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Natchez Trace State Park |
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Natchez Trace State Park was named for the famous Natchez to Nashville highway,
an important wilderness road during the early 18th and early 19th centuries.
With the many acres of scenic woodlands, the park includes four lakes, a
swimming beach, a 47 room resort inn and restaurant complex, cabins, group
lodge, camping areas, picnicking sites, playgrounds, a ballfield, a regulation
pistol firing range, picturesque hiking trails, a wrangler camp, 250 miles of
horse riding trails, a park store, and archery range.
Boating
All types of boats and water recreation vehicles are allowed at Pin Oak Lake.
There are two boat ramps available to the general public which accommodate up to
a 25' boat. Fishing boats are available only from Memorial Day through Labor
Day.
Pedal boat rentals also are available at Cub Lake from Memorial Day through
Labor Day.
Tennessee Boating Regulations (exit TDEC)
Cabins
Villas
Natchez Trace has 10 Villas situated on Pin Oak Lake. Each one is a 2-story
cabin and can accommodate 6 people comfortably. Each villa has 3 queen-size
beds, located as follows: the downstairs bedroom contains 2 beds along with a
bath and the upstairs bedroom has 1 bed with access to a bath. Also on the
upstairs level is a fully equipped kitchen with pots, pans, and utensils to
serve 6 people. There is a spacious living room with cable TV and a gas
fireplace. On the balcony (overlooking the lake) is a gas grill with table and
chairs. Every 2 villas share a boat dock. All towels and linens are provided.
(*** 2-night minimum stay required)
Cabins
The cabins at Natchez Trace are nestled among tall trees on beautiful Cub Lake.
The public beach and day-use area are located just across an arm of the lake and
are accessible via a rustic foot bridge. The cabins can accommodate up to four
people and are completely equipped for housekeeping, food preparation and
serving. All linens are provided. The cabins were recently renovated and were
reopened October, 15, 2005 with all new furnishings. Each cabin has a gas grill
on the deck and a picnic table. The cabins are air conditioned and each has a
gas fireplace.
Cabins are popular, so advance reservations are a must. Reservations are handled
by the Pin Oak Lodge.
Camping
The park's four campgrounds feature a total of 210 sites (20 tent camping sites
and 190 with full hook-ups). Sites are equipped with a table and a grill.
Bathhouses containing hot showers are conveniently located in all camping areas.
Two dump stations are provided for self contained rigs. Campsites are available
on a first-come, first-serve basis. The new RV camp located on Pin Oak Lake
offers sewers, fifty amps of power, level sites, two bathhouses each offering
laundry facilities, vending and telephone. The RV camp also offers a swimming
beach, playground, picnic shelter, camping cabins and boat dock.
Reservations cannot be accepted and stay is limited to two-weeks. A park store
with gas pump, offering a wide variety of groceries including canned goods, ice,
and picnic, camping supplies, fishing equipment and bait, is located a short
distance from the campgrounds.
Backcountry camping is allowed although a permit is required. There are four
backcountry campsites and up to 35 people may camp at any one site. Pets on
leashes are allowed, pack animals are not.
Conference Facility
The conference facility at Natchez Trace provides the following items for a fee:
* Catering
* Fax & Copying Machine
* Sound System
* Podium
* DVD/VCR Combo
* Screen
* Overhead Projector
* Microphones
* 27" TV
The following are available in printable .pdf format:
* Floor Plan, dimensions and capacities
* Breakout Room
* Conference Rooms A-B
* Conference Room B
* Natchez Room
Fishing
Fishing is one of the favorite activities at Natchez Trace, and anglers have
four lakes from which to choose. Fifty-eight acre Cub Lake and 690-acre Pin Oak
Lake are operated by the Parks Division. Ninety-acre Maple Creek Lake and
167-acre Brown's Creek Lake are operated by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Catches include bluegill, catfish, crappie, largemouth, rock and hybrid bass. A
park lake use permit is required on Pin Oak Lake, and persons over 16 years of
age must also possess a valid temporary or annual Tennessee fishing license.
Rowboats and pedal boats are available for rent at the park dock on Cub Lake.
Personally owned boats and motors are pemitted on all lakes except Cub Lake.
Tennessee Fishing Regulations (exit TDEC)
Tennessee State Parks fishing policies
Group Lodge
Natchez Trace group lodge consists of 4 cottages and one bunkhouse, an
administration building/dining hall and wash house. There's 1,211 square feet of
meeting space and the combined lodge facility can accomodate 64 adults
comfortably. Each cottage has 2 bathrooms with a tub and shower. Bunk house has
2 showers and 6 basins.
The kitchen facility is equipped with a stove, grill, oven, reach-in freezer,
reach-in cooler, ice maker, all of which are commercial grade. All utensils,
glassware and dishes are furnished.
Guests should provide their own linens, food and personal toiletries. Laundry
facilities are available.
Hiking Trails
Many miles of hiking trails meander through the forest and fields and along the
lake shores and streams of Natchez Park. There is even a long-distance,
overnight hiking trail for the backpacking enthusiast. Trails are closed during
managed gun hunts by TWRA. This schedule changes yearly. Contact the park for
more information.
Overnight camping is allowed on backpacking trails only.
Horseback Riding
Natchez Trace Wrangler Camp is located 2.2 miles south of I-40 on Hwy. 114. The
Bucksnort Wrangler Camp features 65 campsites with full hook-ups, two bathhouses
and a dump station. All electrical hook-ups are 50 amps. Each site has a picnic
table, ground grill, pedestal grill, lantern holder, water and hitching rail.
There are 250 miles of riding trails on the South end of the park. Campsites are
first come, first served. Campers are requested to leave site clear of horse
waste. No alcohol is allowed and pets must be kept on a leash. Quiet time is at
10 pm.
Read more about the park's horseback riding options, including a new Equestrian
Center.
Park Inn
Picturesque Pin Oak Lodge is situated on the wooded shores of Pin Oak Lake,
seven miles from Lexington. This 47-unit facility provides singles, doubles, and
suite accommodations. Support facilities include a playground, tennis courts,
and adult and kiddie swimming pools. Private meeting, dining rooms and a new
conference center are available. The inn also provides a free continental
breakfast daily.
Reservations can be made by calling: 1-800-250-8616 or 731-968-8176
Picnic Facilities
Numerous picnic sites with tables and grills are scattered among the tall pines
and hardwoods of Natchez Trace. All are conveniently located near restrooms,
water fountains, and playgrounds. Picnic shelters are also available for group
outings. Picnic supplies, beverages and ice may be purchased at the park store.
There are four picnic shelters in the park and each will accommodate 30-50
people. Grills are provided. There are two shelters located on Cub Lake and two
shelters on Pin Oak Lake.
Reservations for picnic shelters may be taken up to two years in advance. Call
1-800-250-8616 or 731-968-8176 for reservations.
Restaurant
The restaurant at Natchez Trace park overlooks the pool and beautiful Pin Oak
Lake and seats up to 170 people.
* *Continental Breakfast is served in the hotel lobby Monday-Friday (weekdays
only) from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. at no charge to inn and cabin guests
* Breakfast is served Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.
* Lunch is served Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
* Dinner is served Monday-Saturday from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
*Groups may contract a full breakfast with prior arrangements.
Swimming
A pool for inn and cabin guests is available at Pin Oak Lodge. There is a wading
pool for small children.
The park has a swimming beach, however, there is no lifeguard on duty at the
beach and visitors swim at their own risk.
Gift Shop
The gift shop offers a wide assortment of gifts, collectibles and souvenirs.You
can choose from a variety of items such as a cap and t-shirt to a crystal
ornament or a walking stick hand crafted in Tennessee, picture frames, magnets,
mugs, and plush animals for the kids. And if you have forgotten your toothbrush,
we have that too. Please come in, browse and enjoy.
Planned Programs
Natchez Trace State Park offers a variety of natural, historic, recreational,
and cultural programs. Visitors can enjoy programs such as hikes, bird of prey
demonstrations, wildlife programs, history programs on the Trace, hayrides and
much more. Most of our programs are offered year round. We do have favorite or
most requested programs that are done on a regular basis, but we can also
customize programs to meet the needs of special groups, events or special
requests. Fees are not normally charged for our programs. Contact the park for
more information.
Natchez Trace also has a year around program called the Outdoor Classroom. For
more information on programs contact the Interpretive Specialist at (731)
968-3742.
Annual Events
Race on the Trace, 5 mile run, January
Waylon Seagraves Trail Ride, March
Easter Egg Hunt, weekend before Easter
Tom Boyd Trail Ride, April
Quarterback Club Trail Ride, May
Gospel Music Festival, June
This Horse Is Silent Trail Ride, September
Crawley St. Jude Trail Ride, October
Shriner’s Ride, October
Other Activities
Activities to enjoy at the park include archery, basketball, horseshoes,
ping-pong, firing range, softball, tennis, volleyball, board games (no
electronic games), playgrounds and horseback riding. Games may be checked out at
Pin Oak Lodge. Free for guests. Sports equipment is not available.
There are several playgrounds located throughout the park. There is a day-use
playground at Cub Lake, one playground in each campground, one playground in the
Cub Lake cabin area, and one playground at Pin Oak Lodge.
Interpretive Center and Museum
Pilot Knob, the highest elevation in West Tennessee, houses the Tennessee River
Folklife Interpretive Center. The center features the life, ways, and customs of
folks on the Tennessee River and includes musseling, crafts, commercial fishing,
and more. Visitors can also enjoy browsing the gift shop that offers a large
variety of TN State Park souvenirs and other items.
HOURS:
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 7 days a week
11am-12pm the museum is closed for lunch each day.
**The park will open the Center upon request during days that we do not have any
staff available.
Tour Buses
Tour buses are welcome although we ask that you contact the park and make a
reservation. |
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