D-NATCHEZ+TRACE+PARKWAY

__ Park Profile __
 * Want to view a map of the entire parkway? Click [|here].

Location: ** Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. **Park Size:** 444 mile parkway. 52, 289 acres of land total. **Climate:** **summer**, hot and humid, high temperatures in the 90s. **winter**, varies depending on where you are. Near Natchez it is very mild, but in Tennessee snow and ice are common. **spring + fall**, generally pleasant. **Region of the US:** [|Southern States.] **Visitors:** It is the seventh most visited in the [|National Park System]. There were 5.7 million recreational visits in 2008. **Popular Sites:** __ History __ In the 17 and 1800s the Natchez Trace was originally a series of trails used mainly by animals and native American Indians, such as the Chickasaw and Choctaw Indians, and later used more and more by European explorers and American settlers. [|Kaintucks] used these trails for trade, and stands were established along the trails where they could stay. It became a significant highway. In 1905, the [|Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)] began a widespread effort to preserve the old American heritage that was washing away. They placed granite markers throughout all of the Old Trace that ran through Mississippi, and other people caught on and continued. Now this parkway is one of America's 125 National Scenic Byways, one of the 27 All-American Roads, and it became a park officially on May 18, 1938, with both historical and natural sites to offer. __ Environment __ The weather in Natchez Trace is pretty mild, with hot, humid summers in the 90s, cold winters with at worst a little freezing in some areas, and nice spring and fall seasons. This park is special because of the extreme diversity of ecosystems provided; from wet lands to many different kinds of forests, as well as a great diversity of animals. The Parkway is also a home to over 40 species of [|reptiles/amphibians], 136 species of [|birds], 33 species of [|mammals], and nearly 2,200 species of plants. One of the main purposes of the parkway is not as a road, it is a preservation and a place where you can view animal life, which is why there is a lower speed limit which must be respected. Because of life merging all around the parkway, it does face the same environmental issues almost any natural area faces today, including air quality issues, watershed contamination, urban development, or the introduction of new species to the ecosystems. The air quality however is moderate and healthy, and there is available drinking water throughout the parkway, with a complete list of available water sites [|here].
 * **__[|Emerald Mound]: Milepost 10.3__** One of the largest mounds in the country. It was made by earth depositing on the side of a natural hill, and has become a 35 foot tall artificial plateau, covering a span of eight acres. During the Mississippian period (1250-1600 AD) it was used as ceremonial ground for ancestors of the Natchez Indians.
 * **__[|Mount Locust]: Milepost 15.5__** One of the oldest structures still intact today, was both a stand where Kaintucks would stay on their journey home through the Natchez and an original cotton plantation. Tours and interpretive programs are available everyday February through November.
 * **__[|Sunken Trace]: Milepost 41.5__** One of the most photographed sites in the park, it literally appears to be a sunken trail due to thousands of people and animals both traveling along this path, made of soil easily eroded.
 * **__Rocky Springs: Milepost 54.8__** A glimpse of an abandoned, historical town on a half-mile long trail. There are also picnic areas, restrooms, and a campground.
 * **__Cypress Swamp: Milepost 122.0__** A self-guiding nature trail through water tupelo/bald cypress swamp.
 * **__French Camp: Milepost 180.7__** Was originally a stand, and became a school in 1822. Now a log cabin where you can stay or visit and learn about life there in the 19th century.
 * **__Chickasaw Village Site: Milepost 261.8__** Representation of Chickasaw village that use to occupy the area, including outlines of different homes and a nature trail with information on how the Chickasaw's used native plants.
 * **__Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center: Milepost 266__** Orientation to the parkway.
 * **__Old Trace: Milepost 269.4__** Short trail through historical site that takes you to the grave sites of 13 Confederate soldiers, the identity and death of whom remain a mystery.
 * **__[|Meriwether Lewis Monument]: Milepost 385.9__** Area where the mysterious death of Meriwether Lewis occurred. Includes gravesite, monument, and a cabin that specifically interprets the life of Meriwether Lewis. Also a campground, picnic area, and hiking trails.
 * **__Fall Hallow Trail: Milepost 391.9__** Short trail leading to numerous small waterfalls.
 * **__Tobacco Farm / Old Trace Drive: Milepost 401.4__** Visit the Tobacco Farm for information on the growing and drying of tobacco, or drive on the Old Trace's "non-walking" trail, with wonderful views of the forest.
 * **__Jackson Falls: Milepost 404.7__** A short and steep paved trail which brings you down 900 feet in elevation and leaves you in a gorge, one of the most popular trails on the parkway.
 * **__Birdsong Hollow: Milepost 438__** Where you can best view the double-arched bridge. The bridge is spectacular, rising 155 feet above the valley below, and has received the Presidential Award for Design Excellence in 1995.

__ Recreation __ // The Natchez Trace Parkway can be enjoyed while **driving, hiking, biking, horseback riding, or camping.** //


 * __ Driving: __** The speed limit generally is 50 mph, but attention should be paid to specific changes in certain areas. Because this is not just a road, but a scenic route, you should certainly slow down and soak the beauty in instead of just driving through. Occasionally roads can close due to dangerous winter conditions, and you can call 1-800-305-7417 for road conditions or visit __[|here]__ for the weather.
 * __ Camping: __** There are many, many campgrounds. Private, public, alone the parkway corridor, in the park itself, outside the park, and with different interests even, such as specific campgrounds for horseback riding or bicycling. Most are free, primitive, and on a first come, first serve basis. There is a complete list of campgrounds available along the parkway [|here.]
 * __ Bicycling: __** Bicycling has become very popular along the Natchez Trace Parkway, and it is an established bicycling route. Still, attention should be paid to traffic and dangerous road conditions. Rules and tips to ensure safe bicycling are [|here]. A list of bicycle-only campgrounds are [|here.]
 * __ Horseback Riding: __** Horseback riding is not allowed just anywhere in the park, but visitors can bring horses to the for designated horse trails and there are private campgrounds nearby which do allow horses. A complete list of rules and regulations regarding horseback riding on the parkway is available [|here].

You can't forget, one of the best ways to enjoy the Parkway is to simply get out of your car and stop and view the beauty.  Especially with no park fee, you cannot afford to miss these beautiful sights: __ Work Cited: __ [|www.nps.gov] [] http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/rrhtml/regions4.html http://www.quantumtour.com/entity/natcheztrace/ http://www.frenchcamp.org/NatchezTrace_site/mainpage.html http://natcheztrace.areaparks.com/weather.html http://www.classbrain.com/artmonument/uploads/natrmap2.pdf http://www.npca.org/parks/park_system.html