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Posted by: KajunATVer
I have camped/ridden at Camp Claiborne several times and have always had a good time there. All of the trail systems in the Kisatchie National Forest are excellent with good trails and even better scenery. By far the best trail system in Kisatchie is the Sandstone Trail at Red Dirt. However, please keep in mind that the trail systems in the Kisatchie National Forest close after a significant amount of rain and they're all closed now. For more information on the Kisatchie National Forest check out this link: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/kisatchie/
Posted by: KajunATVer
I'm up for Claiborne. Let me know when y'all go. Carp, Claiborne is in Forest Hill just south of Alexandria.
Posted by: RebelDS
Sandstone is my favorite place to ride in Louisiana. I think it is a 31 mile loop with one trail that cuts across it. It is only open from May 1 through December 31. But they also close it when it rains too much. This past fall it remained closed due to some storm damage. Camp Claiborne is also a great place to ride and is open from March 1 through the fall.....not sure when it closes. It used to be three loop trails, the Boy Scout Loop (31 miles), the Woolworth Loop (24 miles), and the North Loop (17 miles). But the Boy Scout Loop is now closed to ATVs and only open to horses or motorcycles. When I went last spring, I was able to ride the two loops now open to ATVs, but the camping area at the trailhead was closed. The parking area at the trailhead was full of campers and we had to go park somewhere else and sleep in our trucks. It looked like the camping area was under construction and it may be open again this year. But when it's open, the camping area is very big with plenty of room to camp.
Camp Livingston is another trail system in Louisiana that I have never ridden on, but would love to try. But by far my favorite over there is Sandstone, which is closed right now.
In Mississippi, the best place I've found is Trace State Park. If you like big tall hills and beautiful scenery, it's the place to go but no camping at the trail head. It's a regular state park with plenty of camping (primitive or with full hookups) but you have to carry your ATVs to the trailhead.....if you are one of those who use a toy hauler, it makes it a little inconvenient. But it is open year around and I've never seen it closed due to rain. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've ever ridden it when it was dry. I want to one day because some of those hills are real hard to climb when it is slick. I don't care for Red Creek Offroad because it is all mud with a little enduro track. I have fun on that track, but I mainly like to ride trails and they don't have very much trails. I know I'm in the minority when it comes to mud. But if you like mud, you'll love Red Creek. Just be careful because big trucks use the same trails and some of those holes will swallow an ATV. You'll find yourself in some of those holes with your ATV completely submerged. I haven't ridden Bethel since it opened back up but I did ride it a few years ago and it was boring. Same as Little Tiger is now. You can ride all of Little Tiger in less than an hour and it's very easy trails. Rattlesnake Bay was great when it was open, but I have no idea when it will be open again. It has been under repair for a few years now and I thought they were close to opening it, but Hurricane Katrina caused other priorities to be worked on by the Forest Service.
Those are the best places I know of to ride in Mississippi or Louisiana. But the ultimate trip is Coal Creek in Tennessee or Harlan County in Kentucky. Those are some of the best places to ride in America and everyone owes it to themselves to take a few days off to make a trip there to ride. But one day when I retire and have a few weeks to spend, I'll make that trip to Utah and spend a few weeks riding the Pauite trails where you can ride for over 1,000 miles and at elevations of up to 10,000 feet. Some of the most beautiful scenery you'll ever see.
This link below is for the trail status of those trails systems in Louisiana. It still lists Sandstone as closed for storm damage even though it is always closed this time of year.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/kisatchie/ohv/index.html
Posted by: RebelDS
Carp, the only place for sure I know to ride in North Mississippi is Trace State Park. It's got a little bit of everything. There is lots of mud for those who like that. And trails through some beautiful woods. And some real steep hills in some places. I always go around the mud but there are plenty of play areas where some stay in the mud. I saw two guys just riding around in water the whole day. The lake backs up into the woods and they were just going back and forth through the water with their snorkels. If you are curious about Trace, there are some pictures below of some of our rides there in this link:
http://www.southmississippiatva.com/trace.htm
This next link is to the MDWFP's website page about Trace. It has a link to the form you have to fill out there ($5.00 charge for riding) with links to the trail map, rules, and other odds and ends.
http://www.mdwfp.com/parkView/Parks.asp?ID=1818
This next link is to a couple of reviews of Trace:
http://www.southmississippiatva.com/tracereviews.htm
The only other place in North Mississippi that I know of is Potts Camp. I've heard that there were miles and miles of trails there and mud if you want it. BUT, I really have no idea if it's actually a public trail system or if the US Forestry Service just doesn't say anything about folks riding there. Many have been and love it, but I've never been. It may be a place in the national forest where people ride, but the forestry service doesn't mind. But I'm not sure if it's an advertised public trail system. But if it is an open trail system, I have no idea when it's open or closed. Maybe some others will know more about it. I do have directions to where people unload and ride.
Potts Camp is on Hwy 78 about 10 miles southeast of Holly Springs. Go to the Potts Camp exit. Once you're in Potts Camp, go south into town until you reach a 3-way stop, turn right. Go 3/4 mile (over two bridges) and turn right on Bethany Road (the first road after you cross the bridges). Bethany Road is a real curvy black top road. Go 5 miles and take a left on 661G. Look for the little brown sign with the road numbers on it. Go to the end of 661G, park unload and ride!! Note: You'll pass 661A before you get to 661G
I copied and pasted those directions so don't blame me if you get lost! BR>
Also, they mentioned a camping area that is real close to the trailhead. If you were to look at a map, there is a Lake Chewalla that is right there at the trailhead and the camping area is on the other side of it.
Posted by: RebelDS
DD783, I think those big round things were part of the water treatment plant. I also think those were off of the Boy Scout Loop, which is no longer open to ATVs. That loop is now just open to horses or motorcycles. The loops now open to ATVs is Woodworth Loop and the North Loop. I took a picture of the layout of the old army base Camp Claiborne and you can see those two circles on the map. If you click the link below and look at the bottom left of the plans, you'll see those two circles in an area that has a little red block drawn around it (may have to use your browser to zoom in on it). The trailhead now is roughly (but not exactly) in the vicinity of the K K you see written in the upper part of the map.
http://www.southmississippiatva.com/images/Camp%20Claiborne/Camp%20Claiborne%20Ruins/103_0397.JPG
The Boy Scout Loop had lots of places where you could see old ruins of the army base. I think they said in the 40's, Camp Claiborne was huge and had a bigger population than New Orleans. But it was closed in the 50's and is now mostly pine trees.
Posted by: Jeric
Camp Livingston is a nice place to ride. I have rode there for years. There are alot of trails both marked and unmarked. You can also use some of the small access paved roads as short cuts if you need to get back to the truck. JUST DON'T RIDE ON THE MAIN ROAD OR CHICO (PARK RANGER) WILL WRITE YOU A NICE TICKET. You can either park at the trailhead or do like most of us and park along the main road. Never been told anything for parking or camping there.
Posted by: Jeric
Sand stone trail is near Gorum, La. Its in the Red dirt wildlife management area.
Posted by: neverrideahonda
Anyone from the gulf coast area have any good places to ride or rides coming up? We travel a good bit to ride. You can always check our upcoming rides section for info. On the undergroundatv.com site.
Posted by: neverrideahonda
I heard the one North of Biloxi sucks. The one near Laurel is pretty good. Or it ws before the storm. Haven't been since. They just opened it up.
Posted by: mudfriendly
You guys should really try riding Camp Claibourne around the Forest Hill/Alexandria, LA area, if you haven't already. We ride there from time to time and always enjoy it.
Posted by: mudfriendly
DD783, I don't know what kind of bike you ride or if you like mud, but if so, you should try riding the Marengo swamp in Hebert, LA. It's just south of Monroe, LA about 30 min. or so. I love it and it's an awesome place to ride. Although I wouldn't advise trying to ride there without a four wheel drive ATV.
Posted by: mudfriendly
Yes, it's open certain times of the year. There's a game reserve in that area and I'm not sure of the schedule, but hunting season throws a wrench in riding at times. I have a good friend who lives only a couple miles away from it. I'll check with him and get back to you. Maybe I could meet you over there one day and we could go riding with him and a couple other friends of mine. He and his brother-in-law both have '07 foreman 500 4x4's with 27" vampires. They ride there all the time.
Posted by: mudfriendly
I've rode Livingston, also, and it is a nice place to ride. Always enjoy it. Rebel, where the heck is Sandstone? Never heard of it. DD783, did you pick up your new wheels Saturday?
Posted by: mudfriendly
I'm up for the ride at Claiborne, DD783. Just let me know when you get it planned.
Also, if you decide to put tires on your new bike, you should really go with the good ol' vampires. Those guys I told you about both have 27"x10"x12" on the front and 27"x12"x12" on the rear of their foremans and they are unstoppable. They go through stuff on their bikes that I get stuck in with my swamplites and I have alot more ground clearance.
Posted by: mudfriendly
May would be nice for me, but as long as it's on a weekend, the month really doesn't matter. Anyway, the more people, the more fun. It would be nice if we could get alot of folks together. No fuss, no fights, just good people having a good time.
Posted by: mudfriendly
DD, there was a huge ride in Texas over the weekend. I coudn't make it, but I had several friends that went. They said it was awesome. I think it was in Jefferson, TX. I guess I should've posted it on here, but I wasn't going, so it didn't cross my mind. Sorry.
Posted by: mudfriendly
I'm still up for Claiborne, but we gotta get a date set. I hope it's one when I'm not working and a couple of my buddies are in from offshore. When the date's decided, I'll start trying to get a few more people together.
Posted by: DD783
Camped at Camp Claiborne in Forest Hill, La but have never ridden there, though looks like a great place. Anyone else ride there?
Posted by: DD783
Thanks for the informative link. Lots of places to ride are closed right now with the state having so much rain in the last couple of months. Hopefully in spring they'll dry out a bit. I'll have to map out the access points to these places. Will get back to you when i'm ready to take a ride there, open to suggestions. Thanks again
Posted by: DD783
I heard about that place but have never been. I have always enjoyed mud and trails the most. I'm buying my '07 Foreman 4X4 next month. I saw some pics from the organized ride at that place but not sure I want to go as a big (HUGE) group like that. Is it open to ride on other days without the huge group event??
Posted by: DD783
Sounds great, i'm picking my bike up in about 3 weeks, buying the trailer next week. Hunting season is about done so that shouldn't be an obstacle
Posted by: DD783
I sure did pick up the new ride on Saturday. Took it to Mandeville and put about 5-6 hours on it over the weekend. Love it! I left it there for this week but it will mainly be kept here in Baton Rouge. Got to plan a ride around here!
Posted by: DD783
Carp, those tire/wheel combos sound awesome, congrats. I've been in contact with a few guys around BR that ride the river banks, etc. They ride along the amite or Comite along the shores from what I understand. I have a lot of places to ride in my hometown of Mandeville so my bike is there right now but will be spending most of it's time in BR as well.
Also, I'm looking for people who'd like to make a day trip from BR to the Claiborne trails just south of Alexandria in Forresthill, La. I've camped there a few times but never ridden there. I know where to go and how to get there, just looking for some more people to go!
Posted by: DD783
We oughta be able to get a ride together this spring up there. My bike is currently in mandeville because where I live right now in BR isn't the best setup for storing it but I should have it here a good bit in the next month or so. Too late on the tire deal, I had my dealer mount the mudlites before I took it off the lot and i'm selling my factory take-off's. So far, the bike is awesome! Anyone else for Claiborne??
Posted by: DD783
Ok well there is some interest out there. Kajun's right, Claiborne is just south of Alexandria near Foresthill. Not a bad drive from my area, straight up...49 is it?? from lafayette. I've never been to the designated atv area but would love to ride the other areas I've camped/hiked just not sure if we could get away with that. In my experiences, I never saw anyone back there to tell me otherwise and there were atv tracks all over the place. The area i'm talking about is pretty remote, back where those giant concrete circular structures are...what the heck are those things???
Posted by: DD783
It takes about an hour and a half or so to get there from baton rouge. These circular things I was referring to are huge. There are two identical shapes with smaller ones nearby. The two that are identical are roughly 50 yards in diameter. Remember this is an old abandoned military area. The first few times I went there we found all sorts of old trenches and concrete walls, etc. built. No clue as to what it is. Believe me, those who have seen it know it's something strange. This past year when I visited the place was made much safer and many holes were filled in. A buddy of mine (roughly 6ft 5") fell into one of the holes and I could barely reach the tip of his hand to pull him out. It was a very dangerous area. I sure wish I could find someone who knows what it used to be. Maybe we could start kicking around some dates for people to consider meeting up there or convoying from BR or Lafayette, etc.
Posted by: DD783
I'm lookin at late march or earl-mid april at soonest. Maybe in may too?
Posted by: DD783
Rebel, thanks a million for posting that link. The picture shows a ton about the area that I had no clue about. I think you are right about that area being closed to ATV's now but the upper area "KK" area is now the trailhead/camp spot open to ATV's. I would bet those two circles are indeed water treatment systems. The area immediately around there was up until recently very dangerous to walk around in. All sorts of pits, miscellaneous concrete, etc. We'll be looking to get a ride together up there, hope many can come. Thanks again!
Posted by: DD783
Was there an organized ride yesterday anywhere in this area?? I must have seen at least 30 truck/trailer combo's full of muddy utility bikes heading back East on I-12 yesterday around 5-6pm. The rain made my trails a bit more fun!
Posted by: DD783
Well that explains it!! I saw some huge bikes on trailers, so figured they weren't your average joe atv rider. People still up for a Claiborne trip?
Posted by: SwampboyCruiser
Tring to make it to the Desota national forest this weekend. Rain may kill that plan. Have you ridden the Bethal trail system? Need to know if it's worth the trip.
Posted by: SwampboyCruiser
Do you have RV hookup's or is it primative camping?
Posted by: TattoedVoodoo
i live in hernando county florida,we have a 2600 acre management area for atv's and dirtbikes.look it up Croom Management
Posted by: Canesfan16
If you're talking about Crooms campsites, I think every site has electric and water.
Posted by: TommyA300
I seen this but it is in Texas...
http://www.highlifter.com/mud_nationals/mud_nationals07.aspx
Posted by: VINNYSJUS4FUN
We ride at Red Creek Off Road Park in Perkinston Mississipi. There is lots of mud there and they also have a moto cross track. They offer primitive camping and rv hook ups. They also have really nice cabins that you can rent for large or small groups. We go there every chance we get.
Posted by: VINNYSJUS4FUN
Rebel when you ride in North Mississippi again please let us know over on www.undergroundatv.com. Some of us would love to ride there. We are looking for new and legal places to ride all of the time. You gave some really good information.
Posted by: VINNYSJUS4FUN
Do i know you Scooter. We love Jones but is it still legal?
Posted by: VINNYSJUS4FUN
The hilifter mud nats where this weekend. We rode over at Red Creek OFF road in Mississippi. It was dusty but we had fun.
Posted by: SCOOTER07
PENSACOLA FL.. WE RIDE AT JONE'S SWAMP LOT OF MUD AND WATER
Posted by: SCOOTER07
YES JONES IS STILL LEGAL ONLY IF YOU PARK NEXT TO ARBY'S
Posted by: Carp4483
Has Anyone ever rode at Red Creek i believe is the name of it. Dont know exactly where it is though?
Posted by: Carp4483
where Around baton rouge would you ride? Any way let me know when you do i would like to try and come if you get one up around baton rouge.
Posted by: Carp4483
Any one know any good places in north MS to ride? I live 45 mins from TN and about 5 mins from the MS RIVER.
Posted by: Carp4483
hey dd783 thanks for the comments on the tires. Now i am looking at snorkle kits and lift kits. Well i work offshore so i am 14 days on and 14 days off. I wouldnt mind making some riding trips. Even though i live in north MS i have a lot of guys from work that are in that area that probably wouldnt mind going on some rides either. We are supposed to be getting one together sometime soon to go to red creek. Not sure when though. I live the fartherest away and i am trying to get it together so go figure. I have heard good things and bad things about red creek so i dont know. I guess we thought about going there because i dont know if any of them no where else to go. But that is cool just let me know when you narrow down a date and i will let you know if i am at work then or not.
Posted by: Carp4483
Sure dd783 i would be up for a ride at claiborn. With my job though i will just see have to see when you guys decide to go whether i will be off or not. Later. O by the way where did you say claiborn is. I will have to plan on staying with a friend or something
Mudfriendly do you have a lift kit on your bike?
Posted by: Carp4483
Well dd783 i dont know about in your area but i am from the delta which is all farm land and the giant concrete circular things are Grain Bins. I have obviously never see what you are talking about that is just the first thing to pop in my mind. How far is Alexandria from Baton Rouge?
Posted by: Carp4483
DD i am off March 22 through April 3 and April 19 through may 1. If you all cant plan something in those dates i understand just wanted to kinda give ya an idea. Later
