Access and Amenities
- Auto parking and bus/RV parking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Historical and interpretive exhibits
- Scenic view and photo spot toward the river and bridge
Overview
About Trail of Tears Water Route Overlook
Why stop
- Tennessee River and bridge view tied directly to Trail of Tears history
Heads up
- Compact, text-focused stop rather than a large attraction
Map
Where it is
Loading the Natchez Trace map
Full mapPlan your stop
Before you go
Access and Amenities
4 active Natchez Trace alerts
- ClosureParkway sections closed for bridge and road constructionTwo Natchez Trace Parkway sections are closed to through traffic; follow the signed detours.Official details
- ClosureMount Locust historic stand closedThe historic stand at Mount Locust Inn & Plantation (MP 15.5) is closed because of structural concerns.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Natchez Trace Tour Guide
Your drive to Trail of Tears Water Route Overlook, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Natchez Trace Parkway. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this place
Trail of Tears Water Route Overlook0:00 / 0:24
“You're approaching the Trail of Tears Water Route Overlook above the Tennessee River. In 1838, three groups of Cherokee people, about 2,800 in all, were forced past this spot by water toward Indian Territory.”
Plays as you drive up to Trail of Tears Water Route Overlook in the Parkwolf Natchez Trace Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Colbert Ferry on the Tennessee River
- Rock Spring
- The Train Inside the Water Route
- A Nursery Under the Rock
- 272 audio storiesacross Natchez Trace’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor American Alligator, White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey, and 9 more
- Works offlinemaps, 26 trails, 62 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
More about Trail of Tears Water Route Overlook
What You Are Looking AtThis overlook sits at Milepost 328.
This overlook sits at Milepost 328.7 on the Natchez Trace Parkway, on the north side of the Tennessee River near Waterloo, Alabama (latitude 34.840305, longitude -87.924889). A wayside panel stands at the edge of the parking area, with the Tennessee River beyond it and the John Coffee Bridge visible to the right. A grassy area with a wood rail fence frames the view.
The History Marked HereThree Cherokee detachments totaling about 2,800 people traveled by river past this location on…
Three Cherokee detachments totaling about 2,800 people traveled by river past this location on their forced removal to Indian Territory. Edward Deas left Ross Landing near Chattanooga on June 6, 1838, by steamboat and barge, following the Tennessee, Ohio, Mississippi, and Arkansas Rivers and arriving near Fort Coffee on June 19, 1838. Robert H.K. Whiteley led the second detachment and John Drew led the final detachment.
How To Use The StopRead the wayside panel first, then look out at the river and connect the written account of the…
- Read the wayside panel first, then look out at the river and connect the written account of the water route with the channel in front of you.
- Audio description is available for the interpretive content.
- Picnic tables sit in tree shade behind the parking area if you want to stop longer.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Natchez Trace
39 sightingsAmerican AlligatorMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
35 sightingsWhite-tailed DeerMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
53 sightingsWild TurkeyMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
28 sightingsGreat Blue HeronMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
29 sightingsRed-headed WoodpeckerMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
32 sightingsTurkey VultureMost seen around noonSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Natchez Trace. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
