Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

The National Trails Act of 1968 established the designation of “National Scenic Trail” (along with a few others) and established the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail as the first two trails to be so designated.

In a rather puzzling move, though, the Act did not give the National Park Service (part of the Department of the Interior) sole authority over all National Scenic Trails. Rather, it split that authority between the Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service (which is part of the Department of Agriculture). The Appalachian Trail was given to the Park Service and the Pacific Crest Trail was given to the Forest Service.

To further confuse things, not all National Scenic Trails under the Park Service were considered “official units”. The Appalachian Trail IS an official unit, but the 4,000-mile-long North Country National Scenic Trail, while administered by the Park Service, is not one of the 424 official units.

The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is one of the few Scenic Trails included in the list of official units. The trail parallels the Natchez Trace Parkway, which runs from Natchez, Mississippi to near Nashville, Tennessee. However, unlike trails like the 2,100-mile-long Appalachian Trail, the Natchez Trace Trail is not one continuous trail from start to finish.

Rather, it consists of five separate sections ranging in length from around 3 miles to 23 miles. Three of the sections are in the southernmost 130 miles of the Parkway with four located in Mississippi and the final located just south of the Parkway’s northern terminus.

The trail tries to follow – or remain close to – the original route of the Natchez Trace. Most sections allow both horses and hikers, though a few areas are hiker-only. Only one official campground is along the trail, though backcountry camping is allowed.

I could not find any information on whether the Park Service intents to extend the trail and one day connect the sections. As it stands right now, I have trouble accepting this as a National Scenic Trail on par with such long-distance trails as the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, Continental Divide, North Country, and so on. Though the sections offer some seclusion and a chance to escape the traffic of the parkway, most of the sections are nothing more than day hikes or less. Yes, there is history behind them, but I can find the same in numerous trails in state and county parks across the country.

I did walk a short distance along one stretch of the trail and I certainly enjoyed it. I’d like to come back someday and do a few (or maybe all) of the sections end-to-end. To me, any trail is a good trail, but I think this trail should have been designated a National Historic Trail or National Recreation Trail.

Steve