These 11 Photos Show There’s No Place As Scenic As The Natchez Trace Parkway In Tennessee
There are plenty of beautiful places around the state of Tennessee. The topography of the state varies widely, from the riverfront flatland on the western side of the state to the crags of the Great Smoky Mountains in the east. The Cumberland Plateau rises, rocky and studded with gushing rivers and rugged canyons cut deep into the earth. The introduction of humans has resulted in the construction of a network of roadways that cross the state with wild abandon. Of course, if you’re looking to view the beauty of Tennessee from the comfort of your car, there’s no road more scenic than the Natchez Trace Parkway. Learn more about it below:
In its entirety, the Natchez Trace Parkway stretches 444-miles through the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The paved roadway follows what is known as the historic, "Natchez-Trace," a travel path once used by Native Americans.
Perhaps the most recognizable structure along the road is the Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge, located in Tennessee's Williamson County. The concrete double arch bridge is 1,572 feet long and carries cars 145-feet over the forested area below.
The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge was actually the first segmentally constructed concrete arch bridge in the entire history of the United States. It has won multiple awards for its design, and construction was completed in October, 1993.
Although beautiful, the Natchez Trace was only utilized by settlers as a major trading route for a brief period of time. It linked eastern states to Mississippi and Louisiana, and on any given day you'd find traders, preachers, highwaymen, and peddlers wandering the Trace.
Meriwether Lewis, known for his part in the grand Lewis and Clark Expedition, died on the Natchez Trace. He was the governor of the then-Louisiana Territory and was traveling to Washington, DC when he committed suicide near Hohenwald, Tennessee. He is buried along the Trace and visitors can travel to the monument erected in his honor.
The Trace also lends itself to the most adventurous Tennesseans. It's known as a designated cycling route, and there are multiple hiking and camping spots along the way.
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
