Page 1
Page 1
Started By
Message
locked post

Tunica Hills

Posted on 3/6/12 at 11:20 pm
Posted by elleshoo9
New Orleans
Member since Aug 2007
1859 posts
Posted on 3/6/12 at 11:20 pm
Can anyone tell me about the hiking/camping in the Tunica Hills WMA? Me and a friend are looking to get into camping and were wondering if Tunica Hills would be a good place to start.
Posted by tigersownall
Thibodaux
Member since Sep 2011
15325 posts
Posted on 3/6/12 at 11:25 pm to
The hiking area is nice.
Posted by nahtanojc
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2006
980 posts
Posted on 3/6/12 at 11:37 pm to
Just don't bring a bike...

A couple friends and I made that mistake once; never again.

Oh, and go after a good rain when the waterfalls will be nice and full.

As for camping, I was unaware you could.
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
45806 posts
Posted on 3/6/12 at 11:41 pm to
LINK

quote:

Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is composed of two separate tracts lying northwest of St. Francisville in West Feliciana Parish. The North Tract (2,346 acres) lies immediately adjacent to the Louisiana State Penitentiary. This tract is accessed from Farrah Davis Road off of LA 66, approximately 14.3 miles west of US 61. A check station is located on the WMA approximately three miles down Farrah Davis Road from LA 66. The South Tract (3,560 acres) has a few different access points, but is most commonly accessed by driving 17.3 miles west on LA 66 from US 61 to Old Tunica Road. Continue on Old Tunica Road for about one mile to enter the WMA. The Old Tunica Road is a portion of the scenic Natchez Trace System and has been used for travel since colonial times. Three check stations are located on the South Tract.

Tunica Hills WMA encompasses 5,906 acres and is owned by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Terrain on the area is characterized by rugged hills, bluffs, and ravines. The area lies at the southern end of the “loess blufflands” escarpment that follows the east bank of the Mississippi River south from its confluence with the Ohio River. These blufflands offer a diverse and unique habitat that supports some species of plants and animals not found elsewhere in Louisiana.

The forest type on the area is classified as upland hardwood, with some loblolly pine and eastern red cedar mixed in on the ridge tops and creek terraces. Hardwoods consist of American beech, American holly, flowering magnolia, cherrybark oak, water oak, cow oak, hickory, sweetgum, Osage orange, hackberry, eastern hophornbeam, ironwood, yellow poplar, elm, maple, and other less predominant species. The understory varies from dense in younger areas of timber to fairly open in older areas. Common understory species are oak leaf hydrangia, two-winged silverbell, trifoliate orange, pawpaw, flowering dogwood, sweetleaf, spicebush, blackberry, and switchcane. At least 20 species of plants classified as rare in Louisiana are found on this area and two of these species have not been found to occur anywhere else in the state.

Tunica Hills WMA is open to a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including hunting, trapping, birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, bike riding, sightseeing, and photography. A nature trail and three hiking trails are present. Hunting is allowed at specified times for deer, turkey, and small game. Trapping is allowed for coyote, fox, bobcat, raccoon and opossum. Eastern chipmunks are found on the area. Infrequently, black bear tracks are observed. Numerous snake species are common in the area, including canebrake rattlesnakes and copperheads. Resident and migratory bird species are abundant on the area, including several that are rare elsewhere in the state, such as the worm-eating warbler and the Coopers hawk. A tent-only camping area is located off of Parker Road on the South Tract. Access to both tracts is provided by a series of trails. All-Terrain-Vehicles are only allowed on designated ATV trails from September through February.

Additional information can be obtained from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife Division, 42371 Phyllis Ann Rd, Hammond, LA 70403, 985-543-4777.
Posted by Wooly
Member since Feb 2012
13851 posts
Posted on 3/7/12 at 1:21 am to
i just hiked it on saturday it was great





we went after a good rain the day before. waterfalls were amazing... but the primitive trail which we hiked was really slippery on the steep slopes, busted my arse a few times. a solid 4 hour hike, we took our time

ETA: make sure you have some good hiking shoes if you are doing the primitive trail
This post was edited on 3/7/12 at 1:23 am
Posted by upgrade
Member since Jul 2011
13028 posts
Posted on 3/7/12 at 6:45 am to
I went one time when I was 12.
It was around June/July I think.
Rain poured down and the creeks swole up quickly.
That made it very, very fun, but a little scary.
At one point I had to pull an 8 year old from being swept away by water.
I have only been back one time and it was to bowhunt, but I keep telling myself I will go back hiking one day.
Posted by Tbooux
Member since Oct 2011
1680 posts
Posted on 3/7/12 at 7:53 am to
Was thinking about heading out there this weekend, Whats better the North or South Tract?
Posted by Slickback
Deer Stand
Member since Mar 2008
27681 posts
Posted on 3/7/12 at 9:03 am to
The Tunica WMA is different than the Clark Creek Natural Area (the one with waterfalls), or do they have waterfalls on the Tunica WMA trails also?

Clark Creek Natural Area is the one in Pond, MS, just north of the Tunica WMA (but still considered in the "Tunica Hills"). I've hiked it several times and it is a fun hike and you don't have to be in great hiking shape.
Posted by lsufishnhunt
Member since Jun 2008
1026 posts
Posted on 3/7/12 at 9:12 am to
Go to the Clark Creek Natural Area if you are wanting to see the waterfalls. The Tunica Hills WMA has some walking trails, but none of the trails go to the waterfalls as shown in an above picture.

As far as camping, I'm not sure about the Clark Creek area. The Tunica WMA has a campground. You can pull your vehicle right up to where you want to set up your tent. There isn't an established campground that would require you to hike to.
Posted by Slickback
Deer Stand
Member since Mar 2008
27681 posts
Posted on 3/7/12 at 9:15 am to
I'm pretty sure there is no camping allowed at Clark Creek.

But it is only a few minutes (by vehicle) from Tunica WMA. You can cam there and go hike Clark Creek one of the days.
Posted by FelicianaTigerfan
Comanche County
Member since Aug 2009
26059 posts
Posted on 3/7/12 at 9:52 am to
quote:

Clark Creek


I use to blow those out houses up in the mornings headed to Lake Mary with beer shits.
Posted by tunicahillbilly
Member since Jun 2013
2 posts
Posted on 9/15/13 at 11:06 pm to
I see your inquiry is old, but FYI there's a new really nice tent campground on the way to Clark Creek waterfalls.(8 miles from there) They also have a nice 2 bedroom cabin for rent. Check out their website at www.tunicahillscampground.com
Happy Camping!
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram