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Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center: Gateway to History

Discover 10,000 years of history at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center, your gateway to exploring this scenic byway in Tupelo, Mississippi.

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The Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center in Tupelo, MS, serves as the primary information hub for exploring the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway. Discover exhibits, an orientation film, and knowledgeable park rangers ready to guide your journey through 10,000 years of North American history.

A brief summary to Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center

Local tips

  • Arrive early to allow ample time to explore the visitor center's exhibits and plan your Natchez Trace Parkway adventure.
  • Ask the park rangers for personalized recommendations based on your interests and time constraints.
  • Take advantage of the visitor center's restrooms and water fountains before embarking on your parkway journey.
  • Check out the Eastern National Bookstore for books, maps, and souvenirs to enhance your Natchez Trace experience.
  • Consider combining your visit with a walk on the nearby Blackland Prairie Trail, a segment of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center is located at 2680 Natchez Trace Pkwy, Tupelo, MS 38804. From Tupelo, access the Natchez Trace Parkway via I-22/HWY 78, Highways 6 & 278 (Pontotoc Parkway), or Highway 178 (McCullough Blvd). Note that there is no direct access from HWY 45 near Tupelo. The visitor center is located at milepost 266 on the Natchez Trace Parkway. There are no fees for using the Natchez Trace Parkway. Parking is available at the visitor center.

  • Public Transport

    While there isn't direct public transportation to the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center, you can take a Tupelo Community Spirit bus to a nearby location and then take a taxi or rideshare service to the visitor center. Bus fare is approximately $1.25 per ride. A taxi or rideshare from downtown Tupelo to the visitor center will cost approximately $15-$25.

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Discover more about Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center

Located at milepost 266, near Tupelo, Mississippi, the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center is the ideal starting point for exploring this historic byway. The center provides a comprehensive introduction to the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile scenic road that follows the route of the Old Natchez Trace. This ancient path was used for thousands of years by American Indians, early European settlers, and future U.S. presidents. Inside the visitor center, you'll find a wealth of information to help plan your trip. Exhibits detail the history of the Trace, from its earliest use by indigenous peoples to its role in westward expansion. Don't miss the orientation film, which provides an overview of the parkway's highlights and historical significance. Park rangers are on hand to answer questions, provide maps and brochures, and offer suggestions for exploring the parkway's many attractions. You can also obtain passport stamps for the Natchez Trace Parkway, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, Tupelo National Battlefield, and Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield. The visitor center also features a bookstore with a wide selection of books, maps, and souvenirs related to the Natchez Trace. Restrooms and a nature walk are available for visitors. Exhibits portray daily life and early history at the Chickasaw Village that once stood in the area.

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