Getting Oriented
Little Tiger ATV/Motorcycle Trail sits in the Chickasawhay Ranger District, the southern arm of Mississippi's De Soto National Forest, about 20 miles southeast of Laurel via Forest Service Road 220. The trail winds through longleaf pine upland with views down into the Little Thompson Creek watershed. The Forest Service's supervisor's office for all of Mississippi's National Forests is based in Jackson; local trail questions go to the Chickasawhay office at 601-428-5118.
Trail Overview
The system totals about 12 miles across three connected pieces (Forest Service Trail #13, 13A, and 13B): a main loop, a shorter loop, and a warm-up segment for new riders. Surface is native dirt through pine flatwoods, rated easy to moderate by the Forest Service. Mudding is confined to a few designated areas rather than allowed trail-wide. The trail stays open year-round, but the district closes it when ground conditions saturate, so calling ahead before hauling out a trailer is standard practice here.
Points of Interest
- The Little Thompson Creek watershed views along the main loop are the trail's signature stretch, cutting through longleaf pine under active restoration across De Soto National Forest.
- The warm-up segment gives new riders a shorter loop to get comfortable before tackling the roughly 9-mile main run.
Where to Camp
The Forest Service doesn't list a developed campground at the Little Tiger trailhead; picnic tables and a chemical toilet are the only on-site facilities. Turkey Fork Recreation Area, a Forest Service campground in the same Chickasawhay Ranger District, is the nearest developed camping, roughly 17 miles away.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Call 601-428-5118 before hauling out; the district closes Little Tiger during saturated ground conditions even though it's nominally open year-round.
- Bring exact cash for the $10 per-person day fee. The self-pay station has no attendant.
- Stick to designated mudding areas; riding off-trail through wet ground elsewhere on the system isn't permitted.
- Vehicles must be 48 inches wide or narrower.
Fuel and Water
No fuel or potable water is available at the trailhead. Laurel, Mississippi, about 20 miles northwest, is the nearest town with gas stations and grocery stores.
Nearby
Turkey Fork Recreation Area, a Forest Service campground in the same Chickasawhay Ranger District, is the nearest developed camping, roughly 17 miles away.
