This 444-mile Scenic Parkway Has Some of the South's Best Fall Foliage-and It Has No Billboards or Stoplights

""Natchez Trace Parkway commemorates one of the oldest transportation routes in North America. The original footpath or trace was used by Native Americans, boatmen known as 'Kaintucks,' European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents," explains Mandi Toy, the interpretation and education program manager for the parkway. "Today's travelers can enjoy a scenic drive through history spanning 444 miles and three states: Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee." If you're hoping to drive the entire route, you'll want to plan accordingly; there's quite a lot of ground to cover."

"Toy recommends "breaking up the trip over three to five days," and timing the trip for either spring or fall, which she notes are the best times to drive the Trace. "The fall foliage is beautiful along the parkway. The park rangers publish a fall color report from early October through mid-November," she says. Historically, the leaves begin to change in September,"

The Natchez Trace Parkway stretches 444 miles between Natchez, Mississippi, and Nashville, Tennessee, passing through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee and lacking billboards, stoplights, and gas stations. The route commemorates one of North America's oldest transportation corridors, originally used by Native Americans, Kaintucks, European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents. Travelers are advised to break the journey into three to five days and to visit in spring or fall. Fall foliage timing varies north to south along the parkway, with mid to late October often offering peak color; park rangers publish a fall color report from early October through mid-November. Overlooks and hikes provide scenic and historical highlights.

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