Getting Oriented
Muddy Bottoms ATV & Recreation Park sits near Sarepta in northern Webster Parish, in the northwestern corner of Louisiana about 35 road miles north of Shreveport and close to the Arkansas line. It is a private, commercially operated park, not federal or state land, and it opened to the public around 2014. At 5,000 acres it ranks among the largest ATV parks in the country by state and regional tourism listings. The park runs on a posted event calendar: if a date is not listed, the gates stay closed. Advance tickets and camping reservations are the norm, and the front of the property is built out with a welcome center, pro shop and convenience store, a full-service repair shop, a pay-at-pump fuel station, potable water from an on-site treatment plant, an amphitheater, and a spray park for kids.
Trail Overview
Sources put the marked trail network at roughly 100 to 150 miles across the 5,000 acres, with unlimited loop options through frequent intersections. Mud dominates. The southern corner of the property stays very wet and soft, while the northern trails around the lake run drier and hardpacked, so riders can pick a line to match their machine and nerve. Built features add to the natural terrain: an 11-acre man-made mud pit with a regulated water level, an oval mud pit used for racing, and a sand drag strip. The park does not publish a formal difficulty rating; trail choice is by feel and by how deep the water is running that weekend.
Points of Interest
- 11-acre man-made mud pit with a regulated water depth aimed at an average side-by-side crossing
- Oval mud pit used for racing events
- Sand drag strip
- Lake with drier, hardpacked trails looping the north end
- Amphitheater and outdoor music venue used for festival concerts
- Spray/sprinkler park, drive-through ATV/UTV wash, pro shop, and full-service repair shop
Where to Camp
All lodging is on-site and tied to event weekends. Five cabins come with private bathrooms and linens and sleep from six to twelve or more. RV camping runs to roughly 150 to 185 sites across several tiers, including premium and standard pull-through, full-hookup, back-in, and primitive spots. Tent and primitive camping are also available. Full-hookup RV sites, cabins, and tickets for the fall events typically go on sale after the May Mudapalooza ride, so booking early matters.
Permits and Regulations
Entry is a paid event ticket rather than a public-land permit. Pre-sale online admission is cheaper than paying at the gate, and pricing changes by event. For marquee festivals such as Mudstock, general admission has run about $95 pre-sale online or $100 at the gate, with children 10 and under free. Open-ride weekends cost less. The park permits dirt bikes, ATVs, UTV/side-by-sides, and registered SUVs, Jeeps, and full-size 4x4s; unregistered dune buggies and sand rails are also allowed. Confirm current helmet, registration, and spark-arrestor requirements with the park before arriving.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Check the event calendar first and buy tickets in advance; the park is closed on any date not posted.
- Carry full recovery gear (winch, tow straps, rated recovery points); deep bogs and the mud pit swallow machines regularly.
- Run aggressive mud tires and protect your air intake before hitting the wet southern trails.
- Reserve cabins and full-hookup RV sites early, especially after they release following the May Mudapalooza ride.
- Fuel is sold on-site (ethanol-free gas and diesel at the pump), but top off in Sarepta or Springhill as a backup.
- Cell coverage is spotty on the back trails; note the office line 318-377-3800 (security at extension 24) before you ride out.
Fuel and Water
Fuel is available on-site at a pay-at-pump station carrying ethanol-free gasoline and diesel, alongside a convenience store and pro shop. Potable water comes from the park's own treatment plant. For anything the on-site store lacks, the nearest towns are Sarepta, Cullen, and Springhill within a short drive; Shreveport and Bossier City, about 35 miles southwest, are the closest full-service supply and lodging hubs. Top off fuel in Springhill or Sarepta before entering as a hedge, since on-site fuel is tied to event operating hours.
Nearby
Shreveport and Bossier City, roughly 35 miles southwest, hold the region's hotels, casinos, and major shopping and are the practical base for a Muddy Bottoms weekend. Springhill, Cullen, and Sarepta are the closest small towns for last-minute supplies. Lake Bistineau State Park lies south of the park for a quieter camping change of pace. For public-land off-road riding in Louisiana, Kisatchie National Forest in the central part of the state carries designated OHV trails and is the main agency-managed alternative to private mud parks like this one.