Natchez Trace Website for exit info.

Made the trip South to North last August. Watch for wildlife. Didn't see much, but buddy 3-4 blocks behind me said I spooked a lot of deer and turkey out of cover.
WATCH YOUR SPEED. Was crusing 50 mph and passed a ranger who had a cage stopped southbound. Gave us the evil eye while I rode by & did one of those deep in the sideditch u-turn. Was on my buddys fender for an hour.

The restaurant at French Camp had great home made food. Same for fried chicken at Lovelace Cafe at the north end.

 

Greetings Dave I'm just 25 miles or so from Grafton usually in Morgantown sometimes in Preston county. Enjoy your ride up here and shoot me an email if you need anything!



I just watched a special on TV last week where they were discussing Meriwether Lewis. They mentioned some thought he may have committed suicide but evidence suggested murder. I think they said he was on his way to DC and stopped in an Inn when it happened. That area was known for having highway men praying on travelers.

 

I was just looking at this route earlier today. Looks like a good ride and should have light traffic this time of year. We are leaving Sunday and decided not to chance the weather in VA and the BRP. This looks like a good alternative. Weather looks to be decent. Some rain and temps at least in the 50's to near 70 next week. We'll have 7 days with no set schedule. We can adjust as needed for weather. I don't plan to go to far north unless the temps are in the 50's. I know the weather is hit or miss in the south in March when fronts push though. Just have to be flexible.

Our auto train BRP trip will be in July now.

 

The weather has been freaky about everywhere this winter but you should be good up to Nashville.
If you make it to Nashville may want to take in a few bars for the music and we've always enjoyed the dinner cruise on the General Jackson Showboat.

 

I rode it a couple of years ago, started in Natchez late and spent the night in Jackson, MS. I did it on a weekday and rarely saw any traffic. Did come across a check point in the middle of nowhere, a Park Ranger and a Highway Patrol, hadn't seen a car in an hour or so and Bam, there they are, they seem pretty serious about the speed limit. Did check for a motorcycle endorsement, insurance etc.

 

Being from Mississippi I have lived just off the Trace for significant portion of my life. I have been from one end to the other and have been up and down the Mississippi portion hundreds of times. Everyone here has made some good comments but there are a few things you need to know to make your trip successful and enjoyable.

First of the all the speed limit is 50 MPH and it is STRICTLY ENFORCED. The Natchez Trace is a National Park so it is under the jurisdiction of the NPS and the Federal Government. The Park Rangers that patrol the Trace are extremely strict with speeding and other traffic laws (DOT Helmets, Inspections, etc.). At one time in my career part of the Trace went through my jurisdiction and I have even seen them try to give other law enforcement officers in marked vehicles citations while on duty just to give you an idea of how strict they are. Personally I like the 50 MPH speed limit and the fact that it doesn't allow any commercial traffic. Somedays I just get on Trace and cruise around at 50 not having any idea where I'm going.

Another thing is that the NPS (National Park Service) has a tendancy to close sections of the Park from time to time, especially around Jackson. You may want to check this out before you go. If it is closed in the Jackson area when you are passing through, you want to avoid West Jackson (the area where the Trace enters Jackson) and I-220 (the I-State that Bypasses around Jxn). West Jackson is an extremely crime ridden area and I-220 is a state sanctioned demolition derby. I personally would not ride by bike down 220 under any circumstances.

Another thing about the Trace in Central Mississippi that I think you should know is the traffic. In the last 15 years the population in Jackson has moved from the city North to Madison (a suburb). This mass move has caused traffic congestion and as a result local people in Madison and Ridgeland are using the Trace from Madison to Clinton as a main thoroughfare. So although 90% of Trace is nice and peaceful it can get hectic and bumper to bumper during certain times of the day in those areas. I would just plan accordingly and avoid the section between Clinton and Madison (especially Madison and Jackson) during typical rush hour times.

One last thing I feel compelled to make you aware of is that it is not uncommon to see wildlife such as Deer and Turkey crossing the road so be careful. Being from Arkansas I'm sure you are already used to that.

Other than that the Trace is extremely peaceful and relaxing.

Now some of the awesome things.

If you are starting in the South and going North, the very beginning is awesome to me. Nathcez is a pretty neat place. There are many places to visit, one of my favorites is Under The Hill Saloon www.underthehillsaloon.com right on the river. Its an awesome little saloon/tavern that used to have rooms upstairs (I think they still do). It is right on the Mississippi River and you can look out the front door and look down on the river and the traffic that goes up and down it. It is a very motorcycle friendly bar and I don't think I have ever been there when there wasn't at least 4 or 5 motorcycles parked out front. There is also numerous other similar places to go. A new restaurant opened up (in the last several years) just South of the Natchez city limits on Hwy 61 called Roux 61. I have eaten there a few times, its popular and its pretty good.

As others have said, that once you go North a few miles there is the Windsor Ruins just outside of the small town of Port Gibson. It is very beautiful but not much to it. It is off the beaten path and will take you longer to get there than the time you spend at the site. It is a very curvy two lane road leading to it that can be very fun to ride.

Also, like others have said, about a 1.5 -2 hours in your trip you will come close to Vicksburg. The Trace doesn't actually go through Vicksburg, but there are two exits ideal to getting off to visit. One is about 25 miles South of Vicksburg near the town of Utica and the other is Clinton (Jxn metropolitan area) and I-20 about 25 miles East of Vicksburg. It is a little out of the way but if you are a Civil War buff, you'll love Vicksburg.

Not much between Vicksburg and the City of Jackson but once you get on the North end of the metropolitan area (Madison) there is a very popular and motorcycle friendly bar and restaurant called Shuckers Oyster Bar www.shuckersontherez.com a very popular spot for local riders and there are usually dozens of motorcycles there, on the weekends any way. When I'm home me and my friends usually get on the Trace go straight there. The have bands on the weekend, its right on the Reservoir. Its a great place to stop. There are also many nice places to eat around there let me know and I will tell you some places.

Once you get out of the Jackson Metro area it is pretty much smooth sailing until you get to Tupelo. Tupelo is one of my favorite cities in Mississippi. Tupelo is a beautiful small city with a lot to offer. It is very clean and safe, almost everything is newly constructed and most importantly it is the birthplace of the King. The only thing it is lacking, in my opinion, is nightlife. Of course there are the typical restaurants with a bar like Outback and things of that nature, but they have only a couple of places that have live music and maybe only one that plays live music during the week. It's been about a year since I've been there so things may have changed. Either way Tupelo is a wonder place to stop, visit, and even spend the night.

After that it is pretty much smooth sailing again unitil you get into Alabama and Tenneessee. Now as others have said there are numerous historical sites all along the Trace and most of them have markers to guide you so I didn't mention every little one. I will be in Vicksburg a good bit this year and if you do decide to stop in Vicksburg let me know (PM me and I'll give you cantact info) and we can meet up and I'll show you around. Also if you break down near by remember I have a trailer and I will gladly come and pick up any of your traveling party and help get you to a place where you can get the help you need.

There maybe a few things I have missed so feel free to ask me any questions. I hope this helped.

 

Thanks for the info Mach. We're leaving FL Sunday morning heading to Natchez. I'll be setting the cruise on the speed limit.

 

Yes very useful Machiavelli, thank you.

 

you are going to see folks on the trace and most do not run 50 mph The bikes run about 60 mph or faster. Plus, you will not see me run 50 except around Jackson and Tupelo. The police have always been very nice to me and all my riding buddies. I will be riding the trace in May for sure. Ride safe....and watch for Deer!

 

"I-220 is a state sanctioned demolition derby" I like that.