Natchez Trace State Forest and WMA
Directions and Description
Site Directions: Take I-40 to exit 116. Travel south for 1.8 miles to Natchez Trace State Forest Park Visitor Center. Go north to other areas of the park. Lat: 35.8193°N, Long: -88.2527°W
The State Park is open year-round but some roads may be closed to access. Access is free however hunting, fishing, or recreational licensing fees may apply.
Contact Information: Natchez Trace State Forest webpage TWRA Region 1 Office 1-731-423-5725 Toll-Free 1-800-372-3928 e-mail the office TWRA Area Manager Evan Gaskin 1-731-593-0588
Natchez Trace State Park and State Forest is approximately 48,000 acres of primarily pine and deciduous woods however, some areas are overgrown with kudzu, a highly invasive and difficult pest plant. Hiking trails, including overnight trails, are available and pleasant walks for exercise and bird watching. Summer birds that can be seen include Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Phoebe, Great Crested and Acadian Flycatcher, Scarlet and Summer Tanager, Wood Thrush, Pine, Prairie, and Kentucky Warbler. Winter birds that can be seen include Brown Creepers, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and usually Red-breasted Nuthatch can be found. A small number of ducks can be found on the small ponds in winter.
NOTE: Some areas are used for recreational purposes. Please use these links before visiting the location. Natchez Trace State Forest - Natchez Trace State Park - Natchez Trace Parkway
Regulations & Dates
Horses are permitted on roads and trails open to motorized traffic and other trails or routes established for their use. Riding off roads into fields, woods, or on foot trails is prohibited unless otherwise provided.
All motorized vehicles must have mufflers equipped to suppress noise and spark-arrestor equipped to prevent fires. The operation of motorized vehicles is confined to roads not designated as closed.
Off-road vehicles are restricted to roads open to other motorized traffic (except where prohibited by state or federal statute) and designated trails only. ORVs may be operated during daylight hours and at other times when participating in authorized activities. Driving off roads into woods, fields, or utility right-of-ways is prohibited for all motorized vehicles
CWD Carcass Transportation Regulations Apply
Big Game, Small Game, and Trapping are the same as statewide seasons, except as noted below.
Deer - Henderson County portion open to deer August Archery Deer Hunt.
Quail - Nov. 2, 2024 - Jan. 15, 2025
Fall Turkey - Closed.
Spring Turkey - Two (2) weekly hunts (Tues-Wed and Fri-Sun) each week of spring turkey season. All hunts will be quota hunts and will be drawn prior to turkey season. Two (2) hunt zones: North I-40 and South I-40. One (1) male bearded turkey per hunt counts toward the statewide bag limit.
Turkey Young Sportsman - Same as statewide season.
Shooting Range - see Range webpage.
Camping - Natchez Trace State Park managed campgrounds and cabins. Must contact State Park office.