This bicycle route (Ridgeland to Houston) is one day of several different Natchez Trace Parkway 442 Mile, South to North (Natchez to Nashville) Itinerary Routes.

Overview Map:

  • Lodging option(s) and bicycle route(s):
    to the Parkway for the night BEFORE biking this section
  • Parkway route in Red:
    bike north 130 miles on the Multi-Use Path and Parkway from Ridgeland, MS (milepost 100-101) to Houston, MS (milepost 230)
    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

Below the Overview Map:

  • 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 230
    • After Biking on the Parkway:
      in the afternoon/evening in Houston, MS
  • Links to complete Natchez Trace Parkway 442 Mile, South to North Itinerary Routes that this one day route is part of

Ride Stats:

  • Miles on Parkway and Multi-Use Path: 130.1
  • Elevation Gain:
    3,105 feet (avg. 23.9 feet/mile)
    Maximum Grade: 5.0%
  • Elevation Loss:
    3,122 feet (avg. 24.0 feet/mile)
    Minimum Grade: -4.6%

Click any of the above Points of Interest categories to display them on the map.

Click on green links for more information.

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 230)

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

RidewithGPS route of the Parkway from milepost 100 to milepost 230 that includes the following points of interest and guidance:
ridewithgps.com/routes/43705216
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 - Exit the Multi-Use Path into the parking area at the Reservoir Overlook site.
    Turn right back onto the Parkway and bike north.
  • Milepost 105.6 - Reservoir Overlook
    Top 30, Scenic Overlook, Multi-Use Path Trailhead
  • 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 0.5 mile east of Parkway
  • Milepost 135.5 - MS Hwy 16 exit
    Markets 1.4 miles west of Parkway
  • Milepost 146 - MS Hwy 429 exit
    Restaurant 0.5 miles west of Parkway
  • Milepost 154.3 - Holly Hill
    Restroom, Picnic Area
  • Milepost 159 - MS Hwy 35 exit
    Several Markets and Restaurants within 0.5 mile north of Parkway
  • Milepost 160.0 - Kosciusko Information Center
    Restroom, Picnic Area, History/Nature Exhibit, Visitor/Info Center, Bicycle Repair Station
  • Milepost 180.8 - French Camp Historic Village
    Top 30, Restroom, Old Trace, History Exhibit, Restaurant
  • Milepost 180.8 - MS Hwy 413 exit
    Market 0.2 mile west of Parkway and Restaurants 0.1 mile east of Parkway
  • Milepost 193.1 - Jeff Busby Park
    Top 30, Restroom, Hiking Trail, Scenic Overlook, Picnic Area
  • Milepost 195 - MS Hwy 9 exit
    Market 100 feet south of Parkway
  • Milepost 204 - US Hwy 82 exit
    Markets and Restaurants less than a mile east of Parkway
  • Milepost 230 - MS Hwy 8
    End of the Day on the Parkway - exit at MS Hwy 8 exit - Houston, MS located 4.5 miles west of the Parkway
    Follow one of the "Lodging" bicycle routes to your Houston overnight stay!
    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.

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:

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

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

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):

Food:

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.

Complete Natchez Trace Parkway 442 Mile, South to North Itineraries:

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