Witch Dance information panel (click to enlarge)
The Witch Dance stop on the Natchez Trace Parkway has a restroom, large picnic area, and a campground for bicyclists. This is also the southern trailhead for the 15-mile long Witch Dance Horse Trail. This is open to hikers as well, but it is supposedly very muddy and best suited for horseback riding. A large parking lot accommodates trucks and horse trailers. While the trail starts on the Natchez Trace and National Park Service property, the large majority of it is within the Tombigbee National Forest and is therefore not reviewed here on National Park Planner.
A sign at the start of the horse trail indicates that camping is available for trail riders, but this is no longer true. Why this sign is still up (in October 2021) is beyond me. The sign seems to point to a bridge, but that just leads to one end of the bicyclist campground. Perhaps it means you can camp farther down the trail? According to information on the U. S. Forest Service’s website, camping is not allowed along the trail.
Sign states hikers and horseback riders only
RESTROOM
The modern restroom facility is open to everyone, and you do not have to exit the Natchez Trace Parkway and travel down the side road to Witch Dance to access it. A roadside parking area is located along the Parkway right next to the restroom.
Restroom is accessible from the Witch Dance parking lot and directly from the Natchez Trace Parkway
BICYCLIST CAMPGROUND
For those biking the Natchez Trace Parkway, a bicyclist-only campground is located on the opposite side of the parking area from the restroom building—look for the picnic tables. There are three separate campsites, each with its own picnic table and grill. Water is available at the camping area from April through October. You can also get water year-round at the restroom.
Witch Dance Bicyclist Campground on the Natchez Trace Parkway
One of three bicyclist campsites at Witch Dance on the Natchez Trace Parkway
PICNIC AREA
At the end of the road into Witch Dance is a large picnic area with eight tables divided up into four groupings, each with its own grill. The road ends in a loop, and three of the groupings are located at the far end of the loop. One group is off on its own and has two tables and a grill, while the other two sections are right next to each other. These are comprised of a grouping of two tables and a grill and a grouping of three tables and a grill, including one on a paved path for disabled visitors. A fourth group, which has only one table and one grill, is located at the start of the loop. All tables are taken on a first come, first served basis. If these are filled up and nobody is at the bicyclist campground, feel free to use those tables.
Picnic table and grill at the start of the picnic area at Witch Dance
Picnic tables off on their own at the far end of the loop road at Witch Dance
Grouping of picnic tables at Witch Dance with one for disabled visitors
Group of picnic tables next to the handicap accessible group at Witch Dance
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Last updated on December 3, 2021
