Vernon Parish Fort Johnson Sand Hills Military Circuit
Tank tracks and deep sand in abandoned military country
The old Fort Johnson training area northwest of Leesville covers 15,000 acres of some of Louisiana’s most challenging sand country, where decades of tank maneuvers left a maze of rutted trails through longleaf pine forests and native prairie. The main circuit follows old artillery roads and tank tracks past concrete bunkers and abandoned range targets, with the infamous ‘Tank Trap Hill’ serving as the route’s most technical obstacle. Red-cockaded woodpecker habitat signs mark the transition zones where military use gave way to ecological restoration.
This is expert-level sand driving that demands proper tire pressure, recovery gear, and experience reading sand conditions. Summer heat makes this route brutal, so plan for cooler months between November and March. No permits needed but respect posted wildlife management boundaries. Fuel up in Leesville and carry extra water—cell service disappears once you leave the main roads. The payoff is 25 miles of pure Louisiana sand country that most overlanders never see, plus the odd historical artifacts left by decades of military training.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 25 mi / 40.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 385 ft |
| Best season | November-March |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with sand tires |
| Nearest town | Leesville, Louisiana |
| Land manager | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock lifted 4Runner or Wrangler handle this trail?
Not reliably. Deep sand here will bury a stock vehicle fast — you need a modified 4WD with proper sand tires, a recovery kit, and ideally a locker. A stock lift alone won't save you when you're axle-deep in loose Louisiana sand.
What's the best time of year to run the Sand Hills circuit?
November through March. Summer heat and humidity in Vernon Parish are brutal, and afternoon thunderstorms can turn already-soft sand into something that'll swallow a truck whole. Winter keeps the sand firmer and the temps survivable.
Do you need a permit to run this trail or camp out here?
The trail runs through land managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries — check current LDWF access requirements before you go, as portions of the area intersect with Fort Johnson (formerly Fort Polk) military land and access rules can change without notice. No standard fee permit is required for LDWF land, but verify active military restrictions ahead of your trip.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The deep sand two-tracks carved by tank treads are relentless across the whole circuit — there's no single crux, just 25 miles of soft sand that never lets up. Expect to air down to 10-15 PSI, expect to get stuck at least once, and expect the trail to look totally passable right before it buries you to the frame.
There's zero cell service out here — how far is the nearest help if something goes catastrophically wrong?
Leesville is your nearest town and emergency services hub, roughly 10-20 miles depending on where you are on the circuit. Plan like no one is coming — carry a satellite communicator, redundant recovery gear, and enough water for an unplanned overnight because that's a real possibility on this trail.
Trail track
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