of settlers and settlements, as well as the Civil War.
Plus, the Trace connects travelers to several Mississippi National Parks, and the well-maintained grounds are absolutely gorgeous at this time of year. With everything from rocky foothills and majestic forests to bayous, rivers, and lakes, I would definitely recommend visiting one or more of our state’s parks.
One of our family’s personal favorites is Tishomingo State Park, located at the far northeastern corner of our state near the Alabama border. The 200-foot swinging bridge is a must-see. Suspended above Bear Creek, this beautiful bridge was built in the 1930s of native stone and steel cables.
Photo credit: Tishco.news
Tishomingo Park also offers a variety of hiking trails, multiple fishing sites, a disc golf course, a volleyball court, playgrounds, picnic tables, grills, and pavilions spread throughout the park. Rock climbing is also an option, but a permit is required. For permit details or to learn about Seasonal Canoe Trips, call the Park Office at 662-438-6914 or 1-800-GO PARKS.
For those who are interested in enjoying the seasonal beauty of this park a little longer, reservations can also be made by telephone or online at: https://www.mdwfp.com/parks-destinations/park/tishomingo-state-park. With 61 RV campsites, 14 primitive campsite areas, 6 cabins (some of which have recently been extensively renovated), as well as group facilities, Tishomingo State Park has something to offer everyone.
So, go ahead and plan a trip along Mississippi’s Natchez Trace Parkway now – before the gorgeous colors of Autumn are gone.
