- Lodging option(s) and bicycle route(s):
to the Parkway for the night BEFORE biking this section - Parkway route in Red:
bike north 36 or 60 miles on the Parkway from Ridgeland, MS (milepost 100-101) to the Carthage, MS area (milepost 136.4) or Kosciusko, MS (milepost 160)
5 of the miles are on the Multi-Use Path in the Ridgeland, MS area. Vehicle traffic is much higher in the Jackson Metro area (milepost 88 - 105) than in the rural areas. In the Ridgeland area (milepost 100 to 105 where vehicle traffic is the highest) we highly recommend biking on the Multi-Use Path that parallels the parkway in order to avoid heavy car traffic in the area. For a map and info, go to: Multi-Use Path - Lodging option(s) and bicycle route(s):
from the Parkway for the night AFTER biking this section - Below the Overview Map:
click on Points of Interest categories (food, restrooms, etc.) to add them to the map - Click on any of the Points of Interest for more info.
- Click on any of the Routes:
Parkway in Red, lodging routes in other colors - to view a preview and detailed route
- Information and Links:
- Before Biking on the Parkway:
in the morning in Ridgeland, MS - Biking on the Parkway:
during the day from milepost 100 to milepost 160 - After Biking on the Parkway:
in the afternoon/evening in near Carthage, MS and Kosciusko, MS
- Before Biking on the Parkway:
- Links to complete Natchez Trace Parkway 442 Mile, South to North Itinerary Routes that this one day route is part of
Ride Stats:
milepost 100 to milepost 136.4:
- Miles on Parkway (including 5.5 miles on Multi-Use Path): 36.8
- Elevation Gain:
851 feet (avg. 23.1 feet/mile)
Maximum Grade: 2.5% - Elevation Loss:
814 feet (avg. 22.1 feet/mile)
Minimum Grade: -2.8%
milepost 100 to milepost 160:
- Miles on Parkway (including 5.5 miles on Multi-Use Path): 60
- Elevation Gain:
1,185 feet (avg. 19.8 feet/mile)
Maximum Grade: 2.3% - Elevation Loss:
1,132 feet (avg. 18.9 feet/mile)
Minimum Grade: -2.7%
Click any of the above Points of Interest categories to display them on the map.
Before Biking on the Parkway
(in the morning near milepost 100)
Milepost 100 - Ridgeland, MS - Lodging, Camping, Bicycle Shops and Food:
Lodging:
In the Ridgeland, MS area (milepost 100-101) there are several hotels located within 1 to 3 miles of the Parkway. The hotels located north of the Parkway are closer to and easier to bike to from the parkway/multi-use path. Hyatt Place Jackson/Ridgeland (601-898-8815) and Hampton Inn & Suites Jackson-Ridgeland (769-300-5556) are easy to bike to from the multi-use path (800 feet west of I-55 underpass, exit the walking/bike path onto Highland Colony Pkwy and bike north) and there are restaurants in walking distance. For hotel info, see www.visitridgeland.com.
Camping:
- In the Jackson/Ridgeland area there are no campgrounds that you can easily bike to from the Parkway. There is a campground located north of the Jackson Metro area and half a mile east of the Parkway at milepost 123.8:
Ratliff Ferry Trading Post Campground. The campground has both RV and tent camping. Call 769-231-9525 to make sure they are open on your arrival date. - There are other (private and state park) campgrounds in the Jackson Metro area that you can drive to from the Parkway. For info, go to www.nps.gov/natr/planyourvisit/campgrounds-on-or-adjacent-to-the-parkway.htm
Bicycle Shops:
- The Bike Crossing -
The Bike Crossing is located about 150 yards north of the Parkway at the corner of Old Town Crossing and Jackson Street in Ridgeland and is accessible from the multi-use trail that parallels the Parkway. - Indian Cycle Fitness & Outdoor -
Indian Cycle is located just south of the Parkway on one of the Multi-Use Path's spur routes. - Bicycle Revolution -
Mobile service available by appointment. - RideSouth -
Located south of the Parkway in Brandon, MS.
Food:
Biking on the Parkway
(during the day from milepost 100 to milepost 160)
Along/Near the Parkway - Restrooms, Top 30 Favorite Sites and Exits with Services Nearby:
RidewithGPS route of the Parkway from milepost 100 to milepost 160 that includes the following points of interest and guidance:
ridewithgps.com/routes/43388313
You can download the route to your phone!
- near Milepost 101 - Multi-Use Path / Highland Colony Parkway intersection
Start of the Day on the Parkway - entrance onto Multi-Use Path
To avoid heavy vehicle traffic in the Ridgeland area on the Parkway we highly recommend biking on the Multi-Use Path that parallels the Parkway for 5 miles. - Milepost 102 - US Hwy 51 exit
Restaurants 0.5 mile north of Parkway - Milepost 102.4 - Parkway Information Cabin at Ridgeland
Restroom, Picnic Area, access to Multi-Use Path, Bicycle Repair Station - Milepost 103 - Old Canton Road exit
Markets and Restaurant 0.4 mile south of Parkway - Milepost 105.6 - The Multi-Use Path ends here at the parking area of the Reservoir Overlook site. Turn right onto the Parkway and bike north towards Kosciusko.
- Milepost 105.6 - Reservoir Overlook
Top 30, Scenic Overlook, Multi-Use Path Entrance - Milepost 122.0 - Cypress Swamp
Top 30, Hiking Trail, Nature Area - Milepost 122.6 - River Bend
Top 30, Restroom, Picnic Area - Milepost 123.8 - Ratliff Ferry Road exit
Market/Restaurant/Campground 0.5 mile east of Parkway - Milepost 135.5 - MS Hwy 16 exit
Markets 1.4 miles west of Parkway - Milepost 136.4 - Forest Grove Road
End of the Day on the Parkway (if staying overnight at The Loft at Little Bluestem Farm) - exit onto Forest Grove Road
Follow their "Lodging" route to your overnight stay! - Milepost 146 - MS Hwy 429 exit
Restaurant 0.5 miles west of Parkway - Milepost 154.3 - Holly Hill
Restroom, Picnic Area - Milepost 160.0 - Kosciusko Information Center
End of the Day on the Parkway - exit at the Kosciusko Information Center
Follow one of the "Lodging" routes to your Kosciusko overnight stay! - Milepost 160.0 - Kosciusko Information Center
Restroom, Picnic Area, History/Nature Exhibit, Visitor/Info Center, Bicycle Repair Station - Milepost 161.5 - County Road 1227
End of the Day on the Parkway (if staying overnight at Pedal Inn B&B) - exit onto County Road 1227
Follow their "Lodging" route to your Kosciusko overnight stay!
After Biking on the Parkway
(in the afternoon/evening near milepost 136.4 or milepost 160)
Milepost 136.4 - Carthage, MS area - Lodging with Bicycle Route from Parkway:
Lodging:
The Loft at Little Bluestem Farm
Vacation Rental - 1 Cottage/2 Beds/Sleeps 4 -
3.8 miles north of the Parkway. One vacation rental in the middle of a 63-acre flower farm.
Route: Bike or Drive 3.8 miles north of Parkway exit (Forest Grove Road at milepost 136.4) - RidewithGPS Route
Food: Breakfast is not included. Coffee and tea are provided. A couple different food upgrades are available. There are no markets or restaurants closeby.
More Info:
Overview Description
Accommodations and Rates
Cyclist Amenities
Milepost 160 - Kosciusko, MS adjacent to the Parkway - Lodging with Bicycle Route from Parkway, Camping, Food and Featured Points of Interest Options:
Lodging:
Maple Terrace Inn B&B
Bed & Breakfast - 4 Properties/10 Guest Rooms/15 Beds/Sleeps 24 -
Convenient to the Parkway near Kosciusko’s historic court square. 4 historic homes (Maple Terrace, Martha's Cottage, Presidents' Inn, Hammond-Routt House).
Routes (all exit at Kosciusko Information Center at milepost 160):
to Maple Terrace - Bike or Drive 1.7 miles north of Parkway exit - RidewithGPS Route
to Martha's Cottage - Bike or Drive 1.8 miles north of Parkway exit - RidewithGPS Route
to Presidents' Inn - Bike or Drive 1.7 miles north of Parkway exit - RidewithGPS Route
to Hammond-Routt House - Bike or Drive 1.5 miles north of Parkway exit - RidewithGPS Route
Food: A full breakfast is served to order from a menu of 25 items. For dinner, there are restaurants within walking distance on the Court Square and more on nearby Veterans' Memorial Drive.
More Info:
Overview Description
Accommodations and Rates
Cyclist Amenities
Pedal Inn B&B
Bed & Breakfast - 2 Guest Rooms/3 Beds/Sleeps 6 -
Less than half a mile off the Parkway. Caters to cyclists who are bicycling the Natchez Trace.
Route: Bike 0.3 miles north of Parkway exit (County Road 1227 at milepost 161.5) - RidewithGPS Route
Food: Guests are treated to a healthy breakfast (oatmeal, yogurt, fresh fruit, muffins). Cyclists, who don't have a support vehicle, can be shuttled to Kosciusko's historic Court Square for dinner. Guests may also prepare their own dinner in the vintage kitchen or pickup dinner and bring it back to the Pedal Inn.
More Info:
Overview Description
Accommodations and Rates
Cyclist Amenities
Campgrounds along/near the Parkway:
- Kosciusko Bicycle-Only Campground - The park service has a bicycle only, "primitive" campground next to the Kosciusko Information Center (milepost 160). Free tent camping only for cyclists biking the parkway.
Food:
Featured Points of Interest:
- Milepost 160.0 - Kosciusko Information Center
Restroom, Picnic Area, History/Nature Exhibit, Visitor/Info Center, Bicycle Repair Station - Kosciusko, Mississippi - Kosciusko is located 65 miles northeast of Jackson and adjacent to the Natchez Trace Parkway at milepost 160. The town is named for the Polish general Tadeusz Kościuszko, who assisted United States military efforts during the American Revolution. However, the anglicized name omits the "z". Kosciusko was originally named Red Bud Springs for one of three natural springs that were present in the city. Locally the town name is pronounced Kah-zee-ESS-ko.
Complete Natchez Trace Parkway 442 Mile, South to North Itineraries:
- This is Day 3 of the
South to North, 10 Day Itinerary
Previous Day: Day 2
Next Day: Day 4 - This is Day 4 of the
South to North, 12 Day Itinerary
Previous Day: Day 3
Next Day: Day 5