Natchez Trace State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Natchez Trace State Park |
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 Natchez Trace State Park
Location in Tennessee
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| Location | Western Tennessee |
| Nearest city | Wildersville |
| Area | 10,154 acres (41.09 km2) |
| Website | Natchez Trace State Park |
Natchez Trace State Park is a fun state park in western Tennessee, USA. It's named after the old Natchez Trace path. This path was a super important trail for travelers long ago. The park is huge, covering over 48,000 acres (190 km2)! You can find many trails, places to camp, and even go horseback riding here. There are also lots of cool activities on the water.
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Discovering Natchez Trace State Park
The Historic Natchez Trace Path
Natchez Trace State Park gets its name from the famous Natchez Trace. This was a woodland road that connected Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. It was a very important path for American pioneers in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
But guess what? Native American people had used this path for trading for hundreds of years before that! A part of this old trail even ran through what is now the state park.
How the Park Was Built
This amazing park is 10,154-acre (4,109 ha) big. It was created during a time called the New Deal. The government bought land from people who couldn't farm it anymore because of erosion.
Along with lots of forests, the park also had four lakes. Workers built a swimming beach and a large hotel with a restaurant. Today, the park has cabins, group lodges, and many camping spots. You can also find picnic areas, playgrounds, and a ball-field. There's even a special range for pistol shooting and an archery range!
The park also has 250 miles (400 km) of trails just for horse riding. Plus, there's a park store for visitors.
Fun Activities at Natchez Trace Park
There are so many cool things to do at Natchez Trace State Park!
Cub Lake Adventures
Cub Lake is 58 acres (230,000 m2) and perfect for swimming. You can also rent jon-boats and paddle boats here. Boat rentals are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Cub Lake also has a free public beach where everyone can swim.
Pin Oak Lake Fun
Pin Oak Lake is a much larger lake, about 690 acres (2.8 km2). It has two boat ramps, making it easy to get on the water. This is the only lake in the park where you can go water skiing!
You can also enjoy fishing, picnicking, and swimming here. There are even places for R.V. camping. If you stay overnight, you don't need a special permit. The Pin Oak Lodge, which is a hotel, has a swimming pool for its guests and cabin visitors.
Browns and Maples Lakes
Browns Lake is 167 acres (0.68 km2) and Maples Lake is 90 acres (360,000 m2). Each of these lakes has one boat ramp. You can get jon-boats, life jackets, and paddles on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits for these lakes are available right at the sites.
Horseback Riding Trails
If you love horses, you're in luck! Natchez Trace Park has 250 miles (400 km) of riding trails. These trails are located in the southern part of the park.
Where to Find Natchez Trace State Park
Natchez Trace State Park is located in three different counties in Tennessee: Carroll, Henderson, and Benton. It's close to a small town called Wildersville.
The big highway, Interstate 40, actually cuts right through the park. The park is about the same distance from two major cities: Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee.
