Travelers
5 Guests
Duration
8 Days
Status
Planning
Trip Maps
Full Route Overview
Base Camp – Nights 1, 2 & 7
Night 4 – Tupelo
Night 5 – Florence/Muscle Shoals
Your Travel Party
| Traveler | Type | Notes | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rider 1 | Adult | ||
| Rider 2 | Adult | ||
| Rider 3 | Adult | ||
| Rider 4 | Adult | ||
| Rider 5 | Adult |
Trip Notes
5 experienced cyclists. One rider has family homeplace in Carthage, MS. One rider has house in Huntsville, AL. All riders depart from/return to Lucedale, MS.
Accommodations
Family Homeplace
LocationCarthage, MS
Nights2
Rate$0/night
Econo Lodge Kosciusko (or Maple Terrace Inn B&B)
LocationKosciusko, MS
Nights1
Hotel Tupelo (boutique) or Hampton Inn & Suites Tupelo/Barnes Crossing
LocationTupelo, MS
Nights1
Rider's House
LocationHuntsville, AL
Nights1
Rate$0/night
GunRunner Boutique Hotel or Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa
LocationFlorence, AL
Nights1
Family Homeplace
LocationCarthage, MS
Nights1
Rate$0/night
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Lucedale, MS → Carthage, MS
Family Homeplace
(Night 1)
• Check-in
Driving Day
Distance:
~200 miles
Drive Time:
3.5 hours via US-98 W to I-59 N to I-20 W to MS-35 N
Driving Tips
- Caravan up from Lucedale
- Stop at grocery in Carthage to load cooler for Day 2 picnic
- Grab ice and beverages for the homeplace party
Afternoon
Arrive at Homeplace – Gear Check & Setup
Unload bikes, check tire pressure, adjust derailleurs, charge lights. Set up the support truck rotation schedule for the week.
Evening
Homeplace Party
Welcome party at the homeplace. Grill out, cold beer, catch up with the crew, talk strategy for the week. Review the rotation schedule and daily routes.
Restaurant Recommendations
Grill Out at Homeplace
$
Burgers, steaks, and sausages on the grill. BYOB cooler. This is the warm-up round.
2
Rocky Springs → Carthage, MS
Family Homeplace
(Night 2)
Driving Day
Distance:
~80 miles on the Trace
Drive Time:
5-6 hours saddle time at 14-16 mph avg
Driving Tips
- SUPPORT TRUCK: Drive group to Rocky Springs (MP 55) start point. First driver drops peloton and drives ahead 10 miles to MP 65 area.
- Each rotation: load bike, drive 10 mi, park at pullover, wait for group, swap rider
- Roughly 8 rotations today = each rider drives ~2 times
- Watch for the Jackson metro area (MP 87-102) – exits to Ridgeland for emergency resupply if needed
- Finish at MP 135 exit to Carthage via MS Hwy 16 – 10 miles east to homeplace
Mile 54.8
Rocky Springs – Start Point
Historic ghost town, old church and cemetery, spring-fed creek. Walk the Old Trace trail segment before mounting up. Great photo op at the 1837 church.
Mile 73.5
Dean Stand
Site of one of the original Natchez Trace 'stands' (frontier inns). Quick historical marker stop.
~Mile 90
Picnic Lunch – River Bend Area
Multiple picnic areas between MP 87-105 in the Jackson/Ridgeland area. Parkway Information Cabin at MP 102.4 has restrooms and shelter.
Mile 122.0
Cypress Swamp Nature Trail
20-minute boardwalk loop through tupelo/bald cypress swamp. Watch for alligators! One of the most atmospheric stops on the entire Trace.
Mile 135
Exit to Carthage
Turn east on MS Hwy 16 for the 10-mile ride to homeplace. Support truck can shuttle tired riders.
Restaurant Recommendations
Homeplace Cookout Round 2
$
Rest those legs, fire up the grill again. You earned it.
The Café on the Square – Carthage
$$
Southern
Downtown Carthage option if you want to eat out. Southern comfort food on the historic court square.
3
Carthage → Kosciusko, MS
Econo Lodge Kosciusko or Maple Terrace Inn
(Night 1)
• Check-in
Driving Day
Distance:
~25 miles on the Trace + 10 mi to/from Carthage = ~45 miles total riding
Drive Time:
3-4 hours saddle time – SHORT DAY for rest & exploration
Driving Tips
- Easy day by design – recovery from Day 1's 80-miler
- Drive from homeplace to MP 135 to start, or ride the 10 miles on Hwy 16 to warm up
- Only 3 support rotations needed today
- Use extra time to explore French Camp or Kosciusko town
- Grocery stop in Kosciusko for next day's picnic supplies
Mile 140.0
Red Dog Road
Named for a Choctaw chief. Quick roadside marker – opened in 1834.
Mile 145.1
Myrick Creek
Self-guiding nature trail through bottomland hardwoods. Good leg-stretcher.
Mile 160.0
Kosciusko Information Center
Restrooms, exhibits about the town and Oprah Winfrey's birthplace, and a bike repair station with air pump and basic tools. Named for the Polish Revolutionary War hero.
Afternoon
Explore Kosciusko
Named one of America's 100 Best Small Towns. Historic court square, antique shops, L.V. Hull's eclectic yard art. Oprah Winfrey was born here in 1954.
Restaurant Recommendations
Skylight Grill
$$
American/Southern
New American with Southern flair. Original burgers, specialty sandwiches, fresh salad bar, full bar. Pasta and grill items. Good craft beer selection.
Outfielders Sports Bar & Grill
$$
Bar & Grill
Sports bar on the downtown court square. Big screens, cold beer, solid bar food. Perfect for a group of cyclists wanting to unwind.
Kosy Wings & Daiquiri Factory
$
Wings/Southern
Wings, Southern cooking, and frozen daiquiris. Fun atmosphere for the crew.
4
Kosciusko → Tupelo, MS
Hotel Tupelo or Hampton Inn
(Night 1)
• Check-in
Driving Day
Distance:
~106 miles on the Trace (adjust: exit MP 260 area for Tupelo = ~100 miles)
Drive Time:
6-7 hours saddle time – THE BIG DAY
Driving Tips
- Longest day of the trip – start early, 7:30am on the road
- This is the flattest section of the Trace – miles will roll
- French Camp (MP 180.7) is the LAST food/services until Tupelo area
- Jeff Busby (MP 193) has picnic shelter, restrooms, scenic overlook – good lunch stop
- Fill water bottles at every opportunity – long stretches between stops
- About 10 support rotations = each rider drives twice
- Exit at MS Hwy 6 (MP 260) for Tupelo – about 6 miles east to downtown
Mile 180.7
French Camp Historic Village
Council House Café for a hot biscuit and coffee stop (open Tue-Sat). Historic log cabin museum, original Old Trace segment. French Camp Academy founded 1885.
Mile 193.1
Jeff Busby Park – Little Mountain Overlook
One of the highest points on the MS section of the Trace. Short steep trail to overlook with 20-mile views. Picnic shelter, restrooms, and free primitive camping. IDEAL LUNCH STOP.
Mile 232.4
Bynum Mounds
Six Indian burial mounds built between 100 BC and 100 AD. Quick roadside stop with interpretive signs.
Mile 259.7
Tupelo National Battlefield
Site of the last major Civil War battle in Mississippi (July 1864). One-acre memorial park. Quick stop on the way into town.
Evening
Elvis Presley Birthplace (drive-by or quick visit)
The modest two-room shotgun house where the King was born in 1935. Museum, chapel, and childhood church on the grounds. You're in Tupelo – gotta tip the hat.
Restaurant Recommendations
Blue Canoe
$$
Cajun/Southern/Bar
THE spot for hungry, beer-thirsty cyclists. Largest tap list in North Mississippi – 48 craft beers on tap at any time, 100+ rotating. Cajun-inspired bar food: pot roast, crack dip fries, fried baloney sandwich (trust us), duck street tacos. Live music most nights. Connie's Blueberry Donut Bread Pudding for dessert. This is your place.
Neon Pig
$$
Butcher/American
Butcher shop + restaurant with one of the best craft beer selections in Mississippi. The Famous Smash Burger won Thrillist's 'Best Burger in the U.S.' – aged filet, ribeye, strip, sirloin and Benton's bacon blend with hoisin, comeback sauce, cheddar, pickled onions on ciabatta. Also a full butcher counter and fresh Gulf seafood.
Johnnie's Drive-In
$
Diner/American
Tupelo's oldest restaurant, open since 1945. Sit in Elvis's booth. Try the doughburger – a North Mississippi delicacy. Cash only. Classic Americana carhop service.
Fairpark Grill
$$
American/Tex-Mex
Great patio, craft beer, live music. Baja fish tacos, burgers, and homemade Snickers bar pie. Perfect post-ride vibe.
5
Tupelo → Cherokee, AL → Huntsville, AL
Rider's House
(Night 1)
• Check-in
Driving Day
Distance:
~54 miles riding on the Trace (MP 266 to MP 320) + ~90 mile truck shuttle to Huntsville
Drive Time:
4-5 hours riding + 1.5 hour drive to Huntsville
Driving Tips
- Shorter riding day – only 54 Trace miles to the US-72 exit at Cherokee, AL (MP 320)
- Beautiful rolling terrain as you enter Alabama – scenery changes noticeably
- At MP 320, load all bikes on truck and drive east on US-72 to Huntsville (~90 miles, ~1.5 hrs)
- About 5-6 support rotations today
- Pharr Mounds at MP 286.7 is a must-stop – ancient and atmospheric
- Alabama section begins at MP 308.9
Mile 269.4
Chickasaw Village Site
Interpretive exhibits about the Chickasaw people who once dominated this region. Nature trail loop.
Mile 278.4
Twentymile Bottom Overlook
Sweeping views across bottomland forest. Good photo stop.
Mile 286.7
Pharr Mounds
Eight massive dome-shaped burial mounds spread across a 90-acre meadow, built 1,800-2,000 years ago. One of the most important archaeological sites in the Southeast. The scale is impressive – some mounds are 18 feet high. Walk among them at sunset if timing works.
Mile 304.5
Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway / Tenn-Tom
Cross the massive waterway connecting the Tennessee River to the Gulf. Bridge views.
Mile 308.4
Cave Spring
Short trail to a natural limestone spring. First stop in Alabama! Cold spring water – splash your face.
Mile 320.3
Buzzard Roost Spring
Named for Levi Colbert (Chickasaw leader known as Itte-wamba Mingo). Beautiful spring site and the turnaround point for today's ride. Load bikes on the truck here.
Restaurant Recommendations
Home Cooking at Rider's House
$
Nothing beats a home-cooked meal after a week on the road. Grill steaks, crack open the good beer, sleep in real beds.
Huntsville Restaurants (if going out)
$$-$$$
Huntsville has an excellent food scene: Pints & Pixels (arcade bar + beer), Straight to Ale Brewery, The Poppy (farm-to-table), Below the Radar Brewhouse. The crew can decide based on energy levels.
6
Cherokee, AL → Florence/Muscle Shoals, AL
GunRunner Boutique Hotel or Marriott Shoals
(Night 1)
• Check-in
Driving Day
Distance:
~21 miles on the Trace (MP 320 to MP 341) + truck shuttle from Huntsville to MP 320 start
Drive Time:
1.5-2 hours riding – VICTORY LAP + exploration afternoon
Driving Tips
- Morning: Drive from Huntsville back to MP 320 (~1.5 hours) to pick up where you left off
- Short final ride through the beautiful Alabama hills section
- This is the victory lap – savor it!
- Only 2-3 support rotations needed for 21 miles
- After MP 341 (Alabama/Tennessee line area), load bikes and drive to Florence (~15 miles east)
- Afternoon free for Florence/Muscle Shoals exploration
Mile 327.3
Colbert Ferry
Historic river crossing site with ranger station, restrooms, picnic area, and fishing. George Colbert charged Andrew Jackson $75,000 to ferry his army across the Tennessee River here. Now that's a toll road.
Mile 338
Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall
Tom Hendrix spent 30 years building this mile-long unmortared stone wall honoring his great-great-grandmother Te-lah-nay, who was forced on the Trail of Tears and walked back to her homeland. Largest un-mortared wall in the US outside the Smithsonian. Profoundly moving.
Mile 341.8
Alabama/Tennessee State Line – FINISH!
You did it! 5 days, ~310 miles on the Natchez Trace. Group photo at the state line. Champagne optional but recommended.
Afternoon
Explore Florence & Muscle Shoals
W.C. Handy Birthplace Museum (Father of the Blues), FAME Recording Studios, Frank Lloyd Wright's Rosenbaum House (only Wright house in Alabama), Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia. This area birthed an unbelievable amount of American music.
Afternoon (Optional)
Rattlesnake Saloon
A bar and restaurant built UNDER a massive rock overhang in the woods near Tuscumbia. You ride horses or take a wagon down to it. Open Thu-Sat. Truly one-of-a-kind. Check hours/reservations.
Restaurant Recommendations
Odette
$$$
New American/Southern
Downtown Florence neighborhood bistro. Farm-focused New American with Southern and international flavors. The Odette Cheeseburger is legendary. Craft cocktails, Alabama craft beers, extensive whiskey list. This is the celebration dinner.
Wildwood Tavern / North Wood Social
$$
American/Gastropub
Both highly rated in Florence. Wildwood has great burgers and craft beer. North Wood Social has a fun vibe with inventive specials and cold drafts.
Swampers Bar & Grille
$$
Southern/Bar
Named after the legendary Muscle Shoals session musicians ('The Swampers'). Fried pickles, shrimp, cold beer. Music-themed atmosphere.
Staggs Grocery
$
Diner
No-frills Florence diner since 1938. Flat-top griddle burgers, old-school counter service. A local legend – the kind of place savvy travelers seek out.
Rosie's Mexican Cantina
$$
Tex-Mex
Tex-Mex favorites and margaritas in downtown Florence. Great for a group that wants enchiladas and frozen margs after a week of Southern food.
7
Florence, AL → Carthage, MS
Family Homeplace
(Night 3)
• Check-in
Driving Day
Distance:
~230 miles
Drive Time:
3.5-4 hours via US-72 W to Natchez Trace south (or I-22/US-45/MS-16)
Driving Tips
- Sleep in – no saddle time today!
- Consider driving the Trace back south for part of the trip – you'll see it differently from a truck
- Or take the faster highway route: US-72 to I-22 to US-45 to MS-16 to Carthage
- Stop at a BBQ joint along the way for lunch
- Grocery stop for final night cookout supplies
Morning
Lazy Morning in Florence
Sleep in, big breakfast, pack up bikes and gear. No rush.
Afternoon
Road Trip to Carthage
3.5-4 hour drive back to the homeplace. Play the trip highlight reel in the truck.
Evening
Farewell Cookout
Final night at the homeplace. Grill the last of the cooler supplies, tell lies about how fast you were, plan next year's ride.
Restaurant Recommendations
Farewell Cookout at Homeplace
$
One last grill session. Finish the beer cooler. Plan 2027.
8
Carthage, MS → Lucedale, MS
Driving Day
Distance:
~200 miles
Drive Time:
3.5 hours
Driving Tips
- Pack up, load bikes, say goodbye to the homeplace
- Easy drive south: MS-35 S to I-20 E to I-59 S to US-98 E
- Stop for a big breakfast in Carthage before hitting the road
- You'll be home by early afternoon
Morning
Pack Up & Say Goodbye
Load bikes, clean up the homeplace, hit the road home.
Afternoon
Arrive Home in Lucedale
Unpack, collapse on the couch, text the group chat: 'When are we doing this again?'
Useful Resources
NPS – Bicycling the Natchez Trace
Official NPS cycling guide with safety tips, milepost charts, and regulations
View Resource →Scenic Trace – Communities & Services
Comprehensive guide to communities, lodging, dining, and services along the Natchez Trace Parkway
View Resource →Natchez Trace Travel
B&Bs, restaurants, attractions, and milepost-by-milepost guide for the entire Trace
View Resource →Neon Pig – Tupelo
Butcher shop & restaurant – home of the Famous Smash Burger and great craft beer
View Resource →Visit Tupelo – Food & Drink Guide
Complete Tupelo restaurant directory including the Taste Tupelo Trail and Cocktail Trail
View Resource →Important Notes
- PERSONAL TRIP – not a client booking
- Support Vehicle System: 5 riders rotate driving the truck. Each rotation = ~10 miles. One rider loads bike in truck bed, drives ahead 10 miles, parks at a pullover/rest area, waits for peloton, swaps out with next driver. Each rider drives roughly once per ~50 miles.
- Truck carries: cooler with lunch supplies, water/Gatorade, spare tubes, pump, basic tools, first aid kit, sunscreen
- Natchez Trace Parkway rules: 50 mph speed limit, no commercial traffic, bikes share the road, designated bike route
- Restrooms available every 20-30 miles along the Trace
- No gas stations or food on the parkway itself – must exit to nearby towns for fuel and meals
- Pack picnic cooler each morning from hotel/grocery: sandwiches, fruit, energy bars, cold drinks
- Recommended daily schedule: 7am breakfast, 8am saddle up, noon-ish picnic lunch on the Trace, 3-4pm arrive at hotel, clean up, dinner by 6pm
