Old Natchez Trace
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Grays Creek, NC
Old Natchez Trace
I'm taking 25 days leave before retireing from the Army and thinking about hitting the Natchez Trace before I move back to NC.
Has anyone ever done it and camped out on the way?
From here at Ft Polk in central La I could do the whole thing in about two days maybe one if I wanted seeing I'm going solo.
But after watching a cool youtube video from the crazy dozen I think I would like to make it a three or four day trip maybe longer so I can relax and see the sites.I would really like to add to the trip by being able to camp out and meet and visit with others on the road at night by a camp fire and a few beers, I'm a bit of a ******. Ive seen camping sites off of the trace but just looking for advice of to and not to stay for tent camping.
Also any secret places to hit that are worth getting off the trace for a few miles would be great.
I'm tracking the slower speed limits and don't have an issue with that and have all the Harley dealers locked into my garmin in case the need to find one happens.
Please feel free to post pics and concerns, I'll be trying for this early to mid April.
Thanks
Has anyone ever done it and camped out on the way?
From here at Ft Polk in central La I could do the whole thing in about two days maybe one if I wanted seeing I'm going solo.
But after watching a cool youtube video from the crazy dozen I think I would like to make it a three or four day trip maybe longer so I can relax and see the sites.I would really like to add to the trip by being able to camp out and meet and visit with others on the road at night by a camp fire and a few beers, I'm a bit of a ******. Ive seen camping sites off of the trace but just looking for advice of to and not to stay for tent camping.
Also any secret places to hit that are worth getting off the trace for a few miles would be great.
I'm tracking the slower speed limits and don't have an issue with that and have all the Harley dealers locked into my garmin in case the need to find one happens.
Please feel free to post pics and concerns, I'll be trying for this early to mid April.
Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,980
Likes: 5,218
From: Michigan
JMHO:
I think the "southern" part of the Trace has better scenery.
The first time I did the "Trace" was on my bike in 2000 and I rode from north-to-south and I exited and spent the night in Tupelo, MS and that was as far as I got on that trip.
The second time, was in 2009 and I was in a convertible with my wife and we were traveling with another couple (also in a convertible) and we drove from south-to-north.
We didn't do a lot of stopping to check out the many sights and attractions but if you like to do those things I could see it taking almost a week.
The drive/ride its self is slow and slightly curvy with an occasional rise.
After a while it starts to get boring, but sometimes you'll spot deer so be careful if you're riding either early in the morning or evening.
It's worth doing once, but it's not as pretty as the BRP, or even the SLD.
I think the "southern" part of the Trace has better scenery.
The first time I did the "Trace" was on my bike in 2000 and I rode from north-to-south and I exited and spent the night in Tupelo, MS and that was as far as I got on that trip.
The second time, was in 2009 and I was in a convertible with my wife and we were traveling with another couple (also in a convertible) and we drove from south-to-north.
We didn't do a lot of stopping to check out the many sights and attractions but if you like to do those things I could see it taking almost a week.
The drive/ride its self is slow and slightly curvy with an occasional rise.
After a while it starts to get boring, but sometimes you'll spot deer so be careful if you're riding either early in the morning or evening.
It's worth doing once, but it's not as pretty as the BRP, or even the SLD.
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Grays Creek, NC
I'm moving back to NC after I retire just to be able to get up into the mountains and see the BRP again, but while I'm so close I figured why not. The good thing about being on leave for that long is if I don't like the ride I'm on then I can always just leave and ride somewhere else. After I'm out were looking at a cross country ride and maybe getting down to the Keys and back. I just don't ever see myself leaving NC to make a special trip just to do the trace. From the Videos I saw there were a couple places I wanted to see and do but most of the roads did look flat but I'll give her a go anyways.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 861
Likes: 1
From: NW Louisiana
Did the Trace from South to North two years ago. It is all in the eye of the beholder. I found it to be the most serene ride I have ever taken. Slow yes, but very relaxing. I did tent camp 9 miles North of French Camp at Jeff Busby Park. The place was loaded with Motorhomes and Trailers. I was invited to camp behind one of the motorhomes for the night. No Rangers were at the park and their is no gasoline as listed in the brochures, nor any place to eat at the park. The park is at mile marker 193.1 from Natchez. Kosciusko has motels but you might want to call early for a reservaton. French Camp also has a restaurant and visitor center. The next day I rode into Nashville to visit relatives. A day later I entered the Trace from the North and rode South. Leaving Early May to do another ride up the Trace but getting on at Jackson, MS heading North to Nashville. I highly recommend it. You can get all the information on the Trace on the internet and can request a map and brochures from the National Park sight. You will find a Park Vistors Center in Natchez at the entry to the Trace. You won't regret it. You can get a 10 day forecast off the Weather Channel.
Last edited by snakeinthegrass; Mar 13, 2013 at 09:45 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 12
From: NoVA
My first time riding the Trace was around ten years ago. Like Snake I found it very peaceful. There's a cypress and tupulo swamp just north of Jackson with an almost glow in the dark green that I photographed quite a bit of. I enjoyed that swamp so much I went back two years later in my van with large format equipment to shoot it in black&white. At that time the camping was free.
It's not a ride that you take as a challenge, to crank turns and scrape footboards. You need to let the Trace come to you. To walk sections of the old trace, to feel it's history. When you walk in the sunken trace, allow yourself to go back 150-200 years. It's dark and filled with shadows. In those shadows you may find the beauty of the trace.
I retired in Virginia to be near Skyline and the BRP. But I go back to the Trace every few years to find the serenity and introspection that is at the heart of the Natchez Trace.
It's a perfect ride for the solo tourer. To look back on your years of service and contemplate the future. It is not for those that demand to be entertained. The only people that enjoy the trace are at peace with themselves.
It's not a ride that you take as a challenge, to crank turns and scrape footboards. You need to let the Trace come to you. To walk sections of the old trace, to feel it's history. When you walk in the sunken trace, allow yourself to go back 150-200 years. It's dark and filled with shadows. In those shadows you may find the beauty of the trace.
I retired in Virginia to be near Skyline and the BRP. But I go back to the Trace every few years to find the serenity and introspection that is at the heart of the Natchez Trace.
It's a perfect ride for the solo tourer. To look back on your years of service and contemplate the future. It is not for those that demand to be entertained. The only people that enjoy the trace are at peace with themselves.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 532
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From: A wee bit North of Florida (Ohio)
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
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From: Bloomfield, NM
Rode all of the Trace from North to South in 2003. Nice slow pace with a lot of history, scenery, and wild life. Watch out for the turtles.
I enjoyed it.
Bill
I enjoyed it.
Bill
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: CA
Rode the Trace several years ago. Great ride, as long as you're not in a hurry. It's an ideal road for just putting along and enjoying the scenery. Try to imagine what it was like to ride a horse through there in the 1800's. Very relaxing. Lot of history along the way. Stop at the displays and exhibits often.
We camped along the way in some nice campgrounds, can't remember the names of them now. Watch out for red ants and mosquitos though.
We camped along the way in some nice campgrounds, can't remember the names of them now. Watch out for red ants and mosquitos though.
