Picnic table and grill along Garrison Creek on the Natchez Trace Parkway

A small picnic area and a restroom facility are located at the Garrison Creek stop on the Natchez Trace Parkway. There are two tables (no grills) underneath a pavilion attached to the restroom building that you come to when you first turn off the Parkway. At the far end of the parking lot are three picnic tables with grills situated alongside Garrison Creek.

Restroom and picnic pavilion at the Garrison Creek Picnic Area

Garrison Creek also serves as the northern trailhead for the Highland Rim segment of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. Look for the trailhead behind the restroom building. The Highland Rim segment runs south to a parking area off of Highway 50 near the Gordon House and includes a two-mile section of the original Natchez Trace.

Northern trailhead for the Highland Rim section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

There is also a trailhead by the creekside picnic area. This is a modern trail that cuts to the other side of the Natchez Trace Parkway before heading south, connecting back to the Highland Rim segment near the War of 1812 Memorial and Old Trace stop (MP 426.3). If you only want to hike down to the War of 1812 Memorial and back, you can form a loop hike between the Old Trace segment and this newer trail. Both are considered part of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail.

Trailhead for the newer segment of the Highland Rim section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

Horses are allowed on the Highland Rim segment, and there is parking for a dozen horse trailers near the creekside picnic tables. Hitching posts and water for horses are located behind the restroom at the start of the trail.

For more information on the Highland Rim segement, see the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail web page here on National Park Planner.

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