Natchez Trace

[Overlander & Sea]

Originally Posted by scubachris

I know this is late, but you should eat at the King's Tavern. It is old and awesome.

I think the King's Tavern is in Natchez AND (I think) a follow Airforums member, NatchezBear, is the owner---or at least he was a few years ago.

[clancy_boy]

Going near McComb - the Dinner Bell restaurant is an old time lazy suzie style southern food eatery. A lost tradition in the south and going away fast. Good food.

[1985air345]

1) DON'T SPEED! The Trace is a Federal highway. They really enforce the speed limit and the fines are steep!

2) There is a really nice RV park just off the trace in near the Reservoir near Jackson. I spent two months there during a job change. It is very close to the trace and right on the lake.

ROSS BARNETT/TIMBERLAKE CAMPGROUND
143 TIMBERLAKE DR
BRANDON, MS 39047
(601) 992-9100

[Don McKelvay]

We highly recommend stopping at Mile 266 French Camp. They have 'fantastic' sandwiches and soup - not a big place but a real wood fire and a few tables. They were so good we had to buy more to take with us. Usually there is enough parking for several large rigs.

[Chief]

We have ridden the Trace bottom-top, top-bottom, and some in the middle during our Harley days. Our most recent trip (with the Airstream) was last October, when we drove from Jackson, MS to Nashville, TN.

You have gotten some good suggestions thus far, especially the note about "not" speeding. Unless you really plan to delve into the historical aspects of the Trace, I think seven days is going to be a bit much. The first time we rode our bike from Natchez to Nashville, it was really entertaining (with a stopover in Tupelo). But, after a couple of days in Nashville, we rode back South and I have to admit that it was a bit boring on the return trip. The most scenic part of the Trace is the northern portion. If I was planning your trip, I would allow 3-4 days for the Trace, 1-2 days for touring Nashville, and the remainder for the return trip to NOLA via a different route.

Make sure and stop in the Jackson Welcome Center for coffee and great Trace info. The afore mentioned suggestion to stop for lunch at French Lick is one to really consider. The first pic is of their famous BLT (best I have ever eaten) and soup.

Second pic is Trace State Park outside Tupelo.......great paved, full-hookup sites, on the water........lousy roads to the park.

Third pic is the view of the bridge in TN from the observation point off the parking lot......plenty of room for parking.

Fourth pic is one of the many bridges spanning the Trace.

If you decide to spend a few days in Nashville.......I recommend Seven Points Campground (a Corps campground on J. Percy Priest just outside of Nashville). There are a few commercial campgrounds (overpriced) near Opryland, including a KOA where we stayed once. If you want to see Nashville quickly and economically, I recommend Grey Line tours.

Hope some of this helps.

Safe travels,
Chief

[TouringDan]

Chief

Great photos! After looking at those and your write up, I think that I need to plan a trip down the trace.

Dan

[Hodum]

The Trace is a wonderful trip for Airstreamers. I lived at Collinwood, TN for over 27 years and traveled the Trace almost daily on short trips and regularly on other trips to Nashville and sometimes Natchez. Now I live at Corinth, MS and love taking the trace with my Airstream. We recently got on the Trace at Tupelo and went to Natchez. What a relaxing trip, all laid back and fun. Just below Jackson the road has several places that are uneven enough to cause that rocking chair effect that alarms me. I know it is not good for my trailer. I avoided that section of the Trace on the return trip.
If you love a picnic there is a area called Glen Rock Branch about 10 miles north of Collinwood, TN that has proven to be a favorite of ours. It is all a great trip with no disappointments.

[gatorboy]

WoW! I envy you. I have done the Trace three times on a motorcycle.
Check with the MS. State visitors center in Natchez. The casinos often have great deals on rooms and terrific buffets for poco dinero.
Natchez Under-the Hill is a great place to have a bourbon and watch the sun set over the river. You should really spend a day in Natchez and tour a couple of the anti-bellum mansions that are open to the public. When Admiral Farragut steamed up the Miss. River, Natchez surrendered immediatly, thus saving some incredible architecture, unlike those Rebs in Vicksburg.
If you are not from the South, start eating lots of fried food now. Your digestive tract will thank you later.
A great photo opportunity at the Cypress Swamp.
I would recommend that you get off the Trace at MS522. This will take you through Alcorn, home of Alcorn State, one of the most kick-ass college marching bands in America. Ultimately, you will see a turn-off for Windsor Ruins, a ruined plantation whos only remains are some Greek columns. Really haunting.
After getting back on the Trace,
get off again on MS27 and follow the signs to Vicksburg NMP. Next year is the 150 anniv. of the fall of Vicksburg, so they will probably be gearing up, but you won't get the crowds. Definately worth the detour.
Get back on the Trace and get past Jackson ASAP.
Kosciusco has a Visitor Center and is the home of Oprah if you're interested.
Back on the Trace, check out French Camp, one of the old inns on the Trace.
Jeff Busby is a nice place to camp.
Next stop is Tupelo. Birthplace of Elvis. Need I say more? Get a T-Shirt for every kid you know. You will be Tres Kool!
Toshomingo State Park is a great place to camp.
Tenn has some great pull-outs. Especially the falls.
Not to be missed is Meriwether Lewis (of Lewis and Clark, not Martin and Lewis). This is where he met his maker under dubious circumstances.

This is a great time to de-compress. Don't rush yourselves.
Ask the NPS Rangers at the Visitors Centers for tips on things that interest you, and what they consider must-sees.

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by gatorboy

WoW! I envy you.... follow the signs to Vicksburg NMP. Next year is the 150 anniv. of the fall of Vicksburg, so they will probably be gearing up...

How about some Triva?...
V'burg fell on July 4th...
And so far, there has not been a celebration on July 4th...

I suspect it will be kinda quiet again this year...

For the 150th time...

In spite, the NMP is stunning! The brick streets downtown will still be cool...

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by gatorboy

If you are not from the South, start eating lots of fried food now. Your digestive tract will thank you later.

I've lived in New Orleans for the past 30 years. My digestive tract will NEVER thank me! Especially since I've developed diabetes. However, I have learned over 30 years of exposure to Southern cooking, that cholesterol is a GOOD thing. When I'm old and feeble, and my bones have succumbed to osteoporosis, my arteries will be hard enough to take up the load!

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

How about some Triva?...
V'burg fell on July 4th...
And so far, there has not been a celebration on July 4th...

I suspect it will be kinda quiet again this year...

For the 150th time...

Of course it will be quiet. Nobody likes to celebrate losing.

I work for the Corps of Engineers, and our Division office is in Vicksburg, so I'm pretty familiar with the town, though honestly I haven't done much touristy stuff there except visiting the battlefield park a couple of times.