yesterday's tennessee

1996 Brochure

NATCHEZ TRACE STATE RESORT PARK

Photographs and text from Natchez Trace State Resort Park brochure dated January 1996.

Natchez Trace State Park was named for the famous "Natchez to Nashville" highway, an important wilderness road during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. A western spur of The Trace ran through a portion of what is now the park. The park is not connected with the Natchez Trace Parkway, administered by the National Park Service.

In the 20th century the park area contained thousands of acres of some of the most heavily abused and eroded land in Tennessee. In the mid-1930s the U.S. Department of Agriculture acquired this land, relocated its occupants, and set up a "Land-Use Area" project aimed at demonstrating how heavily eroded wasteland could again be made productive through proper conservation practices.

Present day administration of this area is shared by the Tennessee Division of State Parks, Tennessee Division of Forestry, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The area provides not only recreation but managed hunting as well. Here, too, is the third largest pecan tree in North America. Legend has it that the tree grew from a pecan presented to a settler by one of Andrew Jackson's men as they returned from the Battle of New Orleans.

Natchez Trace is located in Carroll, Henderson, and Benton counties in West Tennessee. It lies 40 miles northeast of Jackson and six miles southeast of Lexington on Interstate 40 between Nashville and Memphis. Main entrance to the park is Interstate 40, Exit 116, Natchez Trace Park Exit.

Inn and Restaurant

Picturesque Pin Oak Lodge is situated on the wooded shores of Pin Oak Lake, seven miles from Lexington.

This 20-unit facility provides single and double accommodations, and the restaurant seats up to 120 persons. Support facilities include a recreation room, playground, tennis courts, and adult and kiddie swimming pools. Private meeting and dining rooms are available. Reservations should be made well in advance by writing or calling Pin Oak Lodge.

Cabins

The Natchez Trace cabins 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 accommodate up to four persons each and are completely equipped for housekeeping, food preparation, and serving. They are air conditioned, have fireplaces, and all linens are provided. Cabins are very popular, so advance reservations are a must. Reservations are handled by the Pin Oak Lodge.

Recreation

The Natchez Trace swimming beach is open from early summer through Labor Day. A pool for inn and cabin guests is also available at Pin Oak Lodge.

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 the 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 permitted on all lakes except Cub Lake.

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 can be purchased at the park store.

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. Many miles of fine roads and back country trails are also open to motorcycles and other off-road vehicles.

Recreation equipment and games are available on a free check-out system at Pin Oak Lodge (inn guests only) and at the park recreation center. Recreation activities include softball, archery, basketball, croquet, volleyball, badminton, and field games. Playgrounds and playfields may be found in several locations throughout the park.

Family Camping

The park's three campgrounds feature a total of 143 sites. Each site is equipped with a table, a grill, and water and electrical hook-ups. Bathhouses containing hot showers are conveniently located in all camping areas. Two dump stations are provided for self-contained trailer rigs. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations cannot be accepted, and stay limit is two weeks.

A park store and service station, offering a wide variety of groceries including canned goods, ice, and picnic and camping supplies, are located a short distance from the campgrounds.

Programs and Activities

A park naturalist and recreation director are on duty through the summer months. Both provide a variety of planned programs and activities including guided tours, organized games, arts and crafts, demonstrations, campfires, movies, slide shows, square dances, and hayrides.

Hours of Operation

Summer:  8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Winter:  8:00 a.m. until sundown
Camper quiet time is 10:00 p.m.
Pin Oak Lodge provides 24-hour service

For Further Information Contact:

Park Manager's Office
Natchez Trace State Resort Park
Wildersville, Tennessee 38388
Phone:  (901) 968-3742

For Cabin & Inn Reservations, Call:

Pin Oak Lodge, 1-800-250-8616

Or Contact:

Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation
Division of State Parks
401 Church Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0446
(615) 532-0001 or 1-800-421-6683

[Note: The information above is from a dated park brochure. To get current information, please check the Natchez Trace State Park page on the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Tennessee State Parks web site.]