Natchez Trace; mid-October; entire lengh; where to RV camp?

[GlennB]

We travel with our 30' fifth-wheel. On or about Oct. 12 we will leave central Kentucky and head to San Diego via Houston, Tex. I have never traveled the Natchez Trace and this may be a good time to do it.
We would start near Nashville, Tenn. and stay on it to the Natchez area (possible detour to Vicksburg.
I have questions:
1. Where to "camp" along the way? Not looking for anything fancy, just a quiet, safe place with easy access.
2. For mid-October travel along the route will we need reservations at the various campgrounds/RV parks?
3. Anything else we should know?
Glenn

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Davis Lakes Campground. From Tupelo, drive 17 miles south on the Natchez Trace Parkway to the Davis Lake Recreation Area Exit at milepost 243. Turn right on Davis Lake Road and continue 4 miles to the campground. Water and electric with dump station in park. Small park so I would make reservations on www.recreation.gov 1/2 price if you qualify with America the Beautiful pass. Small fishing lake. We camped in Site 7.

[Johno02]

Natchez was their "winter" homes. While you are there, Find out more about the area, and the people. Its interesting, especially after reading history books.

Trace , at Tupelo, is a very nice State Park campground, and Elvis's home is fun to see.

Edited for spelling.

[More_To_See]

Across the river from Natchez in Vidalia Louisiana is a real popular RV Park with a good view of traffic up and down the river.

In Tupelo is an excellent Car Museum well worth checking out.

And a couple blocks away is the Birthplace Home of Elvis Presley. It's a modest low key place without all the glitz normally associated with him.

You might also consider poking around Natchez for a day or two if you have the time. There are some antebellum homes you can tour and they have a restaurant row down along the river below the high banks there. They might call that area "below the rim" or something like that. And they might still have a little tour bus that gives you an excellent introduction to the town.

There is a tremendous amount of history in Natchez. For a while back in the King Cotton days it had way more millionaires than any other town in America.

EDIT: Actually that area along the river is called Under the Hill

Good travels

[brirene]

While traveling the trace last spring we stayed at Trace sp and Natchez sp. Both were just minutes off the trace, and both were very nice. I doubt you would have problems finding spots in October, especially during the week, but you can reserve sites if you care to plan that far ahead.

[Johno02]

One more thing, you said you will starting from Nashville. The section from Nashville down to Meriwether Lewis is good, but has more hills and twists than all the rest of the drive. It rolls down through the Harpeth Hills, one of the prettiest parts of Tennessee. Just don't feel that the entire drive is like that section. As you go through that section, you won't see anything to indicate it, but you will be closer to a lot of folks than you would ever be at one of their stage shows.

[D_E_Bishop]

Check this months issue of MotorHome Magazine, there is a good article in it. I would look elsewhere as well but it is a good article.

[bgum]

As BobR stated there are 3 free campgrounds on the trace. No hookups but restrooms and water at restrooms. There are many commercial RV parks within a mile of the trace. There are several state parks along the way. Enjoy a nice easy trip.

[Johno02]

The casino at Vicksburg has a very nice campground. Here is a list of all the popular campground close to the Trace. We have visited a good number of these. Among our favorites are Tishomingo State Park, David Crockett State Park, Barnes Crossing, Piney Grove, Trace State Park, Natchez State Park, Jeff Busby

NPS Natchez Trace Campgrounds

[BobR]

Natchez Trace is a great drive. Take a few days and explore its many stops. There are three free campgrounds on the drive with no hook ups which will easily accommodate your set up. They do have clean and modern restrooms.

[darsben]

Buy the Natchez trace book
http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Natchez-Trace-Parkway-Bachleda/dp/0897329252

[Matt_Colie]

We have run the Trace a number of times. There are now several free state/federal campsites on the trace, but unless you are ready for flatspotting, the may not be for you. Our favorite is Jeff Busby (mp193), but there are two others now. I can't tell you about commercial or FHU as we don't bother.

The run into Vicksburg is a good idea. You might choose to pick a local CG to drop the 5er.

Enjoy the ride.

Matt