Bienville National Forest Shongelo Loop

The Shongelo Loop follows 23 miles of maintained forest roads through Bienville National Forest’s eastern section, connecting three abandoned logging camps from the 1950s timber boom. The route follows Shongelo Creek for eight miles, passing the concrete foundations of Camp Shongelo—a company town that housed 200 families until International Paper pulled out in 1963. Forest Road 511 climbs through longleaf pine stands before dropping into creek bottoms where massive cypress stumps mark pre-settlement old growth.

This moderate route handles well with any high-clearance vehicle, though the sandy sections after rain can challenge lighter rigs. The creek crossings are all bridged except for one seasonal ford at mile 14 that’s typically passable year-round. Best run April through October when the mosquitoes calm down and camping is comfortable. Several established dispersed sites along the creek offer fire rings and level ground, making this a solid weekend basecamp for exploring the forest’s 200 miles of interconnected roads.