Hiking Chicot State Park loop

the campsites on both the north and the south landing are fairly close to one and other. you may not have much privacy with a group of 20. however, if you contact the arboretum which is 1 mile down the road, they may accommodate you. it's really nothing but nature trails. give them a call.

not sure the number. chicot state park arboretum

Spray for chiggers or the boys may have a rough trip.

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Is that in the big campgrounds

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If you mean the tent pads intermixed with the camper spots (with facilities, etc.), then no. There is a separate primitive-only camping area that would be perfect for your scouts.

Yes Boy Scouts. We want to make a 20 mile hike over 3 days. May just hit the Wild Azalea trail again. But a loop makes things easier.

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there's a boy scout camp next to chicot park. it's called "mountain bayou" boy scout camp. it's specifically designed to do what you are doing with these scouts. please contact your "rep" and find out more about it. it has it's own lake and everything. it's where most scouts go to earn their "badges".

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Been there a few times. Not what we are wanting for this trip. Looking for a backpacking trip for kids that can only do 6-8 miles a day. But not return to a base camp.

We've done wild azalea and Backbone trails. Looking for something different without driving 8 hours to Arkansas or Sispey in Alabama. Maybe Chicot won't fit the needs.

if you want to hike 8 miles, you need to camp at indian creek in woodworth and hike in kisatchi national forest

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you need to camp at indian creek in woodworth and hike in kisatchi national forest

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That's what we do on the Wild Azalea trail. Just camp along the trail by a creek for water. But the vehicle shuttle is tough with 8 vehicles and 30 kids.

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Check out clear springs near meadville, ms. It's close and has what you are looking for. Inside homachitto nat Forrest. There were scouts camping last time I was there.

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The trails are good?

I've heard of it but never been. I make a recon there also.

I hate to bring that many before I've seen it.

Hiked the loop this week. Trail is well marked and very easy to hike. Flat 90% of the time with a few ups and downs through gulleys.

Biggest problem for a backpacking trail is no water sources to filter from. The trail rarely even has a view of the lake. There are a few spots that water can be filtered and the lake water is really good tasting I thought.

Saw 8 deer, 5 pigs, 2 snakes, hundreds of spiders. Had to walk with a stick in the air in front of me to knock the webs down.

The backpacking campsites are nice enough. There is a fire ring and grill at each one. Not that big though. Only room for a few tents at some of them. I stayed in #6 and there was plenty room for dozens of tents.

It would be a good trail for training or gear shakedown. But it's not very scenic. I just wish it had came closer to the lake a few more times.

Also mountain biking does look fun in it.

I started at the south landing trail head and hiked to mile 12. Took two side trails to look at some of the campsites. Next day hiked the 9 or so miles out. There was a thunderstorm heading in so I just went nonstop back to the truck.

Caching water would be another possibility. There are quite a few road crossings.

I had a heat time. But may not be as fun for first time backpackers. Sometimes the stress of not knowing where you will hit water can be tough to overcome.

I just hiked without water and camel up when I found some.

A canoe and camp would also be a fun trip. If they would allow use of the backpacker sites while canoeing.

It was $7 for the night for me. I did t think to ask if that was per person or per site or how the charge was figured.

They did register me for the campsite I planned on. I suppose that's to keep from two different groups getting to the same spot.

Good trail but I would rather hike the Wild Azalea or Backbone and sleep where I want to on the trail. Plus the clear sandy creeks are much funnier to get water from.