Horse Riding and Camping
With over 230 miles of equestrian trails, there are plenty of places for you to explore with your horse. And did you know you may ride a horse ANYWHERE (that is safe) on the Kisatchie? You do not need to stick with the trails but are allowed to go cross-country with your horse. Kisatchie Ranger District is also host to the North American Trail Rider Conference each year. Consider entering one year!
Horseback Riding
Horseback riders may ride cross-country on the Kisatchie National Forest and also use the four multiple-use trails that are designated. There is one trail, the Gum Springs Horse Trail on the Winn Ranger District, that is strictly for horses.
Horse Camping
We have several designated horse camps on the Calcasieu, Kisatchie, and Winn Ranger Districts.
Search for Horse Riding and Camping Opportunities
Gum Springs Horse Camp and Trails
The Gum Springs Equestrian Camp is a very popular destination for cowboys and cowgirls from all over Louisiana and other states such as Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Nebraska. This is a great forest ride…
Hickman Trailhead (Trail)
Site Open
The Hickman Trail Loop is a moderately difficult trail that traverses through varying trail types but is predominately upland pine hills. Although the Hickman Trail is a loop trail, it can be used…
Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Trails
There are four separate wilderness trails that have three separate trailheads that are accessible from a vehicle. (Backbone Trail, Turpentine Hill, High-Ridge, and Caroline Dormon) The Backbone…
Kisatchie Ranger District
Site Open
The Kisatchie Ranger District encompasses over 102,000 acres of breath-taking vistas and wilderness and is located near the city of Natchitoches.
Kisatchie Wilderness Area
Site Open
Visitors to the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area can find 8,700 acres of forest featuring some of the most unusually steep and rugged terrain to be found in Louisiana. In addition to a variety of…
Little Creek Trailhead (Trail)
Site Closed
The Little Creek Loop Trail is an easy-to-moderate OHV trail that traverses across a wide variety of terrain. A number of creek crossings surrounded by a hardwood bottomland setting, to very dense…
Longleaf Scenic Area
Site Open
Longleaf Scenic Area
Loran/Claiborne Trailhead Camp
Site Open
The Loran/Claiborne Camp is provided for camping with All-Terrain-Vehicles (ATV) and motorcycles. The Claiborne Multiple-Use Trails are located in Old Camp Claiborne. During its prime, Camp Claiborne…
Oak Camp
Site Open
Visitors to Oak Camp can expect a primitive camp inside the National Red Dirt Wildlife Management Preserve. This camp is available for horse and general camping. No OHV camping allowed. This camp is…
Vernon Unit
Site Open
The Vernon Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District offers outdoor enthusiasts a great variety of recreation opportunities! Visitors to this district unit can enjoy the recreation serenity of a…