News Release

Natchez Trace Parkway is Increasing Access to Parkway Comfort Stations

Date: October 16, 2020
Contact: Mandi Toy - Acting Chief of Interpretation and Partnerships, 662-680-4017

TUPELO, MS – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Natchez Trace Parkway is increasing access to the Parkway Comfort Stations. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the  COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. 

Beginning October 19, 2020, Natchez Trace Parkway will reopen access to the following Comfort Stations:   

• Rocky Springs, MS. Milepost 55 
• Ridgeland Information Cabin, Jackson, MS.  Milepost 102 
• Pharr Mounds, Marietta, MS.  Milepost 287 
• Glenrock Branch, Waynesboro, TN.  Milepost 365 
• Garrison Creek, Leipers Fork, TN.  Milepost 425 

All other outdoor spaces, including all roadways, trails, pullouts, and roadside exhibits along the Parkway remain accessible to the public. Visitors have access to maps and brochures at the Visitors Center located in Tupelo MS, at the Mount Locust Information Center, and online interaction through Facebook posts and emails.  

With public health in mind, the following facility remains closed: 

• Meriwether Lewis Campground, located at Hohenwald TN
    

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Natchez Trace Parkway, our operational approach continues to be centered on examining each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public areas and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.  

A safe and enjoyable park experience begins at home. The NPS encourages visitors to plan their visit by checking the park’s website and social media for current conditions and travel tips. The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We ask the public to be our partner in recreating responsibly, by following CDC and state and local guidance, social distancing, and wearing a face covering when social distance cannot be maintained.  

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website https://www.nps.gov/natr and Facebook @NatchezTraceParkwayNPS. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on http://www.nps.gov/coronavirus.  

www.nps.gov

 

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 421 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.