Rocky Springs Picnic Area on the Natchez Trace Parkway
Once you exit the Natchez Trace Parkway into Rocky Springs, take the second left to get to the picnic area. This is a long road, and two separate picnic spots are located along it, each with its own parking lot. Unfortunately, during my fall 2021 visit, I got the opinion that the Rocky Springs Picnic Area has become an after thought for the National Park Service because it’s sort of run down, and the number of tables is less than half the total I counted back in 2015. The restroom is boarded up and looks like it’s closed for good, but there is a portable toilet out front. If that is too primitive for your taste, you can drive back to the Rocky Springs entrance and use the modern restrooms in the visitor center building.
Dilapidated restroom building at the Rocky Springs Picnic Area
The first section of the Rocky Springs Picnic Area is down to one long table, which is equivalent to two standard tables, and two grills. That’s sort of silly—I suppose total strangers can share the oversized table but still have their own grill.
Lone table at the first section of the Rocky Springs Picnic Area
The rest of the tables are located at the very end of the road, which forms a loop. Four tables and one grill are located in the center of the loop, with one being handicap accessible. Five tables (no grills) are located in the woods on the outside of the loop.
Section of the Rocky Springs Picnic Area at the end of the loop road
Handicap accessible picnic table at the Rocky Springs Picnic Area
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail passes through the picnic area at the end of the road. Known as the Rocky Springs segment, the trail is 6.5 miles long and runs from Owens Creek Waterfall in the south to Fisher Ferry Road farther up the Natchez Trace Parkway to the north. Owens Creek is 2.5 miles away and Fisher Ferry Road is 4 miles. Sadly, the section to Fisher Ferry Road is closed, and from the looks of the trail sign for Owens Creek, things look pretty grim to the south as well.
Rocky Spring segment of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail heading towards Owens Creek
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Last updated on December 10, 2021
