JACKSON — The Natchez Trace Parkway was ranked No. 7 of the most visited places of the National Park System for 2012.

The Trace had 5.56 million visitors. The other Mississippi site on the list was the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which includes Horn, Petit Bois and Ship Islands; it was ranked No. 9 with 4.97 million visitors.

“With over 282 million visitors each year, the National Park Service provides important recreational and educational resources for visitors across the nation,” said Malcolm White, director of Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division.

Next month, the Natchez Trace Parkway will celebrate its 75th anniversary on May 18 at the headquarters in Tupelo.