Natchez Trace Multi-Use Trail
Natchez Trace Multi-Use Trail
4.5
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CassidyBayou
Madison, MS221 contributions
Oct 2022
Great place for walking and biking for all ages. Paved trail with paved parking right beside the Natchez Trace Parkway. Went there last time to walk our dog and enjoy the scenery.
Written 20 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RickOfMS
Crystal Springs, MS94 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
This trail is strategically located adjacent to the Natchez Trace Parkway - a road which is also a national park - in central Mississippi. If you want a great outdoor experience, biking, walking, jogging, or whatever, this trail is excellent. Most of it is level or only moderately hilly. Much of it is shaded. I biked it last weekend and did not realize I had gone 10 miles until checking the odometer after I was done.
Advice: if you are not sure where to start, park somewhere in the middle and venture out in one direction. If you want more, just pass your vehicle and keep going. And, it's free.
Advice: if you are not sure where to start, park somewhere in the middle and venture out in one direction. If you want more, just pass your vehicle and keep going. And, it's free.
Written 2 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DeltaFlyer-321
Ridgeland, MS362 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
The Natchez Trace Multi-use Trail, officially called the Chisha Foka Multi-use Trail, is a 10 mile walking/running/ biking trail that meanders along the Natchez Trace Parkway for a distance of about 10 miles, starting (from north to south) at mile 105.6 overlooking the Ross Barnett Reservoir, and ending at mile 95.8 in a small clearing next to the Parkway. For the most part, the trail runs through forests, with some notable points along the way. Please refer to the map I have uploaded.
I have walked and run most of the length, as I live one-half mile from mile 98. Here are some interesting waypoints:
Starting from the north end, the Reservoir Overlook Point, which is also a small parking circle, the trail follows the reservoir on the left with some nice subdivisions visible, and occasional water views. Less than a mile from the start is a turn-off path to the left that runs down to the water to the Yacht Club and a marina. From the marina, continuing west on Rice Road, is the Mississippi Crafts Center, where local artists’ work can be purchased
Continuing on the trail, it crosses over Old Canton Road along the Parkway bridge, which has a dedicated path on the side of the roadway to separate the trail from traffic. There is the small Madison County airport to the right, visible from the bridge.
Continuing southbound, about mile is US Highway 51, a major north-south artery (that runs from the Gulf Coast all the way to Lake Superior) where the trail turns north of the Parkway for about a block, crosses 51 at a traffic light, and the trail resumes on the west side of the highway. There is a little shopping center at the corner, where there is a Fleet Feet sport shop and some shops.
Continuing on the trail, during the next half mile it climbs to the Ridgeland water tower, then a nice long downhill to the Perkins Drive. To the north is “old town” ridgeland along Jackson Street, and to the north of that, some quiet neighborhoods.
From Perkins heading southbound (i.e., west), the trail meanders to a junction called “Sunnybrook Road”, and a hundred yards north is a water fountain, where water jugs can be filled. Back to the trail, continuing south is the wicked I-55 climb, where the path again shares the Parkway bridge, but separated from vehicle traffic, across the 10-lane interstate. Down the hill heading southbound, about a half mile you reach Highland Colony Parkway, where there is another watering station. To the north is a traffic circle and a beautiful outdoor shopping mall, with an Italian motif. Crossing the Highland colony, the trail continues south, but a branch trail runs north along Highland Colony past the shopping mall and another mile or so north.
Continuing on the trail southbound, another wicked uphill climb (but not as bad as the I-55 grade), levels off at a Parkway rest stop, and a Chisha Foka sign, similar to the one pictured. Continuing on, another quarter mile gets you to Greenwood Crossing, with St. Andrews middle and upper school to the north. Crossing the street heading southbound, is a stretch of about 1.5 miles of slightly undulating hills to Patterson Crossing. Continuing a half mile on, is a downhill slope to White Oak Creek, where the path shares a bridge of a small street named North Agency Lane. Then another climb and about a mile and a quarter on is Livingston Road. Here the trail has a dedicated footbridge over the road, and beyond that, another mile and a half gets you to the south end of the trail, just a few yards north of the Parkway.
I have walked and run most of the length, as I live one-half mile from mile 98. Here are some interesting waypoints:
Starting from the north end, the Reservoir Overlook Point, which is also a small parking circle, the trail follows the reservoir on the left with some nice subdivisions visible, and occasional water views. Less than a mile from the start is a turn-off path to the left that runs down to the water to the Yacht Club and a marina. From the marina, continuing west on Rice Road, is the Mississippi Crafts Center, where local artists’ work can be purchased
Continuing on the trail, it crosses over Old Canton Road along the Parkway bridge, which has a dedicated path on the side of the roadway to separate the trail from traffic. There is the small Madison County airport to the right, visible from the bridge.
Continuing southbound, about mile is US Highway 51, a major north-south artery (that runs from the Gulf Coast all the way to Lake Superior) where the trail turns north of the Parkway for about a block, crosses 51 at a traffic light, and the trail resumes on the west side of the highway. There is a little shopping center at the corner, where there is a Fleet Feet sport shop and some shops.
Continuing on the trail, during the next half mile it climbs to the Ridgeland water tower, then a nice long downhill to the Perkins Drive. To the north is “old town” ridgeland along Jackson Street, and to the north of that, some quiet neighborhoods.
From Perkins heading southbound (i.e., west), the trail meanders to a junction called “Sunnybrook Road”, and a hundred yards north is a water fountain, where water jugs can be filled. Back to the trail, continuing south is the wicked I-55 climb, where the path again shares the Parkway bridge, but separated from vehicle traffic, across the 10-lane interstate. Down the hill heading southbound, about a half mile you reach Highland Colony Parkway, where there is another watering station. To the north is a traffic circle and a beautiful outdoor shopping mall, with an Italian motif. Crossing the Highland colony, the trail continues south, but a branch trail runs north along Highland Colony past the shopping mall and another mile or so north.
Continuing on the trail southbound, another wicked uphill climb (but not as bad as the I-55 grade), levels off at a Parkway rest stop, and a Chisha Foka sign, similar to the one pictured. Continuing on, another quarter mile gets you to Greenwood Crossing, with St. Andrews middle and upper school to the north. Crossing the street heading southbound, is a stretch of about 1.5 miles of slightly undulating hills to Patterson Crossing. Continuing a half mile on, is a downhill slope to White Oak Creek, where the path shares a bridge of a small street named North Agency Lane. Then another climb and about a mile and a quarter on is Livingston Road. Here the trail has a dedicated footbridge over the road, and beyond that, another mile and a half gets you to the south end of the trail, just a few yards north of the Parkway.
Written 31 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
World_Traveler_Food
Little Rock, AR188 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
The Natchez Trace Parkway, 444 miles long, contains several sections. The actual "parkway" is a two-lane road for autos, motorcycles and bicycles. And while the maps we got did show some hiking trails around the Jackson MS area, they had 1-2 inches of standing water on them. There is a lot of shade/nice trees, however, there is a lot of road noise and you pass by a lot of houses, so it's not the hiking we were hoping to experience, but we were very happy to discover this multi-use trail, also called the Chisa Foka Multi-Use Trail. A paved, easy, well-maintained, 10-mile (one-way) path that parallels the parkway. The best views are to be had by the Ross Barnett Reservoir. There's a parking area there, the northern-most end, that overlooks the reservoir. On the southern end, the Choctaw Agency spot has excellent parking, and you can head north or south from there.
There are only three spots with restrooms on the trail, and very few spots to get water. Absolutely recommend your first stop be the Parkway Information Cabin if you're around Jackson, MS, to pick up maps and get an overview of the Trace/it's sections/attractions and the multi-use trail to get the most out of your trip.
There are only three spots with restrooms on the trail, and very few spots to get water. Absolutely recommend your first stop be the Parkway Information Cabin if you're around Jackson, MS, to pick up maps and get an overview of the Trace/it's sections/attractions and the multi-use trail to get the most out of your trip.
Written 11 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shiloh B
54 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
The Natchez Trace Trail is absolutely beautiful! The Cypress Swamp portion is especially interesting! There is a bridge that takes you right over the swamp. Be sure to bring bug spray!
Written 7 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tara Y
2 contributions
Feb 2020
There were well-kept trails for walking, running, and biking. We enjoyed the trails very much and there were many other people enjoying them too!
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
324tamrah
United States18 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
This is the country's largest state park. Many interesting things to stop and see, especially if you are a history buff.
Written 29 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
terryhammond8834
Lutterworth, UK168 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We travelled this parkway from Natchez upto Jackson, found some of the stops very interesting, lots of infomation about why it was used, even some of the old trace can be seen. It is a two lane highway with a 50 mph speed limit but no commercial vehicles are allowed. So very easy driving. We were going to travel all the way to Nashville on it 444 miles but it is very much the same, a winding tree lined road and after 230 plus miles we got bored and came off it to see some of Mississippi state. There is a great brochure on it that can be picked up at most of the visitor centres. Glad we did it the length we did.
Written 2 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirt L
Cary, NC69 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
I rode this trail as a break from a recent long drive. The trail is entirely paved, though there are parts that need repaving or some maintenance due to cracking and deterioration. It is mostly quiet, passing along side of neighborhoods, behind businesses and near the Natchez Trace Parkway. It is a 10 mile path with multiple points of access. I did have a hard time finding information about access points. Several locals at my hotel of choice did not know of it. Pop in Old Trace Park and you are able to find a large parking area and a good place to start. Apparently there is a bit that extends from that point to a lake overlook. Gates were closed and locked which I think prevented me from getting to that part. Also, there are additional spurs off of the main path that you can take but I did not take those. It was early morning at the start of July, so temperature was not oppressive, but I do imagine that high temperature combined with typical southern humidity could make it less pleasant. Overall, it was a nice diversion, one I would do again, and spend a bit more time exploring. I do enjoy the native natural scenery and fragrances of an area. This ride does five you that.
Written 3 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen K
Ridgeland, MS10 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
We live next to the multi-use trail and use it 4-5 times per week. It's pretty shaded for most of the trail and it's a really nice place to run and cycle. There are several water fountains along the trail, which is helpful during the summer. We love living near it!
Written 31 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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