Natchez Trace Inn-to-Inn: Jackson to Natchez · openride.bike/tours/natchez-lower
Lower Natchez Trace · Self-guided

Natchez Trace Inn-to-Inn: Jackson to Natchez

Six days, five nights, four towns. You ride south from Jackson to Natchez on the Natchez Trace Parkway and the quiet state and county roads between. Every night is in a historic inn.

6 days5 nights
Est. 150-190Miles
Mar-Apr, OctBest months
$19

One payment, yours for good. Every day of the tour, every inn with phone numbers and price ranges, getting there and getting home, and a print view for each day. When something changes, the page changes.

Get access Already bought? Sign in

The tour

Six days, five nights, four towns. You ride south from Jackson to Natchez on the Natchez Trace Parkway and the quiet state and county roads between. Every night is in a historic inn.

You sleep in Vicksburg for two nights, at Canemount in Lorman for one, and in Natchez for two. Both layover days are short on purpose: the Vicksburg battlefield loop and a free day in Natchez.

Length6 days, 5 nights, plus a Sunday night in Jackson before you start
DistanceEst. 150-190 miles, depending on the options you take
Tour typeInn chain: linear, with two layover towns
Works forInn-to-inn riders and e-bike riders (with charging checks)
PaceModerate. Riding days of roughly 40-60 miles, layover days 0-30
SurfacePaved throughout. About half on the Natchez Trace Parkway, half on state and county roads
Best monthsMarch to April, and October
Best scheduleArrive Sunday, depart Saturday

Direction. South. You ride out of Jackson through Clinton to the Trace, on to Vicksburg, then down to Natchez. Winds generally favor riding north, so expect some headwind days. The payoff is finishing in Natchez.

Why Sunday to Saturday. Sunday to Saturday avoids the two weak spots. The Enterprise office in Natchez is closed Sundays, which rules out a Sunday one-way rental home, and Vicksburg has few dinner options on Sunday nights. It also puts the Trace days on weekdays, when traffic is lighter.

The bad hour. Somewhere on your second day in the saddle, usually a dozen or so miles in, you hit a low patch. Legs heavy, head asking why you signed up. It passes. Eat something, drink something, keep turning the pedals.

Best months

March to April and October. Book inns 6 to 8 weeks ahead for those months. Canemount has only six rooms. July and August are hot and humid. Spring brings rain, so carry a real rain jacket.

Day by day, in a line

  1. Ride out through Clinton to the Trace, south to MS 27, then west into Vicksburg. Est. 50-60 miles.
  2. Vicksburg layover. The 16-mile National Military Park loop, or no bike at all.
  3. Vicksburg to Port Gibson and Windsor Ruins, then Canemount at Lorman. The longest day. Est. 45-60 miles.
  4. Canemount to Natchez. Thirty miles of the best road on the Trace, ending at the parkway's southern terminus. Est. 44 miles. Full sample below.
  5. Natchez layover. Walk the bluff, or ride a loop of up to 30 miles.
  6. Home from Natchez by air, one-way rental, or pre-booked van.
Free sample day

Day 4: Canemount to Natchez

This is what every day in the paid tour looks like: the route, the road, where to eat and where to fill bottles.

Day 4 · Thu

Canemount to Natchez

est. 44 miles

The best Trace day of the tour. Seven miles east on MS 552 (the first 5 from Alcorn have a wide shoulder) to the Trace at MP 30. Then 30 miles south to the end of the parkway, and about 2.5 miles into town.

The road rolls, with about 1,800 feet of climbing.

Heads up
  • No food on the Trace between Lorman and Natchez.
Trace section only. Full day route coming.
The Trace part of today's ride. Mileposts are approximate. You join the Trace at MP 30 from MS 552 and finish about 2.5 miles into town. Route line: OpenStreetMap contributors.

Road notes

  • Coles Creek (MP 17.5) has restrooms and a bike repair station.
  • Mount Locust (MP 15.5): the old inn building is closed for structural repairs. The grounds are open.

Food and water

BreakfastAt Canemount.
LunchPack a lunch. There is no food on the Trace between Lorman and Natchez. For a late lunch in Natchez, try The Camp on Silver Street (daily 11-8) or Magnolia Grill (closed Mondays only).
DinnerThe Castle at Dunleith (Thursday 6-9) or Fat Mama's Tamales downtown.
WaterColes Creek, MP 17.5.

Worth the detour

  • Emerald Mound, 1 mile west on MS 553 at MP 10.3. It adds 2 miles. Go, everyone: it is the second-largest ceremonial mound in the country.

Hours last checked Sep 30, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Natchez Trace Inn-to-Inn tour from Jackson to Natchez?
Six days and five nights, plus a Sunday night in Jackson before you start. The riding is an estimated 150-190 miles, depending on the options you take. Riding days run roughly 40-60 miles. Days 2 and 5 are layovers.
Why start on a Sunday and finish on a Saturday?
The Enterprise office in Natchez is closed Sundays, which rules out a Sunday one-way rental home, and Vicksburg has few dinner options on Sunday nights. Sunday to Saturday also puts the Trace days on weekdays, when traffic is lighter.
Is the whole route on the Natchez Trace Parkway?
No. About half is on the parkway and half is on state and county roads. Everything is paved. The parkway has a 50 mph limit, 11-foot lanes and no shoulder. The state roads are a mix, and the tour page flags the stretches where the shoulder or traffic is unconfirmed.
What is the best time of year to ride it?
March to April and October. Summer heat and humidity make July and August hard going, and spring brings rain. Book inns 6 to 8 weeks ahead for the good months, because Canemount has only six rooms.
How do I get home from Natchez?
Fly out of Natchez to Houston, pick up an Enterprise one-way rental to Jackson airport by noon on Saturday, or book a van ahead. Greyhound to Baton Rouge and shipping your bike home are the other options. The tour page lists each one with phone numbers and costs.
Can I ride it on an e-bike?
Yes, with planning. Day 3 is the range test, with up to 60 miles of rolling terrain. Charge fully in Vicksburg and ask Canemount about an outlet for overnight charging. Vicksburg National Military Park allows e-bikes under 750W, but not riding on the motor alone.
Is there luggage transfer between inns?
Not confirmed for this route. Until one is found, plan to carry your own gear in panniers or a trunk bag, or have a friend drive it.
Can I camp instead of staying in inns?
Camping is thin on this route. Natchez State Park has tent sites about 10 miles north of town, and Rocky Springs has no drinkable water. This tour is built around inns. A camping version needs its own chain of stops.
How much does a self-guided Natchez Trace tour cost?
It depends on where you sleep. Camping keeps it low; inn-to-inn with historic B&Bs runs roughly $150-260 a night per room. Add food, getting to the start in Jackson, and getting home from Natchez. Access to this page includes every inn with its price range.
What is the bad hour?
Somewhere on your second day in the saddle, usually a dozen or so miles in, you hit a low patch. Legs heavy, head asking why you signed up. It passes. Eat something, drink something, keep turning the pedals.

Ready to ride?

$19 opens the full tour. Every day, every inn, every way home.

Get access