Witch Dance: A Mystical Stop on the Natchez Trace

Witch Dance, situated at milepost 233.2 on the Natchez Trace Parkway, offers more than just a campground; it's a place where history and legend intertwine. The name itself evokes images of shadowy forests and mysterious rituals. According to local lore, this area served as a gathering spot for witches who would dance the night away, leaving barren patches where their feet touched the ground. These spots are still visible today, and it's said that nothing ever grows there.Before the legends of witches, the area was significant to Native Americans. Paleo-Indians, ancestors of the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes, inhabited the land and constructed the Bynum Mounds nearby. Legend tells of their leader guiding them with a medicine stick and a white dog, eventually leading them to their new home. The mounds served as burial sites, growing with each generation.Today, Witch Dance provides a peaceful, bicycle-only campground for travelers along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Cyclists can find restrooms, picnic tables, and drinking water (April through October). It also serves as a staging area for the Witch Dance horse trail in the Tombigbee National Forest, though camping is no longer permitted along the horse trail itself. Whether you're drawn by the legends, the history, or simply a quiet place to rest, Witch Dance offers a unique glimpse into the heart of Mississippi.