Biking the Natchez Trace Parkway
South to North from the Tupelo, MS area to Belmont / Tishomingo, 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 north approximately 45 miles on the Parkway from the Tupelo, MS area (milepost 262, 266 or 276) to Belmont / Tishomingo, MS (milepost 293, 303 or 307)
• 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/near Tupelo, MS
  • Biking on the Parkway:
    during the day from milepost 262 to milepost 307
  • After Biking on the Parkway:
    in the afternoon/evening in the Belmont / Tishomingo, MS
• Links to complete Natchez Trace Parkway 442 Mile, South to North Itinerary Routes that this one day route is part of

Before Biking on the Parkway
(in the morning in the Tupelo, MS area)

Lodging (night before) options with Bicycle Route to Parkway, Camping, Food, Bicycle Shop:

Lodging:

Moon Lake Retreat (west of Tupelo)
Vacation Rental - 2 Guest Rooms/2 Beds/Sleeps 4 - A 77 acre farm located 10 miles west of downtown Tupelo.
Route:
Biking Unsupported: Bike 13.2 miles to Parkway entrance (recommended bicycle route from Moon Lake Retreat to Parkway - Parkway Visitor Center at milepost 266) - RidewithGPS Route
Biking Supported: Drive 6.5 miles to the Parkway at the McCullough Blvd entrance (milepost 262.5).

Grace On Trace Homestead (north of Tupelo)
Vacation Rental - 2 Guest Rooms/7 Beds/Sleeps 10 - Country setting on 5 acres about 13 miles north of Tupelo.
Route: Bike or Drive 2.1 miles to Parkway entrance (County Road 1303 at milepost 276) - RidewithGPS Route

Tupelo Hotels - There are several hotels located 1.5 to 3 miles of the Parkway (several on North Gloster Street about 2 miles from the McCullough Blvd exit at milepost 262). See: tupelo.net

Campgrounds along/near the Parkway:

• Tupelo Bicycle-only Campground - The park service has a bicycle only, primitive" campground near the Parkway Visitor Center (milepost 266). Free tent camping only for cyclists biking the parkway.

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

• There are other (private and state park) campgrounds in the Tupelo 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

Food:

• Numerous Tupelo Markets and Restaurants

Bicycle Shop:

• Trails & Treads -
  Bicycle Shop 3 miles south of Parkway exit (milepost 266.1) onto MS Hwy 145 at 3870 Market Center Drive, Suite 200, Tupelo

Natchez Trace Cycling
Promoting Cycling and Cycling Safety

Biking on the Parkway
(during the day from milepost 262 to milepost 307)

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

RidewithGPS route of the Parkway from milepost 262 to milepost 307 that includes the following points of interest and guidance:
ridewithgps.com/routes/43064852
You can download the route to your phone!

• Milepost 258-266 - Note: vehicle traffic is much higher in the Tupelo area (milepost 258 - 266) 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 262.5 - MS Hwy 178 (McCullough Blvd)
  Start of the Day on the Parkway (if biking supported and staying at Moon Lake Farm the previous night OR if biking unsupported and staying at a hotel on North Gloster Road the previous night) - entrance MS Hwy 178 (McCullough Blvd)
• Milepost 266.0 - Parkway Visitor Center
  Top 30, Restroom, History/Nature Exhibit, Visitor/Info Center, Hiking Trail, Picnic Area, Bicycle Repair Station
• Milepost 266.0 - Parkway Visitor Center
  Start of the Day on the Parkway (if biking unsupported and staying at Moon Lake Farm the previous night OR staying anywhere else the previous night and biking supported
  to avoid heavy vehicle traffic thru Tupelo we recommend starting at the visitor center located on the north side of Tupelo) - entrance Parkway Visitor Center
• Milepost 266.1 - MS Hwy 145 exit
  Market and Restaurant 1.5 miles south of Parkway, Bicycle Shop 3 miles south of Parkway
• Milepost 269.4 - Confederate Gravesites and Old Trace
  Top 30, Civil War History, Old Trace
• Milepost 271 - MS Hwy 363 exit
  Market 0.8 miles west of Parkway
• Milepost 276 - Lee County Road 1303
  Start of the Day on the Parkway (if staying at Grace On Trace Homestead the previous night) - entrance Lee County Road 1303
• Milepost 286.7 - Pharr Mounds
  Top 30, Restroom, Indian History, Picnic Area
• Milepost 293.4 - Belmont, MS lodging
  End of the Day on the Parkway (if biking unsupported and staying overnight in Belmont) - exit at County Road 1/John Rankin Hwy exit
  Follow one of the "Lodging" bicycle routes to your Belmont overnight stay!
• Milepost 303 - MS Hwy 25 exit
  Restaurant 2.8 miles south of Parkway
• Milepost 303 - Belmont, MS lodging
  End of the Day on the Parkway (if biking supported and staying overnight in Belmont) - exit at MS Hwy 25 southbound exit
  Drive to your Belmont overnight stay! Do not bike on MS Hwy 25
• Milepost 304.5 (adjacent to the parkway) - Tishomingo State Park
  Top 30, Hiking Trail, Picnic Area, History/Nature Exhibit, Daily Use Fee
• Milepost 307 - Tishomingo, MS lodging
  End of the Day on the Parkway - exit at MS Hwy 30 exit - Bear Creek Saloon Guesthouse 1.5 miles west of Parkway
  Follow their bicycle route to your overnight stay!

Bubba's Pampered Pedalers
Ace the Natchez Trace Bike Tour

After Biking on the Parkway
(in the afternoon/evening near milepost 293, 303 and 307)

Milepost 293 and 303 - Belmont, MS 7 miles east or south of the Parkway - Lodging with Bicycle Route from Parkway, Camping, Food and Featured Points of Interest Options:

Lodging:

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 east from Parkway exit (County Road 1/John Rankin Hwy at milepost 293.4, then follow "back roads" route) - RidewithGPS Route
Food: Coffee, tea, a fruit/cheese tray, breakfast bars, popcorn and light snacks are provided with your standard guest rate. For an additional fee and with advance notice, other food items can be provided. Please note that the nearest markets and restaurants are located four miles away in downtown Belmont. Some of the restaurants in Belmont can deliver dinner.
More Info:
Overview Description
Savannah's Sanctuary Accommodations and Rates
Naomi's Nest Accommodations and Rates
Cyclist Amenities

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 east from Parkway exit (County Road 1/John Rankin Hwy at milepost 293.4, then follow "back roads" route) - RidewithGPS Route
Biking Supported: Exit Parkway at milepost 303 onto MS Hwy 25 and then drive south 6.5 miles.
Food: Breakfast is included at Sparks Restaurant located next door. Each suite/house/cottage has either a fully equipped kitchen or a kitchenette.
More Info:
Overview Description
Accommodations and Rates
Cyclist Amenities

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

Featured Points of Interest:

• Milepost 304.5 (adjacent to the parkway) - Tishomingo State Park
  Top 30, Hiking Trail, Picnic Area, History/Nature Exhibit, Daily Use Fee
• Bay Springs Lake
  Bay Springs Lake is a reservoir on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway in northeast Mississippi. It is impounded by the Jamie Whitten Lock and Dam.

Milepost 307 - Tishomingo, MS west of the Parkway - Lodging with Bicycle Route from Parkway, Camping and Featured Points of Interest Options:

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 west from Parkway exit (MS Hwy 307 at milepost 307) - RidewithGPS Route
Food: Breakfast is not included but you have a fully equipped kitchen and you may have groceries and food delivered from Sunshine Grocery Store in Tishomingo. If you are bicycling without a car they can deliver to the guest house.
More Info:
Overview Description
Accommodations and Rates
Cyclist Amenities

Campgrounds along/near the Parkway:

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

Featured Points of Interest:

• Milepost 304.5 (adjacent to the parkway) - Tishomingo State Park
  Top 30, Hiking Trail, Picnic Area, History/Nature Exhibit, Daily Use Fee