Bienville National Forest Hurricane Creek Wilderness Perimeter Road

Hurricane Creek Wilderness Perimeter Road runs 23 miles around Bienville National Forest’s designated wilderness boundary, threading through forest that Hurricane Katrina rearranged in 2005. The route follows old logging grades and fire roads past massive blown-down timber now serving as nurse logs for new growth. Deep sand sections between miles 12-16 will test your momentum, especially where the road drops into Hurricane Creek’s headwaters — a boggy bottom that’s claimed more than a few stock trucks over the years.

Difficult rating comes from those sand traps and seasonal mud holes that can swallow axles. Modified 4WD with aggressive tread, low-range gearing, and a winch or recovery gear is strongly recommended. Avoid during wet periods when clay bottoms turn to gumbo. Best traveled November through February when ground’s firm and temperatures reasonable. No permits required, primitive camping allowed along designated spurs. Pack plenty of water, recovery boards, and don’t attempt alone — cell service vanishes quickly inside the wilderness boundary.