Natchez Trace in October?? - ST-Owners.com Forums

CZman · 08-30-2007, 05:29 AM

If any of you have ridden the NT in mid to late October, then I would like to hear from you. I am planning a ride and am trying to decide if camping or hoteling is the smart thing to do. What were your impressions of the road, traffic, etc. Thank you.

mageerc · 08-30-2007, 06:08 AM

Any time is a good ride on the Natchez Trace, but October is extremely nice as you will encounter fall colors. The traffic is usually light save for some weekends and then it is not what you'd consider heavy. The Parkway bans commercial vehicles from their system, so you don't have the 18 wheeler traffic. One extremely nice place to camp in NE Mississippi is Tishimingo State Park. The tent sites are very primitive, but there are also sites with hookups right beside the lake should you desire one of those. I think you've chosen the best month to tour the Natchez Trace!

BJFazio · 08-30-2007, 06:55 AM

+1.
The NT is one of my favorite roads & October is an ideal time. The speed limit is 50, which some people don't care for, but you can push it to 55 (be careful beyond that), and just kick back & cruise. Lots of scenery & history, with many informative pull offs.

There are many towns nearby, so motels are easy to find. I stayed in Tupelo MS on one trip & Kosciusko MS on another, but ther are lots of other choices. Natchez State Park on the south end is very nice, and I've camped at Rocky Springs (somewhat primitive) (Mile 55), and Pickwick Landing State Park, TN (very nice) (Near mile 330). I haven't been north of Mile 370, but I hear it's even nicer on the north section.

444 miles of riding pleasure with NO 18 wheelers, and no red lights. How can you go wrong. http://www.nps.gov/natr/

CZman · 08-30-2007, 06:57 AM

Thank you!!! Sounds perfect.

Uncle Phil · 08-30-2007, 07:00 AM

I live about 10 miles from the North Entrance. October is usually pretty nice, but the temps can be sort of iffy. As was said, avoid week-ends and holidays and you will be fine. It takes about 9 hours from top to bottom if you only make fuel stops. Fuel at the top in Pasquo, at Tupelo, then at Jackson and you will be fine on an ST. Nice, peaceful road, but heavily patrolled by instant-on radar folks in some places.

STcr8zy · 08-30-2007, 07:27 AM

October would be a good choice. I would recommend taking the Clinton, MS exit and turning right and then there is a gas station (Exxon) about 1/2 mile from the exit/entrance there (left hand side) for a refuel stop. Would be easy to get back to the NT then as well (just retrace steps). I ride the NT everyday to and from work between Clinton and I-20. Not a long distance, but enough to like the road. Then I take I-20 to Vicksburg and back (I-20 is full of 18-wheelers and other traffic - definitely not as enjoyable). Have traveled on the NT in the area and like the 'no traffic' and 'no stop lights or stop signs'. The NT was fairly recently finalized and opened for use so the road is nicely paved in the Southern part around Jackson and as far South as I have gone so far.

This is a recommended link as well http://www.scenictrace.com/

Ride safe and hope to see you.

David

Britman · 08-30-2007, 05:00 PM

6 of us rode it last year on a mix of bikes and by the time we got to Tupelo, MS we all voted to get OFF IT!

Too many police and we were only running 5 over because of their presence.

AND TOO DARN STRAIGHT, FLAT BORING.

Unless you want to stop and read all the historical markers.

The ride across country from Atlanta to get on it was more fun.

08-30-2007, 05:29 AM	#1
CZman Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 252	Natchez Trace in October?? If any of you have ridden the NT in mid to late October, then I would like to hear from you. I am planning a ride and am trying to decide if camping or hoteling is the smart thing to do. What were your impressions of the road, traffic, etc. Thank you.

08-30-2007, 06:08 AM	#2
mageerc Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Leland, MS Age: 59 Posts: 156	Re: Natchez Trace in October?? Any time is a good ride on the Natchez Trace, but October is extremely nice as you will encounter fall colors. The traffic is usually light save for some weekends and then it is not what you'd consider heavy. The Parkway bans commercial vehicles from their system, so you don't have the 18 wheeler traffic. One extremely nice place to camp in NE Mississippi is Tishimingo State Park. The tent sites are very primitive, but there are also sites with hookups right beside the lake should you desire one of those. I think you've chosen the best month to tour the Natchez Trace!
	Randy Magee

08-30-2007, 06:55 AM	#3
BJFazio Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: DeRidder LA Posts: 13	Re: Natchez Trace in October?? +1. The NT is one of my favorite roads & October is an ideal time. The speed limit is 50, which some people don't care for, but you can push it to 55 (be careful beyond that), and just kick back & cruise. Lots of scenery & history, with many informative pull offs. There are many towns nearby, so motels are easy to find. I stayed in Tupelo MS on one trip & Kosciusko MS on another, but ther are lots of other choices. Natchez State Park on the south end is very nice, and I've camped at Rocky Springs (somewhat primitive) (Mile 55), and Pickwick Landing State Park, TN (very nice) (Near mile 330). I haven't been north of Mile 370, but I hear it's even nicer on the north section. 444 miles of riding pleasure with NO 18 wheelers, and no red lights. How can you go wrong. http://www.nps.gov/natr/
	"If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free"

08-30-2007, 06:57 AM	#4
CZman Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 252	Re: Natchez Trace in October?? Thank you!!! Sounds perfect.

08-30-2007, 07:00 AM	#5
Uncle Phil Event Coordinator Bike: ST1100(s) Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Age: 57 Posts: 2,219 2010 Miles: 011271 Total Awards: 3	Re: Natchez Trace in October?? I live about 10 miles from the North Entrance. October is usually pretty nice, but the temps can be sort of iffy. As was said, avoid week-ends and holidays and you will be fine. It takes about 9 hours from top to bottom if you only make fuel stops. Fuel at the top in Pasquo, at Tupelo, then at Jackson and you will be fine on an ST. Nice, peaceful road, but heavily patrolled by instant-on radar folks in some places.
	97 ST1100 STD +128,000 / 02 ST1100 ABS +60,000/ 97 ST1100 ABS +27,000 www.UnclePhil.us

08-30-2007, 07:27 AM	#6
STcr8zy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Clinton, MS Posts: 5	Re: Natchez Trace in October?? October would be a good choice. I would recommend taking the Clinton, MS exit and turning right and then there is a gas station (Exxon) about 1/2 mile from the exit/entrance there (left hand side) for a refuel stop. Would be easy to get back to the NT then as well (just retrace steps). I ride the NT everyday to and from work between Clinton and I-20. Not a long distance, but enough to like the road. Then I take I-20 to Vicksburg and back (I-20 is full of 18-wheelers and other traffic - definitely not as enjoyable). Have traveled on the NT in the area and like the 'no traffic' and 'no stop lights or stop signs'. The NT was fairly recently finalized and opened for use so the road is nicely paved in the Southern part around Jackson and as far South as I have gone so far. This is a recommended link as well http://www.scenictrace.com/ Ride safe and hope to see you. David

08-30-2007, 05:00 PM	#7
Britman Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: ATLANTA, GA Posts: 1,176 Total Awards: 1	The top 100 miles are OK 6 of us rode it last year on a mix of bikes and by the time we got to Tupelo, MS we all voted to get OFF IT! Too many police and we were only running 5 over because of their presence. AND TOO DARN STRAIGHT, FLAT BORING. Unless you want to stop and read all the historical markers. The ride across country from Atlanta to get on it was more fun.

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