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 --

Fall Foliage on the Natchez Trace Parkway

It won't be long until the leaves start turning colors. Fall foliage color along the northern half of the Natchez Trace Parkway (Tupelo, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee) is generally at or near its peak from mid-October to the first week of November. South of Tupelo to Natchez, MS fall colors usually arrive mid to late November.

Shown below is a slide-show of fall pictures taken during the 2008 and 2009 fall seasons from the northern terminus of the Trace south to the Tennessee River crossing in Alabama.

For additional fall pictures from 2008 and 2009 and hopefully from 2010 go to NatchezTraceTravel.com's Fall Season Natchez Trace Pictures.

Fall Foliage on the Natchez Trace Parkway

Fall foliage color along the Natchez Trace Parkway is generally at its peak from mid-October thru November. Of course, there is quite a difference between Nashville at the north end of the Trace and Natchez at the southern end of the Trace. The 444 mile parkway runs northeast to southwest (a little more north/south than east/west) from latitude 36.03458 at the northern terminus to latitude 31.5479 at the southern terminus. So, the peak season moves down the Trace into warmer weather.

At the northern end of the Trace in Tennessee the peak season looks to be the last week of October and the first week of November. The picture shown here is of the Double-Arched Bridge that spans Birdsong Hollow at milepost 438 near Franklin, Tennessee. The picture was taken as the leaves were just beginning to turn colors on October 24th. More fall foliage pictures from October 24th and dozens from the first week of November 2008 can be found at NatchezTraceTravel.com.