Natchez Trace Riders
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 24
Likes: 4
From: Nicholasville, Ky
With any luck, I will see you on the Trace! Stay in touch. My cell number is 859 312-3264 Billy
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 2,261
From: Ft. Wayne IN
I took the Trace years ago from near Aberdeen, MS (lived there) down to Madison, MS in a car. Speed limit was 50. The 40 mph section is up near Nashville, I believe. It's a very peaceful, sometimes boring ride. You have to get off the Trace to find gas, restaurants, towns. I hear that the TN section is more scenic with winding roads (that's why it's 40 mph). I may try some of it next year, however, since I may do a trip down there to see places where I used to live (Aberdeen, Madison, Hattiesburg).
https://www.nps.gov/natr/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm
https://www.nps.gov/natr/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Florida
I will be retiring in about 4 or 5 months. My wife and I are planning on riding the Trace from Nashville area to Natchez. We are looking at late May or early June time frame and are going to take about a week for the round trip and back to central Ky. Any recommendations for places to stop and places to stay would be appreciated. We haven't been on the Trace before, nor have we ever been to Mississippi. Round trip will be well over a thousand miles. Super excited to go!
I would suggest that before you travel the Trace, you research the history as it will open up a different perspective to the experience.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 11
"The most boring road I have ever been on.....Plan an alternative route back because after riding the whole thing in one direction you probably won't ever want to see it again."
This. Couldn't agree more.
This. Couldn't agree more.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 5,947
Likes: 5,153
From: Louisiana
A lot of what was said above is true. I enjoyed the ride.
Tupelo Ms is a good overnight stop if you are going motel and depending on how much time you stop at scenic or historic sites. It is a little less than halfway coming from the north. I've made the run a couple times since I live 35 miles from the Trace on the Natchez end, but never made the full run. The last run about a month ago, I went as far as Tupelo and spent the night. I wanted to go on into Nashville the next day but something came up and I had to go back to the house the next day.
They were doing some serious road construction just north of Clinton Ms and I had to take a detour with little to no directions coming from the north as you will be doing. They had part of the road slide off is what I was told. I lucked up and was coming from the south and decided to stop by the welcome center in Clinton and they had copies of a hand drawn map for the detour. Had to take to the interstate for a bit but I was back on the Trace pretty quick. They ought to have that fixed by the time you are thinking about taking the Trace.
Watch out early morning, evening and night. Deer are plentiful.
If you PM me your mailing address, I have a nice map of the Trace showing all the historic sites, picnic areas, camping areas, places to get off and get gas, food, etc. It's yours free for the asking if you want it. All it will cost me is a stamp to get it to you.
I made a few scribbles on it, mostly where I had to detour.
Tupelo Ms is a good overnight stop if you are going motel and depending on how much time you stop at scenic or historic sites. It is a little less than halfway coming from the north. I've made the run a couple times since I live 35 miles from the Trace on the Natchez end, but never made the full run. The last run about a month ago, I went as far as Tupelo and spent the night. I wanted to go on into Nashville the next day but something came up and I had to go back to the house the next day.
They were doing some serious road construction just north of Clinton Ms and I had to take a detour with little to no directions coming from the north as you will be doing. They had part of the road slide off is what I was told. I lucked up and was coming from the south and decided to stop by the welcome center in Clinton and they had copies of a hand drawn map for the detour. Had to take to the interstate for a bit but I was back on the Trace pretty quick. They ought to have that fixed by the time you are thinking about taking the Trace.
Watch out early morning, evening and night. Deer are plentiful.
If you PM me your mailing address, I have a nice map of the Trace showing all the historic sites, picnic areas, camping areas, places to get off and get gas, food, etc. It's yours free for the asking if you want it. All it will cost me is a stamp to get it to you.
I made a few scribbles on it, mostly where I had to detour.
Last edited by Down South; Dec 11, 2019 at 10:19 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 800
Likes: 408
From: Middle Tennessee
I live just south of Nashville and have ridden the northern part many times. The section near Nashville is 40 mph but changes to 50 after a few miles.
Historical and scenic, plan to stop often to take in the history of the trace. The road is well maintained and smooth. I would plan to get off of the trace an hour or so before dark. Ive ridden it back home near dusk and deer and critters start moving at dusk, lots of them.
As mentioned, the Loveless cafe is really good, Pucketts in Columbia also has great food. Im sure plenty of other good stops further south.
The road can get boring. It isnt for fast transit, more of a leisurely ride thru the countryside. I like it, others may not.
Enjoy your trip!
edit, As mentioned above, get a map. They are usually available at the many historical stops but I have also seen the map bins empty. I have an old worn one that I keep in my bag. The Tennessee dept of tourism may mail you one if you contact them.
Plan your gas stops, you will need to exit the trace for fuel. I almost ran out once trying to push too far. Cell service can be iffy in some areas.
Historical and scenic, plan to stop often to take in the history of the trace. The road is well maintained and smooth. I would plan to get off of the trace an hour or so before dark. Ive ridden it back home near dusk and deer and critters start moving at dusk, lots of them.
As mentioned, the Loveless cafe is really good, Pucketts in Columbia also has great food. Im sure plenty of other good stops further south.
The road can get boring. It isnt for fast transit, more of a leisurely ride thru the countryside. I like it, others may not.
Enjoy your trip!
edit, As mentioned above, get a map. They are usually available at the many historical stops but I have also seen the map bins empty. I have an old worn one that I keep in my bag. The Tennessee dept of tourism may mail you one if you contact them.
Plan your gas stops, you will need to exit the trace for fuel. I almost ran out once trying to push too far. Cell service can be iffy in some areas.
Last edited by bill from tn; Dec 11, 2019 at 10:28 PM.
