Take a quiet ride through the pine-draped hills and fertile valleys of central Mississippi as we journey 101 miles north along the Natchez Trace Parkway from Kosciusko to Tupelo. This serene and storied route, once traveled by Native Americans, traders, and frontiersmen, now invites modern explorers to slow down, roll the windows down, and rediscover the rhythm of the land.
Our drive begins just south of Kosciusko, where we merge onto the Natchez Trace from Mississippi Highway 14. Almost immediately, the parkway embraces us in a corridor of dense hardwoods and gently rolling terrain. Kosciusko, named for Polish hero Tadeusz Kościuszko, is a town steeped in history and known as the birthplace of Oprah Winfrey. Just northeast of town, the Trace brushes past French Camp, a living-history community that traces its roots back to an 1800s mission school for Native Americans. Here, rustic cabins and a working blacksmith shop offer glimpses of frontier life—well worth a stop if time allows.
Continuing our journey northward, the parkway gently undulates through Jeff Busby Park, a scenic overlook and campground located at one of the highest points in Mississippi. At 603 feet above sea level, the top of Little Mountain reveals wide, leafy views of the Tombigbee National Forest. We pause briefly here, savoring the calm and soaking in the rich green hues before continuing northeast. Beyond Busby, the Trace intersects with US-82 west of Mathiston—a rare moment of four-lane bustle that quickly gives way to more solitude. We remain west of town, where the land is a mixture of woodlots and pasture, and occasional glimpses of rural homesteads peek through the trees.
As we push further into northeastern Mississippi, the parkway crosses several state highways—MS-15, MS-46, and MS-8—offering access to small towns like Houston and Trebloc. Around CR-413, we detour briefly to visit the Owl Creek Mounds, a prehistoric ceremonial site constructed by the indigenous Mississippian culture between 1100 and 1200 A.D. Though not visible in the video, these earthworks are a powerful reminder of the land’s deep and complex human history. Not far beyond, Davis Lake offers additional recreation opportunities including fishing and picnicking, tucked into the woodlands.
Returning to the Trace, we glide past MS-41 near the rural community of Troy, where the road’s contours trace the low hills and waterways of the region. Soon, we cross US-278, a modern east-west route that hints at the urban edge of Tupelo, though the Trace itself continues to preserve its tranquil nature. This stretch of the Parkway passes just southwest of the city, hiding from commercial development behind dense tree buffers and grassy shoulders. The road feels more like a forest path than a federal highway—a signature feature of the Natchez Trace Parkway experience.
We end our journey at the Main Street interchange, just west of Tupelo. Though we’re minutes from the city center, the road maintains its timeless feel—an echo of the ancient trail that once stretched from Natchez to Nashville. Tupelo, known worldwide as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, represents both a cultural landmark and a gateway to northern Mississippi. But for now, our trip concludes with the quiet hum of tires on smooth pavement and a last glance at the leafy canopy overhead.
🗺️ Route Map
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