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A good loop with varying landscapes.


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Map Key

3.9

Miles

6.2

KM

Loop

965' 294 m

High

693' 211 m

Low

399' 121 m

Up

400' 122 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Overview

This route is a fun loop of mostly pretty flat terrain. This is the only portion of the Tennessee Natchez Trace Trail that creates a loop, making it a great route.

Description

The Garrison Loop circles the Natchez Trace Parkway, and marks the northern beginnings of the Highland Rim Trail. The western portion of the loop has a narrow, lightly-used path that twice crosses Garrison Creek. You need to remove your hiking footwear to cross the creek, or you'll be finishing the way with wet feet!

At the northern part of the loop, you pass under the Natchez Trace as you approach the Garrison Creek picnic area. Here there are bathrooms, water fountains, and horse trailer parking. The eastern part of the loop has wider trails and less-dense woods for observing wildlife.

Shared By:

Bradley Minnigan with improvements by Charlotte Blake

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 8 votes

#3686

Overall
  4.0 from 8 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
25%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#63

in Tennessee

#3,686

Overall
10 Views Last Month
3,294 Since Sep 5, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Crossing Garrison creek in the winter when the water is lower.
Dec 22, 2019 near Thompso…, TN
My wife as we passed under the Natchez Trace on the Garrison Creek Loop. This was one of her first hikes.
Aug 27, 2016 near Thompso…, TN
Beginning of the trail.
Dec 22, 2019 near Thompso…, TN

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Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Oct 28, 2022
Laura Nelson
Dec 21, 2019
Charlotte Blake
First time doing this trail in the winter. Tons of leaves made for slick footing. Great trail for dogs. Sat. at 2:30 Pm and never saw another hiker. 3.9mi — 1h 45m
Mar 17, 2019
Jim Reyome
Gorgeous day, lots of trilliums about to bloom, nice lunch, s good time was had by all. 3.4mi — 2h 45m
Dec 27, 2018
Aaron Evens
Sep 10, 2018
Emily Churchill
Aug 19, 2018
Aaron Evens
Dense vegetation after Inital trail split. Two stream crossings. Stay by the edge of the Forrest when you cross under the trace. 4.4mi
Jun 2, 2018
Corie Arnell
Oct 24, 2017
Missy Edwards
Fun fall hike!!!
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