Biking the Natchez Trace Parkway
North to South from Tishomingo / Belmont, MS to Houston, MS

Overview Map:

• Lodging option(s) and bicycle route(s):
  to the Parkway for the night BEFORE biking this section
• Parkway route in Red:
  bike south 78 or 74 miles on the Parkway from Tishomingo / Belmont, MS (milepost 307 or 303 or 293) to Houston, MS (milepost 230)
• 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

Below the Overview Map:

• Information and Links:
  
  • Before Biking on the Parkway:
    in the morning near Tishomingo, MS and in Belmont, MS
  • Biking on the Parkway:
    during the day from milepost 307 to milepost 230
  • After Biking on the Parkway:
    in the afternoon/evening in Houston, MS
• Links to complete Natchez Trace Parkway 442 Mile, North to South Itinerary Routes that this one day route is part of

Before Biking on the Parkway
(in the morning near milepost 307, milepost 303 and milepost 293)

Milepost 307 - Tishomingo, MS west of the Parkway - Lodging with Bicycle Route to Parkway and Camping:

Lodging:

Bear Creek Saloon Guesthouse
Vacation Rental - 1 Cottage/2 Beds/Sleeps 3 - Only 1 mile off the Parkway near Tishomingo State Park. Unhosted guest house.
Route: Bike or Drive 1.5 miles to Parkway entrance (MS Hwy 30 at milepost 307) - RidewithGPS Route

Campgrounds along/near the Parkway:

• Tishomingo State Park
  Campground is 3 miles off the parkway at milepost 304.5. RV and tent camping.

Milepost 303 or Milepost 293 - Belmont, MS south and east of the Parkway - Lodging with Bicycle Route to Parkway, Camping and Food:

Lodging:

Sparks Drive Inn B&B
Bed & Breakfast/Vacation Rental - 6 Units/12 Beds/Sleeps 23 - 4 suites with private living area and kitchen or kitchenette and a whole house rental and cottage rental.
Route:
Biking Unsupported: Bike 8.7 miles to Parkway entrance (follow "back roads" route to County Road 1 intersection at milepost 293.4) - RidewithGPS Route or, Bike 9.7 miles to Parkway entrance (follow "back roads" route to MS Hwy 25 intersection at milepost 303) - RidewithGPS Route
Biking Supported: Drive 6.5 miles to the Parkway at the MS Hwy 25 entrance (milepost 303).

Rock Creek Farm
Vacation Rental - 2 Units/3 Beds, 2 Couches/Sleeps 8 - 2 separate whole-house vacation rentals on a 600-acre farm.
Route: Bike or drive 6.2 miles to Parkway entrance (follow "back roads" route to County Road 1 intersection at milepost 293.4) - RidewithGPS Route

Campgrounds along/near the Parkway:

• Tishomingo State Park
  Campground is 3 miles off the parkway at milepost 304.5. RV and tent camping.

Food:

• Belmont Restaurants

Bubba's Pampered Pedalers
Ace the Natchez Trace Bike Tour

Biking on the Parkway
(during the day from milepost 307 to milepost 230)

Along/Near the Parkway - Restrooms, Top 30 Favorite Sites and Exits with Services Nearby:

RidewithGPS route of the Parkway from milepost 307 to milepost 230 that includes the following points of interest and guidance:
ridewithgps.com/routes/43350790
You can download the route to your phone!

• Milepost 307 - MS Hwy 30
  Start of the Day on the Parkway (if previous night staying at Bear Creek Saloon Guesthouse) - entrance MS Hwy 30
• Milepost 304.5 (adjacent to the parkway) - Tishomingo State Park
  Top 30, Hiking Trail, Picnic Area, History/Nature Exhibit, Daily Use Fee
• Milepost 303 - MS Hwy 25
  Start of the Day on the Parkway (if previous night staying in Belmont, MS and biking supported or unsupported) - entrance MS Hwy 25
• Milepost 293.4 - Tishomingo County Road 1 (John Rankin Hwy)
  Start of the Day on the Parkway (if previous night staying in Belmont, MS and biking unsupported) - entrance Tishomingo County Road 1 (John Rankin Hwy)
  Cyclists biking unsupported can choose either route from Belmont back to the Parkway. Just don't bike on Hwy 25 back to the Parkway due to high volume of truck traffic.
• Milepost 286.7 - Pharr Mounds
  Top 30, Restroom, Indian History, Picnic Area
• Milepost 271 - MS Hwy 363 exit
  Market 0.8 miles west of Parkway
• Milepost 269.4 - Confederate Gravesites and Old Trace
  Top 30, Civil War History, Old Trace
• Milepost 266.1 - MS Hwy 145 exit
  Market and Restaurant 1.5 miles south of Parkway, Bicycle Shop 3 miles south of Parkway
• Milepost 266.0 - Parkway Visitor Center
  Top 30, Restroom, History/Nature Exhibit, Visitor/Info Center, Hiking Trail, Picnic Area, Bicycle Repair Station
• Milepost 266-258 - Note: vehicle traffic is much higher in the Tupelo area (milepost 266 - 258) than in the rural areas. It is best to avoid Tupelo during morning and afternoon rush hour traffic. Traffic will still be high in Tupelo in the middle of the day. If you have a support vehicle, you might consider driving (rather than biking) thru this area.
• Milepost 261.8 - Chickasaw Village Site
  Top 30, Hiking Trail, Indian History
• Milepost 262.5 - MS Hwy 178 (McCullough Blvd) exit
  Market 0.3 mile west of Parkway, Restaurants 2+ miles east of the Parkway on North Gloster Road.
• Milepost 260 - Main Street exit
  Market 0.4 mile east of Parkway
• Milepost 256.9-239.2 - Road Construction
  The Parkway between milepost 256.9 and milepost 239.2 has been under construction (total redo of the road) since August 16, 2023. This section re-opened to traffic on December 14, 2023. Travelers and cyclists should expect single-lane closures into the Summer of 2024 as work continues to add an additional layer of asphalt, add permanent striping, and grade the shoulder. Hopefully, only 2 miles or less of the 17.7 miles will be single-lane traffic at a time. When cycling always wear brightly colored clothing and have both front and rear flashing lights on your bicycle.
• Milepost 256 - Palmetto Road (Verona) exit
  Market 0.7 mile east of Parkway
• Milepost 233.2 - Witch Dance
  Restroom, Picnic Area, Hiking Trail
• Milepost 232.4 - Bynum Mounds
  Top 30, Indian History
• Milepost 230 - MS Hwy 8
  End of the Day on the Parkway - exit at MS Hwy 8 exit - Houston, MS 4.5 miles west of Parkway
  Follow one of the recommended (that avoids most of busy Hwy 8) "Lodging" routes to your Houston overnight stay!

After Biking on the Parkway
(in the afternoon/evening near milepost 230)

Milepost 230 - Houston, MS 4 miles west of Parkway - Lodging with Bicycle Route from Parkway, Camping, Food and Featured Points of Interest Options:

Lodging:

Daisy's on the Square Boutique Hotel
Bed & Breakfast/Small Hotel - 8 Guest Rooms/11 Beds/Sleeps 22 - 7 guest rooms (4 with in-room bike storage) and 1 family suite. On the Court Square and 3 blocks from the Tanglefoot Trail®.
Route:
Biking Unsupported: Bike 4.2 miles west from Parkway exit (MS Hwy 8 at milepost 230) - RidewithGPS Route
Biking Supported: Exit Parkway at milepost 230 onto MS Hwy 8 and then drive west 4.4 miles.
Food: Coffee is provided. On Tuesday thru Saturday mornings, guests receive a 15% discount for breakfast at the adjoining Gather Coffee & Brew diner. Nearby restaurants are open for dinner.
More Info:
Overview Description
Accommodations and Rates
Cyclist Amenities

Trailhead Bike and Bed
Vacation Rental - 4 Guest Rooms/8 Beds/Sleeps 16 - Gated, lodge style hotel with 4 bicycle themed guest rooms next to the southern terminus of the Tanglefoot Trail®.
Route:
Biking Unsupported: Bike 4.4 miles west from Parkway exit (MS Hwy 8 at milepost 230) - RidewithGPS Route
Biking Supported: Exit Parkway at milepost 230 onto MS Hwy 8 and then drive west 4.5 miles.
Food: Breakfast is not included. For an added charge, the kitchen and bar can be stocked upon arrival. Guests have use of a fully equipped outdoor kitchen. There are restaurants and markets within a few blocks.
More Info:
Overview Description
Accommodations and Rates
Cyclist Amenities

For all three of the places to stay in Houston:
Please follow the recommended bicycle route described on their Cyclist Amenities page and their RidewithGPS route in order to avoid heavy vehicle traffic on Hwy 8.

Campgrounds along/near the Parkway:

• Witch Dance Bicycle-Only Campground - The park service has a bicycle only, "primitive" campground at the Witch Dance site (milepost 233.2). Free tent camping only for cyclists biking the parkway.

Campgrounds further from the Parkway (not easy/safe to bike to):

• Stinkin Jim's Horse Park and Campground
  Located a few miles off the Parkway near Houston.

Food:

• Gather Coffee + Brew
  Open Tuesday thru Saturday for breakfast and lunch. Also, open Friday evening for dinner.
• Several Houston Restaurants

Featured Points of Interest:

• Downtown Houston is home to the southern terminus of the Tanglefoot Trail® (43-mile-long paved Rails to Trails route).
  Bicyclists, walkers and joggers can enjoy the trail while visiting Houston.
• Milepost 232.4 - Bynum Mounds
  Top 30, Indian History
• Houston, Mississippi - Houston is located 30 miles southwest of Tupelo and four miles west of the Natchez Trace Parkway. The land on which Houston resides was donated to the city by Judge Joel Pinson on the condition that it would be named for Sam Houston, a childhood friend. Houston hosts the annual spring and fall Mississippi Flywheel Festival in April and September.