Accessible parking is available at the George Washington Carver Museum and The Oaks. For George Washington Carver Museum, after receiving your visitor pass, enter Tuskegee University through Lincoln Gates on Booker T. Washington Boulevard. Pass Margaret Murray Washington Hall and the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, then turn right to the parking garage. Accessible parking for The Oaks is at 1200 West Montgomery Road. For assistance, call Sheryl Buchanan at (334) 421-3246
The 1954 wing of the A.G. Gaston Motel is closed for renovation. Visit the Temporary Visitor Center in the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute at 520 16th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203 open Wednesday–Friday 10 am to 4 pm. The construction is expected to take 18 months. When completed the site will increase accessibility with a new elevator, new exhibits to tell the story of the building and Project C, and revitalize this historic landmark. Follow the link for more information.
Our temporary location for the Selma Interpretive Center is closed until further notice. The Lowndes and Montgomery Interpretive Centers are open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. For additional information, call us at (334)877-1983 or click "more>" below.
The Selma Interpretive Center will remain closed to the public due to major renovations; project completion is expected in 2028. There are two other unaffected visitor centers offering services: Montgomery Interpretive Center (1521 Harris Way, Montgomery, AL 36106) Lowndes Interpretive Center (7002 US-80, Hayneville, AL 36040)
All visitors to Tuskegee University, including those visiting the George Washington Carver Museum located on campus, are required to obtain a visitor pass before entering. This policy is part of the university's safety and security procedures. Visitor passes are issued by Tuskegee University Public Safety. Stop by the Campus Public Safety building upon arrival to receive your pass at 1103 West Montgomery Road, Tuskegee, AL 36088.
The Rocky Springs section is closed from the Rocky Springs campground at milepost 55 to the northern terminus at milepost 59 until further notice. Visitors should observe posted closures. The trail is unsafe due to trail erosion and deteriorated bridges.
Be careful and safe while out in the canyon! Be cautious of your surroundings, don't cliff jump, don't stray off of the main trails, and don't get too close to Little River Falls or the canyon rim. These activities could result in injury or death.
The Yockanookany section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is closed to equestrian use effective immediately, due to safety concerns with trail bridges and boardwalks. The trail will remain open to pedestrians.
The National Park Service has selected Robert Stewart as the new superintendent of Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site and Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. Stewart began his new role on Sept. 20.
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument is opening a temporary visitor center at the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. The Temporary Visitor center will be open until renovations of the A.G. Gaston Motel are completed.
The National Park Service will reopen a 15-mile section of the Natchez Trace Parkway on August 3 and begin the next phase of a major road rehabilitation project, requiring a detour around a 24-mile section between state Highway 16 (milepost 135) and state Highway 19 (milepost 159.5).
DAVISTON, Ala. — Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is pleased to announce the academic symposium, “Memory and Meaning and the Creek War,” at Auburn University on Aug. 22. Offered in collaboration with Auburn University and the Friends of Horseshoe Bend, the program brings together leading scholars to discuss the Creek War and how generations have since commemorated it.
As a part of the Speeding Catches Up With You campaign, Natchez Trace Parkway Rangers and Mississippi Highway Patrol Troopers will be present along the Natchez Trace to protect the public from aggressive speeding violations.
On the 250th anniversary of the United States, Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site will host an event on July 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate American independence and the anniversary of the founding of Tuskegee University.
Beginning June 22, the Natchez Trace Parkway will detour motorists around a 15-mile section of parkway between state Route 12 (milepost 165) and state Route 413 (milepost 180) in Attala and Choctaw counties as construction begins on a major road rehabilitation project.
DAVISTON, Ala. — Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is excited to offer the opportunity for anyone with a strong interest in history to join the Horseshoe Bend Living History Program. This fun and engaging program provides hands-on training and certifies volunteers to conduct historic weapons demonstrations using reproduction black powder flintlock muskets and cannon. The park is looking for up to 10 volunteers, ages 18 and older, who are interested in gaining experience with public speaking, interpretive programming and participating in special events.
On April 15, Natchez Trace Parkway will close Double Arch Bridge near Nashville and begin construction to install a permanent pedestrian safety barrier. The bridge will be closed to motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists until spring 2027.
On April 3, the National Park Service will release a report and administrative record file about the former Ridgeland Firing Range on Natchez Trace Parkway for public review and comment.
On April 3, the National Park Service will release a report and administrative record file about the former Port Gibson Firing Range on Natchez Trace Parkway for public review and comment.
TUSKEGEE, Ala. — On April 23, Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site will host a STEM Day in recognition of the generous gift from Gary Webb of Piqua, Ohio. Webb is donating a remote-controlled P-51 Mustang model aircraft to the site.
DAVISTON, Ala. — On Saturday, March 28, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park invites the public to commemorate the 212th Anniversary of the Battle of the Horseshoe. This free, family-friendly event highlights the significance of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in U.S. history. Leaders from the Muscogee Creek Nation will share stories from their ancestral lands to highlight cultural effects of the battle. The event will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the park visitor center.
The National Park Service will close Natchez Trace Parkway between TN Highway 46 (milepost 429) and the northern terminus (milepost 442) south of Nashville, Tennessee at approximately 8 PM Central Standard Time today, Jan. 23. Additional closures along the parkway may occur during the storm.
The National Park Service finalized the master plan and environmental assessment selecting the preferred alternative for the Bus Burning Site at Freedom Riders National Monument. The environmental assessment presented a finding of no significant impact.
Construction-related closure of the Natchez Trace Parkway between Mississippi Highway 413 (milepost 181) and U.S. Highway 82 (milepost 204) in Choctaw and Webster counties will remain in effect longer than originally anticipated.
Join a Park Ranger as they dive into details on a significant moment from voting rights history. Talks will be presented weekly at both our Lowndes and Montgomery Interpretive Centers, Tues-Thur at 10am and 2pm.
Come enjoy the outdoors with a morning run! Lace up your running shoes and join a park ranger for the Little River Running Club! Whether you're looking for a weekly running group or simply want to enjoy the outdoors with others, all ages and skillsets are welcome! Check the NPS or Facebook page beforehand for where we are meeting each week. Often our route will follow the scenic Canyon Rim Parkway. We run on side of the road and will most likely never pass a car this early. Participants are welcome to leave whenever they wish; just let the ranger know before heading out. Please bring: Water Running shoes Comfortable running clothes Come enjoy the beauty of Little River Canyon’s scenery while getting in a morning run with fellow outdoor enthusiasts! Free! Registration appreciated through daniel_bowles@nps.gov
Settle in under the stars and enjoy a laid‑back Mississippi evening on the Natchez Trace with our outdoor movie series. Pick out your favorite spot on the grass and take in a movie framed by Southern pines. Perfect for anyone who loves summer nights outside with family & friends. Bring a flashlight to help find your way, blanket or lawn chair for maximum coziness, and snacks if you want ‘em. And remember: practice Leave No Trace Principles and pick up after yourselves.
Meet at the Canyon Center Come enjoy the outdoors with a morning run! Lace up your running shoes and join a park ranger for the Little River Running Club! Whether you're looking for a weekly running group or simply want to enjoy the outdoors with others, all ages and skillsets are welcome! Check the NPS or Facebook page beforehand for where we are meeting each week. Often our route will follow the scenic Canyon Rim Parkway. We run on side of the road and will most likely never pass a car this early. Participants are welcome to leave whenever they wish; just let the ranger know before heading out. Please bring: Water Running shoes Comfortable running clothes Come enjoy the beauty of Little River Canyon’s scenery while getting in a morning run with fellow outdoor enthusiasts! Free! Registration appreciated through daniel_bowles@nps.gov
Feeling like you practically need to be a computer programmer just to get through everyday tasks? If you’re craving a break from screens and passwords, come reconnect with real, hands‑on skills with the Tombigbee Pioneers living history group, who join us at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center (milepost 266) on the fourth Saturday of the month throughout the summer and fall! Try traditional activities like basket weaving, spinning wool, making old‑fashioned dolls, woodworking, early American musical instruments, doily tatting, and more. It’s a chance to slow down, create something tangible, and enjoy the kinds of skills people once used every day—no tech support required.
Come enjoy the outdoors with a morning run! Lace up your running shoes and join a park ranger for the Little River Running Club! Whether you're looking for a weekly running group or simply want to enjoy the outdoors with others, all ages and skillsets are welcome! Check the NPS or Facebook page beforehand for where we are meeting each week. Often our route will follow the scenic Canyon Rim Parkway. We run on side of the road and will most likely never pass a car this early. Participants are welcome to leave whenever they wish; just let the ranger know before heading out. Please bring: Water Running shoes Comfortable running clothes Come enjoy the beauty of Little River Canyon’s scenery while getting in a morning run with fellow outdoor enthusiasts! Free! Registration appreciated through daniel_bowles@nps.gov
Meeting at Chalet Trail, Fort Payne AL, in Desoto State Park to trail run the Gilliam Loop. Come enjoy the outdoors with a morning run! Lace up your running shoes and join a park ranger for the Little River Running Club! Whether you're looking for a weekly running group or simply want to enjoy the outdoors with others, all ages and skillsets are welcome! Check the NPS or Facebook page beforehand for where we are meeting each week. Please bring: Water Running shoes Comfortable running clothes Come enjoy the beauty of Little River Canyon’s scenery while getting in a morning run with fellow outdoor enthusiasts! Free! Registration appreciated through daniel_bowles@nps.gov
Experience the sweet sounds of tradition! Join us this Saturday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Parkway Visitor Center near milepost 266 for an inspiring musical event featuring the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association! Step into the world of the Appalachian mountain dulcimer, the first instrument developed in the United States, and discover why its name translates to “Sweet sound”. You’ll enjoy a live performance while learning about the dulcimer’s history and traditions that have kept this unique instrument beloved since the early 1800s. Whether you’re a music lover, history buff, or simply looking for a peaceful and uplifting way to spend a Saturday morning, this public program is the perfect opportunity. Come listen, learn, and let the gentle tones of the dulcimer brighten your day!
Experience the sweet sounds of the holiday season with the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association! Join us this Saturday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM for a festive musical event at the Parkway Visitor Center near milepost 266! Step into the world of the Appalachian mountain dulcimer, the first instrument developed in the United States, and discover why its name translates to “sweet sound”. Enjoy a live performance of holiday music while learning about the dulcimer’s rich history and traditions that have kept this unique instrument beloved since the early 1800s. Whether you’re a music lover, history buff, or simply looking for a peaceful and uplifting way to spend a Saturday morning, this public program is the perfect opportunity. Come listen, learn, and welcome the holiday season with the gentle tones of the dulcimer. All are welcome!
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dramatic scenes of violent police aggression against civil rights protesters in Birmingham, Alabama were vivid examples of segregation and racial injustice in America.
On March 27, 1814, Major General Andrew Jackson ‘s army of 3,300 men attacked Chief Menawa’s 1,000 Red Stick Creek warriors fortified in a horseshoe shaped bend of the Tallapoosa River. Over 800 Red Sticks died that day. This battle ended the Creek War, resulted in a land cession of 23,000,000 acres to the United States and created a national hero of Andrew Jackson.
Little River is unique because it flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. Forested uplands, waterfalls, canyon rims and bluffs, pools, boulders, and sandstone cliffs offer settings for a variety of recreational activities. Natural resources and cultural heritage come together to tell the story of the Preserve, a special place in the Southern Appalachians.
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive through three states. It roughly follows the "Old Natchez Trace," a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, "Kaintucks," European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents. Today, people can enjoy a scenic drive as well as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the Parkway.
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles and offer opportunities to explore wetlands, swamps, hardwood forest, and the history of the area.
Russell Cave National Monument is an archeological site with one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast. In the 1950s, archeologists uncovered a large quantity of artifacts representing 12,000 years of use in a single place. Although you cannot go in the cave, the discovered artifacts help bring to light many cultural developments of phenomenal human journeys.
Established by Congress in 1996, the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail commemorates the people, events, and route of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama. Led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Black and White non-violent supporters fought for the right to vote in Central Alabama. Today, you can connect with this history and trace the events of these marches along the 54-mile trail.
Remember and commemorate the survival of the Cherokee people, forcefully removed from their homelands in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to live in Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. They traveled by foot, horse, wagon, or steamboat in 1838-1839.
Before the first African American military pilots became known as the "Red Tails" they wore striped tails as they began their flight training in the Army's PT-17 Stearman bi-plane. Their flying adventure started at Moton Field, in Tuskegee, Alabama, where the Army Air Corps conducted a military test to determine if African Americans could be trained to fly combat aircraft.
In 1881, Booker T. Washington arrived in Alabama and started building Tuskegee Institute both in reputation and literally brick by brick. He recruited the best and the brightest to come and teach here including George Washington Carver who arrived in 1896. Carver’s innovations in agriculture, especially with peanuts, expanded Tuskegee’s standing throughout the country. The story continues….
