Highlights of the Natchez Trace Bike Tour

Ride through 10,000 years of history with this 5 day biking vacation on the Natchez Trace Parkway. The modern, paved parkway roughly follows the “Old Natchez Trace,” a historic corridor used by Native Americans, European settlers, soldiers and future presidents. Our tour will showcase the highlights of the southern portion of the parkway.

Starting at the southern terminus of the parkway in Natchez, Mississippi, guests will experience southern cooking and visit key historical sites throughout their ride. Each night will be spent at boutique inns rich with their own histories. The tour will conclude in the state capital of Jackson with visits to museums that tie the whole experience together. 

Day 1:  On the first morning we explore historic Natchez, Mississippi, a quaint southern town situated on the Mississippi River. The city is regarded as the birthplace of the state, and it is rich with culture and heritage. After a ride around town, we’ll visit and tour an Antebellum home. Then attend a biscuit making class with the “Queen of Biscuits” herself, Chef Regina Charboneau, before a group dinner.

Day 2:  After a day in town, we will head to the southern terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway. The day will be spent riding on the nicely paved, rural road visiting several historical sites. Short detours off the Natchez trace will take you to Elizabeth Female Academy, Emerald Mound and Mount Locust.

Day 3:  Enjoy a day at the Vicksburg National Military Park, which preserves the site of the American Civil War of Vicksburg. You will ride around the park, visiting many of the over 1,400 monuments and memorials that dot the landscape. After lunch, you’ll have the opportunity to check out the USS Cairo. This ship is one of the first American ironclad warships built in the beginning of the Civil War.

Day 4:  The group will head back to the Natchez Trace Parkway to head toward the state capital of Jackson stopping at more interesting historical sites. First, we will explore Rocky Springs. This ghost town was first settled in the 1790s, and the population grew to 2,616 people. Before long, the Civil War, yellow fever, crop issues and poor land management brought an end to the community.

Day 5: After breakfast at the Fairview Inn, we will shuttle to the Ridgeland Information Cabin to start our ride back to Cypress Swamp. Upon arrival at the swamp, there is a small loop trail and bridge that you can explore on foot before we shuttle to our final lunch in Jackson!