Natchez Trace Parkway

When most people think of heading to a national park from Nashville, they think of going to Mammoth Cave or the Great Smoky Mountains, worthy destinations that involve a long drive, securing a tent or a cabin, and some pre-planning. The National Park Service, however, also manages the historic Natchez Trace Parkway. The northern terminus of the 444-miles scenic drive is just 18 miles from the Bobby Nashville. And, no, you can’t see the whole thing in an afternoon drive from the hotel. But you can check out part of it (and, perhaps, plan a longer trip into Alabama and Mississippi later) on a whim.

The Parkway is a two-lane paved route that largely follows the route of a 10,000-year-old road. It was the way wildlife once got to water sources of the Mississippi River and later how Native Americans, soldiers, outlaws and others traveled before there were steamboats and highways. In addition to being a driving route, the Parkway is a designated bike route and is closed to commercial traffic. So people head here for scenic drives and bike rides, taking in Tennessee’s rolling hills and avoiding billboards and urban noise.

Every single mile of the Trace is clearly marked, and periodically there are turnouts from the road with signage about the spot and its history. When getting on the Trace in Nashville heading south, the milepost markers descend in number. Most stops have picnic tables and shade, while a few have restrooms and other amenities. Highlights on the Trace near Nashville include:

The striking Double Arch Bridge (milepost 438) was the first segmentally constructed concrete arch bridge in the United States. You can see it from above, offering views of Franklin from Birdsong Hollow, or capture its architectural beauty from below.

At Garrison Creek (milepost 427.6) you can catch the Highland Rim Trail, one of several preserved sections of the sunken Old Trace. There once was a fort here. Now there are picnic tables and a trailhead along the creek. To hike a longer section of the trail, you will have to cross the creek, which does not have a bridge.

The Tennessee Valley Divide (milepost 423.9) offers one of the Parkway’s magnificent scenic views. With an open meadow and a wide, open expanse, the views are not blocked by trees. Rivers and streams on the south side of the divide flow to the Duck and Tennessee Rivers, while those to the north head to the Cumberland River (the 600-plus-mile river that you can see from the Bobby Nashville rooftop). Historically, this divide was significant because it was the boundary between the Chickasaw Nation (to the south) and the United States (to the north).

Centuries ago, the two-story brick Gordon House and Ferry site (milepost 407.7) near the Duck River was a trading post, a place to cross the river, a refuge and a sign that Nashville was close by. Follow the short, paved trail from the parking area, past the house, and imagine yourself as one of the early travelers along the Old Trace. From there, turn right. You’ll find a bridge to cross the small creek (to the old ferry site on the banks of the wider, faster-moving Duck River. This is a gently sloped walk, with equal parts shade and sun, and shows off the variety of the Water Valley landscape.

Because the Parkway speed limit (no more than 50 m.p.h.) is strictly enforced and because you’ll want to take in the sights and the scenery, this is an intentionally slow ride. Enjoy the different pace. This is a leisurely Sunday drive with lots of stops, not Interstate transportation. When you’re done for the day, turn around and come back north, or exit the Trace and check out the towns of Franklin and Leipers Fork before heading back to the Bobby Nashville.

If you’d prefer renting bikes than driving on the Parkway, reserve your two wheels through Trace Bikes. They have all the info on how to successfully enjoy a scenic people-powered ride on the Trace.