Motorcycling the Natchez Trace Parkway

NatchezTraceTravel.com unofficially declares
the month of May as Motorcycle Month on the Trace!

Natchez Trace Parkway

444 miles in length, the Natchez Trace Parkway takes travelers from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. The “Trace” has been designated as one of America's National Scenic Byways by the Federal Highway Administration. 31 of the most scenic of these byways, including the Natchez Trace Parkway, are also designated as All-American Roads. 

When the weather is nice for riding we often see more motorcycles on the Trace than cars! 

April, May and June along with September and October are the most popular times to enjoy a day ride, weekend outing or week long excursion on this historic and scenic national parkway. The month of May is usually the best weather month with high temperatures averaging in the high 70s to low 80s.

 These pictures were taken in late April.

  Our Top Ten Reasons Why the Natchez Trace Parkway is a Great Motorcycle Road

1. Commercial traffic is prohibited.
2. Traffic is generally very light except around Tupelo and Jackson. Often there are more motorcycles on the road than cars.
3. No stop signs or stop lights. Access on and off the Trace is via on/off ramps which means no need to worry about cross traffic.
4. The parkway is clean and smooth. One motorcyclist said it was "like riding on a cloud".
5. Scenery is awesome. Instead of utility poles and buildings, the Trace is lined with forests, farmland, creeks and beautiful vistas.
6. All along the Trace through Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee, historical and nature attractions offer interesting breaks and rest stops.
7. Restroom facilities on the Trace are available about every twenty to thirty miles.
8. Contrary to popular belief, there are gas stations, markets and restaurants near the Trace. It is true that none of these services are right "on" the Trace - after all, it is a national park.
9. Numerous side roads take you past antebellum and victorian homes, sunken roads, civil war battlefields and southern towns.
10. There are many "motorcycle friendly" bed and breakfasts located along and near the Trace in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. 

For more information, pictures, biker comments, photo galleries and videos please see Motorcycling the Trace on NatchezTraceTravel.com

2012 Natchez Trace Fall Foliage Photo Contest

The second annual Natchez Trace Fall Foliage Photo Contest is here, just as the temperatures have begun to drop in the upper portion of the Trace. The contest officially starts on October 12, 2012 and runs through the 17th of November. This year's contest offers more prizes for the winners.

Just in case someone is not familiar with the Trace, The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile road that has been designated as one of America's National Scenic Byways by the Federal Highway Administration. The most scenic of these byways are also designated as All-American Roads, and the Natchez Trace Parkway is one of only 31 All-American Roads.

The parkway offers multiple opportunities for enjoying fall foliage - scenic overlooks, waterfalls, streams, river crossings, historic sites, sunken roads and sections of the 200+ year-old original Natchez Trace. All of these spots provide ample occasions each year for inspiring photos.

While predicting the peak dates for fall foliage on the Trace is tough, the ideal window of time typically occurs from mid to late October in Tennessee, from late October to early November in Northwest Alabama/Northeast Mississippi, and from early to mid November in Central Mississippi.

This year's contest gives special emphasis to those photos that include the photographer's "ride" as well as the beautiful Fall colors on display on the Trace. Contestants are encouraged to show their car, motorcycle, RV, bicycle, pickup truck, jeep, horse, or convertible in the foreground, with some great-looking Fall Foliage in the background. Half of the twelve winning photos will be chosen from those including their ride in the photo and the other half only showing Natchez Trace fall foliage.

The 12 winners will receive $100 bed & breakfast gift certificates and their photo will be featured in a Natchez Trace Fall Foliage 2013 calendar! Each winner will also receive five of the calendars. Additionally, after the above winners are chosen, there will then be a public voting from the previous top 12 winners, and the top 3 winners will receive even more B&B gift certificates. Go to www.NatchezTraceTravel.com for all the details on prizes, when and where to see fall foliage information with photos from previous years, how to enter the contest and more.

About NatchezTraceTravel.com:
NatchezTraceTravel.com is a travel guide about the Natchez Trace Parkway and the towns and areas near the Trace. Travelers can find pictures, information and maps for each of the 90+ interpretative centers on the parkway as well as many of the major attractions located near the Trace.

NatchezTraceTravel.com is also the online home of the Natchez Trace B&B Reservation Service. The reservation service works with 40 B&Bs, cabins, cottages and historic hotels located near the parkway. For each of the lodging options the website provides information, photo galleries, guest room pictures, descriptions and rates, maps and area attractions. Free itinerary planning is available for tourists, bicyclists and motorcyclists online and at 800.377.2770.

                                              -- NatchezTraceTravel.com --