Corral, Derry La

Sandstone Multiple-use trail - Corral and Lotus Camp, Derry La
Nov 25. 2012
   Sandy trails, rolling hills, hickory and oak trees in the creek bottom and pine trees on the hill tops. We rode over to Lotus camp, 30 miles, along the way the sandy trails felt like we were snowmobiling. At the creek crossings, there were bridges to cross, probably 52 inches wide. We were the only ones riding and the leaves were falling.

Note the width of the bridge, to small for side by sides.

 

INFORMATION>
LOCATION>   NEAREST CITY=Derry   DIRECTIONS=Off Hwy 59
AREA >   TYPE OF LAND=-mud, forest,, OWNER=  Kisatchie Nat Forest
QUALITY >  Pro- camping and marked trails / Con- low miles /  Length of stay 1-2 days / Rating-stars 2 out of 5
TERRAIN>  MILES OF TRAILS, hills / forest / mud / water crossing  on bridges           TRAIL MAINTENCE  - yes 
REGULATIONS> Permit required / Camping /whip / helmets req. / width req.
FEE> Camping-$3 / ATV permit $5 per machine
KEY SERVICES> Camping / Gasoline / Diesel / First Aid /  Water /  Dump / Food=Derry

Enduro Camp, Carvens, La

 Enduro Camp, Cravens, La

Nov. 19, 2012
  At this campground, you can park where you would like, under mature pine trees. The trails start right at camp.  The area is sandy, hilly, forested with hardwoods and pine. We left at 9am and returned by 4pm, and only went 20 miles. We rode on the Mogual trail, thru mud pits, bottom lands, watching out for wild hogs that are rutting, looking for acorns. Beware, they can be dangerous!  We came across a Retired Sargent Major, Pete Jones, from the near by Fort Polk Army Base.  He volunteers' his time picking up garbage on the trail (such a shame, people throw out cans and paper in the woods). He was a wealth of information about the area.
  Next day we rode the Fullerton trail to the Fullerton Cemetery, and back on the Enduro trail, 30 miles. When we arrived on a Monday, there was only 2 campers, by Wednesday, it grew to 30 campers.  It was Thanksgiving week, and the folks from New Orleans, come north to make it a week of riding in the woods. They were so friendly, and invited us right into their group to share their food and watch football!  We still keep in touch!

INFORMATION>
LOCATION>   NEAREST CITY=Cravens, La   DIRECTIONS=North of Hwy 10
AREA >   TYPE OF LAND=- forest  , OWNER=   Nat Forest
QUALITY >  Pro-marked trails, nice scenery / Con- would like more miles of trails /  Length of stay 2-3/ Rating-stars3 out of 5
TERRAIN>  MILES OF TRAILS, hills / forest / mud  / water crossing /     TRAIL MAINTENCE   / SQ. MILE AREA -/  NEAR BY TRAILS-  yes
REGULATIONS> Permit required for riding $5 per machine
FEE> Camping –$0

Loran/Claiborne, Forest Hills, La

Loran/Claiborne, Forest Hills, La
Nov 17, 2012
   This is a very nice campground, at least 30 large sites, pine trees, picnic tables, firegrills, firepits and vault toliets. There is a fee for camping and riding the trails. There is also a large parking area for staging.   Since hunting season was on, we wore orange vests and caps.  The temps were 65 and low of 45 degrees, and foliage in full color
  The area has sand, large pine trees, hardwoods, small rolling hills and well marked trails
Camp Claiborne is also an old World War II army camp. The trails make several loops, with no riding off trails.

INFORMATION>
LOCATION>   NEAREST CITY=Forest Hills   DIRECTIONS=
AREA >   TYPE OF LAND=- forest , OWN= Nat Forest
QUALITY >  Pro marked, scenic trails / Con- not many miles /  Lenght of stay 1-2 days   RATINGS 2-3 out of 5 stars

Livingston, Pollack La

Old Camp Livingston, Pollack La
Nov, 12, 2012
   In 1940-1945, Camp Livingston was an War World II Army Military camp.  During World War II, thousands of Japanese, German and Italian prisoners of war were kept in this internment camp.  At one point, the buildings were tore down because of asbestose in the buildings. There is information on line about this area.    All the roads and building foundations are still there, with pine trees growing up among everything.  You will kind a kiosk, maps, boondocking and staging area,  on the right on an old tar road.
  We rode Little Creek Trail for 20 miles, riding thru sand, pine trees, more old foundations and 5 hugh circle type swimming pools.
  We also rode on the Hickman trail. This is where we first saw long needle pine trees. The needles are 12-16 inches long! The area isn't to big, but it was an interesting area to explore.

Camped on abandoned road                   These are old building foundations, in great condition.

Thick forest                                                            Long leaf (needle,) Pine trees, 12 inches long.

INFORMATION>
LOCATION>   NEAREST CITY=Ball  
AREA >   TYPE OF LAND=- forest QUALITY >  Pro history / Con- to small /  Length of stay /1-2 days Rating-stars=1 of 5TERRAIN>  MILES OF TRAILS forest / mud /  water crossing

Magazine Mt State Park, Paris Ar

Magazine Mt State Park, Paris Arkansas
Oct 25, 2012
   We climbed the mountain towards the State Park, and turn to the right at the Horse Camp. There are no utilities, and it is a major staging area.  Good thing we had a map of the trails and the roads, because there were many! One day we rode 40 miles, the leaves were so thick on the ground we had a difficult time following the trail.  Some trails cross hard bottomed creeks.  We also found Buzzard Rock, it is a high sandstone bluff.  At this point you can see miles away.   Oak, maple, pawpaw and pine trees make a patchwork quilt of many colors.

View from Buzzard cliff                                    Outstanding leaf colors!

The second day the parking lot was full of trucks and trailers with OHV. We drove 35 miles, and only met 3 OHV. We were on the Huckleberry Trail where we took an off shoot trail to a Rock Wall, 300 ft tall and 700 ft long, it was so remarkable. There is no railing at the top, so beware when riding in the area. Watch out for horse riders, since the trails are shared. 
After we were done riding we went to the lodge in the park which had a stunning view and a wonderful lunch.  Right out of the lodge, there is a walk at the top of the mountain ridge, where we could see all the trees in fall foliage. We also drove to the parking area and hiked to the tallest point in Arkansas, 2,753 ft.  It was not a strenuous hike because you have already drove up the mountain to the park. There is also a lookout loop road in the park, with sandstone bluffs and breathtaking views.                                         

 

INFORMATION>
LOCATION>   NEAREST CITY=Paris, NEARST TOWN=Havana   DIRECTIONS= Paris, Hwy 22, south on Hwy 309, to Magazine Mountain State Park. Boondocking on right at the Horse Camp
AREA >   TYPE OF LAND=- forest, mountain, hard bottom creeks , OWNER=  State & Nat Forest
QUALITY >  Pro / Con /  Length of stay 3 days / Rating-stars 5 out of 5
TERRAIN>  MILES OF TRAILS, hills  forest / mud  / water crossing /                                

TRAIL MAINTENCE -Yes  / SIDE TRIPS> Magazine Mountain State Park

A short hike from the lodge

Dover, Ar

Macks Pine CG. Dover, Ar
Oct 23, 2012
   Macks Pine Campground is north of Dover on Hwy 164, it is right off the highway and Moccican Gap Horse Camp is 1 mi North. We camped at both sites and rode out of both. The trails and roads are used often and marked. It was an interesting area of hardwood forest, water crossings and rocky areas. We drove many miles.

Stick bug

 

Brock CG, Jerusalem, Arkansas

Ozark National Forest Service, Brock Cr Campground,Jerusalem,Arkansas                                                                                      Oct 10, 2012
   We were lucky to find Brock Campground, it is off the main highway, on a gravel road, with no signs to point the way.  Once we got to the small, no utilities, 6 site campground. we were lucky to fit in the sites with our 36ft. toy hauler. There was a outhouse, firepit and picnic tables.   But once we went out riding it was worth it. There were many trails, thru the hard wood forest, water crossings with mountain top ridges. It had rained and there were mud holes and mud near the lake.  Larry was leading when he dropped into a BIG water hole.  This is the first time he had to use his winch to get out!  We came across a raccoon and a few deer.

Camping site with a small lake at rear.                Larry’s new Can-Am.

    

     

INFORMATION>
LOCATION>   NEAREST TOWN=Jerusalem, Ar Nearest City= Russellville, Ar   DIRECTIONS=North of Jerusalem on County Rd 124
AREA >   TYPE OF LAND=- forest,  , OWNER=   Nat Forest
QUALITY >  Pro / Con /  Length of stay 2 days / Rating-star 4 out of 5 stars
TERRAIN>  MILES OF TRAILS, hills  / forest / mud  / water crossing