Spanning more than 400 miles through three states, the Natchez Trace Parkway is brimming with spectacular sites of all kinds, including a valley prone to seasonal blooms. Fittingly dubbed Dogwood Valley, it provides one of the parkway’s most striking vistas – and yet, few people know about it.
Located on the Natchez Trace Parkway, Dogwood Valley can be found at milepost 275.5, which is in the small town of Saltillo.
It couldn’t be truer to its name. It’s literally a valley full of dogwood trees.
Once a year, the trees blossom, resulting in an abundance of brilliant white blooms.
Getting a close-up look at the dogwood trees – and their lovely flowers – is easy since a short loop trail winds through the valley.
At just over 1,500 feet in length, the trail can be completed in about 15 minutes; however, you’ll likely want to spend some time soaking in the seasonal blooms.
Of course, the valley is still an interesting visit without the blooms. It is lined with an array of signs that provide info on the dogwood trees, other flora native to the area, and local history.
Plus, it’s near two of the Trace’s most popular stops – the Confederate Gravesites and the Old Trace.
So, when do the trees in Dogwood Valley bloom? Well, that depends. Typically, a warm winter means blooms will pop up sometime in early April. A long, cold winter could prevent their arrival by a few weeks – or longer. And since each year is different, park rangers cannot predict when the trees will reach peak bloom. Follow the Natchez Trace Parkway on Facebook for updates on dogwood trees and other seasonal happenings.
Remember, Dogwood Valley is located at milepost 275.5 on the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Dogwood Valley is darling, but it’s not the only trail with lots of blooms. This Mississippi wildflower trail is another.
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