Vernon Parish Fort Johnson Sand Hills Military Circuit

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.