It’s that time of year when much of the season’s splendor comes with a wonderful array of changing colors. Reds, oranges, yellows and even some plum can be found along the Natchez Trace Parkway. The southern part of the original Natchez Trace and the Natchez Trace Parkway travel through the state of Mississippi. NatchezTraceTravel.com and the Natchez Trace Bed and Breakfast Reservation Service have divided the Mississippi part of the Trace into nine sections. Tishomingo/Belmont area, Tupelo area, Houston/Mantee area, French Camp area, Kosciusko area, Canton/Jackson area, Jackson/Raymond area, Vicksburg/Port Gibson area, and the Lorman/Natchez area.

 

Head North on the trace from Natchez and you’ll encounter some great stops right away. The Elizabeth Female Academy for young ladies is a beautiful site and you will find a historic marker to tell you all about its history. Next is the Old Trace Exhibit Shelter which provides much more history about the Trace. Even further up is the ceremonial grounds of an ancient Indian tribe, Emerald Mound. Enjoy a spectacular view of 30 miles to our west from this spot. For a complete list of scenic drives in Mississippi, click here. 

 

While we can't predict the exact fall foliage peak dates along each section of the Natchez Trace, we can say that generally in northeast Mississippi it's from late October to early November and in central Mississippi it's from early to mid November.

 

If you plan to head to Mississippi this fall to catch a glimpse of our scenic fall foliage, bring your camera and enter your fall foliage pictures of the parkway anytime from October 1 through November 23 in the Natchez Trace Fall Foliage Photo Contest!

The parkway offers numerous opportunities for enjoying fall foliage - scenic overlooks, waterfalls, streams, river crossings, historic sites, sunken roads and sections of the 200 plus year-old original Natchez Trace. Each contestant may enter up to three pictures.

Best Mississippi Natchez Trace Fall Foliage Photo Opportunities

• Bear Creek Mound - milepost 313.0
• Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway - milepost 293.2
• Twentymile Bottom Overlook - milepost 278.4
• Dogwood Valley - milepost 275.2
• Confederate Gravesites and Old Trace - milepost 269.4
• Black Belt Overlook - milepost 251.9
• Bynum Mounds - milepost 232.4
• Jeff Busby Park - milepost 193.1
• French Camp - milepost 180.7
• Cypress Swamp - milepost 122.0
• Reservoir Overlook - milepost 105.6
• Rocky Springs - milepost 54.8
• Mount Locust - milepost 15.5