Getting Oriented
The Chickasaw ATV/Motorcycle Trail sits in the Tombigbee Ranger District, the northern unit of the National Forests in Mississippi, about 14 miles north of Houston and 29 miles south of Tupelo. From Tupelo, drive 17 miles south on the Natchez Trace Parkway to the Davis Lake Recreation Area exit at milepost 243, turn right onto County Road 413, and continue one mile to the trailhead. The trail itself sits a mile west of the parkway, inside forest managed by the Tombigbee District Office.
Trail Overview
The trail runs 12 miles on native dirt and clay tread (Forest Service Trail #42). The 48-inch width cap covers ATVs and motorcycles; full-size UTVs don't fit. The Forest Service rates the riding easy to moderate, with the main technical factor being wet clay after rain rather than rock or elevation. It's open seasonally, April 1 through November 1. The Tombigbee District Office (662-285-3264) can confirm current ground conditions before a trip.
Points of Interest
- Davis Lake Recreation Area, the landmark used in the trail's own driving directions, sits about a mile from the trail entrance with a developed lake and campground.
- Owl Creek Mounds, a Native American ceremonial site preserved within the ranger district, sits a few miles from the trailhead off the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Where to Camp
Davis Lake Recreation Area, a developed Forest Service campground about a mile from the trailhead, is the closest developed camping. Dispersed camping is allowed elsewhere in the Tombigbee Ranger District under standard Forest Service rules; check current restrictions with the district office before setting up off a forest road.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Call the Tombigbee District Office at 662-285-3264 before hauling out; wet clay sections close the trail after heavy rain.
- Bring exact cash for the $10 self-pay fee station. No attendant is on duty.
- Vehicles must be 48 inches wide or narrower. Full-size UTVs and side-by-sides aren't permitted.
- Facilities are limited to a trailhead lot and a chemical toilet. There's no potable water on site.
Fuel and Water
No potable water or fuel is available at the trailhead. Houston, Mississippi (14 miles south) and Tupelo (29 miles north) are the nearest towns with gas stations and stores.
Nearby
Davis Lake Recreation Area (about 1 mile from the trailhead) has a developed campground and day-use lake. Owl Creek Mounds, a Native American ceremonial site within the ranger district, sits a few miles from the trailhead off the Natchez Trace Parkway.
