What Natchez Trace State Park is known for

Natchez Trace State Park Destination is located primarily in the state of Tennessee, one of the southern states of the United States. The region encompasses multiple cities, such as Waverly, Savannah, Jackson, Somerville, and Lexington. Natchez Trace State Park, the namesake of the destination, is located relatively close to the city of Lexington. The park was named after the area’s history with the historic Natchez Trace woodland path; this path was deemed an "important wilderness trail" during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This path was utilized by the Native Americans in the area during the time that it served as a trade path.[4]

The aforementioned city of Jackson is one of the more prominent areas in the destination. Jackson is the county seat of Madison County. Memphis, Tennessee, is a generally well-known city that is located west of the region, specifically 70 miles west of Jackson.[9] A population of 68,205 residents accounted for the city's total population, according to the 2020 census. Jackson’s population makes it the 9th largest city in the state of Tennessee, which continues to grow at a 0.43% rate, making the current population 69,102 residents.[1]

There are various activities one can do in the Natchez Trace State Park. These include picnicking, camping, bicycling, viewing the changing colors of the leaves (depending on the time of the year), walking the historical trace, horseback riding, fishing, and hiking.[3] Attractions, specifically around Jackson are the local West Tennessee Farmers’ Market; Rusty’s TV & Movie Car Museum, which features over 50 cars used in movies and TV shows; Casey Jones Village, honoring Casey Jones who was a local railroad engineer; Century Farm Winery; Cypress Grove Nature Park; and Carl Perkins Civic Center, where people can watch live music and dance performances.[2]

Early May to late June is claimed to be the “best times of year to visit Jackson for warm-weather activities.” This statement is based on Weather Spark's tourism score for the area. The weather for the general area of Jackson varies throughout the year, ranging from 31 degrees Fahrenheit to 90 degrees on average.[5]

Geography

Currently, the Natchez Trace State Park covers over 48,000 acres of land. Outdoor activities are common within the park, specifically camping, horseback riding, hiking, and waterfront activities. Cub Lake is one of the locations where the water activities are primarily located. The lake is about 58 acres and is often used for jon-boats and paddle boats. Another lake in the state park is Pin Oak Lake, which is considerably larger than Cub Lake as it encompasses 690 acres. Pin Oak Lake is often used for water skiing, fishing, and swimming. Browns Lake is another water feature in the area, also used for water sports and activities.[4]

Aside from being a fairly popular site among outdoor enthusiasts, Natchez Trace State Park also serves as a habitat for various amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. There are reportedly 33 species of mammals, including white-tailed deer, coyote, fox, armadillo, and bears, to name a few. Turtles, lizards, alligators, and snakes are a few of the reptiles found in the park.[6] Flora native to the park is eastern broadleaf, hickory, pine, and oak trees. There are almost 2,200 plant species that have been documented within the park.[7]

The weather in the region is known to vary depending on the time of year. However, on average, it ranges anywhere from 31 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, specifically in the city of Jackson. Relatively warmer temperatures are common between the end of May to the end of September, the average high temperature being over 82 degrees. The average daily high for the colder months, specifically from the end of November to February, is 57 degrees. January is typically the coldest month during this period. The wettest season for the Jackson area is between March to July, with each given day having a greater than 32% chance of precipitation. Two common forms of precipitation for the area include rain and snow, with snow commonly occurring between December and February.[5]

History

During the late 18th and 19th centuries, what is currently known as Natchez Trace State Park, the namesake of the destination, started to be used by settlers as a road for American frontiersmen. Before that time, it was utilized by Native Americans in the area as a trade route for hundreds of years.[4] The area was officially settled in the 1830s by Joseph Morris and the band of settlers he led. As a result of the Native Americans and early settlers utilizing the route, the land was eventually shaped by their travels, further “tramping out and identifying a more definite Trace.” It is reported that signs of the earlier settlers are still visible today, specifically through “deep, gullied erosion of the park.”[8] 

Jackson, Tennesse—also located in the Natchez Trace State Park Destination—was originally inhabited by the Chickasaw people. However, they were eventually “pushed out by European-American settlers under various treaties with the United States,” resulting in the Indian Removal Act of 1830. When first settled, the area was known as Alexandria, later renamed after General Andrew Jackson in 1822 to honor him as a hero from the War of 1812. During the area’s early history, it was primarily used to cultivate agriculture through cotton plantations. Development progressed further through the addition of a railroad junction. Passenger trains gave direct access to surrounding areas such as Memphis, Nashville, Meridian, Montgomery, and Birmingham.[9]

Jackson has continued to grow throughout the years, especially in terms of population. As of the 2020 census, nearly 68,205 people were recorded to be residing within the city. Currently, the population is reported to have grown by 3.95%, making the current total 69,102 inhabitants. The number of residents continues to increase at an average rate of 0.42%. Jackson also has a relatively diverse demographic of residents. White individuals are the most common racial demographic in the area as they constitute 48.31% of the population; however, it is closely followed by those who are black/African American (45.57%). Other races in the area include Asians (1.35%) and Native Americans (0.12%).[1]