Getting Oriented
The De Soto Ranger District manages Rattlesnake Bay from an office in Wiggins, about 25 miles away. The trail itself sits off Forest Service Road 312 near New Augusta, in Perry County. From Hattiesburg, drive south on Highway 49 for about 6 miles, turn east onto Highway 98 and continue 14 miles to New Augusta, then head south on Highway 29 for 2 miles and follow the posted ATV signs onto FS Road 312. The trailhead address is 3440 Highway 29, New Augusta.
The surrounding country belongs to Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, more than 134,000 acres across Perry, Forrest, and Greene counties and the largest state-owned field training site in the United States. Rattlesnake Bay operates under a special-use permit inside that training footprint, which is why riders share the ground with Mississippi National Guard exercises rather than riding through an isolated stretch of national forest.
Trail Overview
Rattlesnake Bay totals 31.6 miles across three loops of 2, 7.6, and 22 miles, enough for a short lap or a full day out depending on which loop or combination a rider picks. The Forest Service describes the tread as a natural-surface trail that follows the ground's contours, routed to avoid steep slopes, wet drainages, and other sensitive ground. Rider write-ups describe the surface as mostly hard-packed dirt with light to moderate elevation change, calling most of it easy going with some intermediate sections; the Forest Service itself doesn't publish a numeric difficulty rating.
All vehicles must be 50 inches wide or narrower, which rules out full-size UTVs and side-by-sides. Tire tread can't exceed 1 inch deep, and a spark arrestor plus an exhaust system limiting sound to 96 dBA are both required. The trail is open year-round unless weather forces a closure. Call 601-528-6180 to check conditions before hauling out.
Points of Interest
- Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center surrounds the trail under its special-use permit, and riders may encounter wheeled convoys, tanks, or foot maneuvers during the May-through-September training season.
- Turkey Fork Recreation Area, about 21 miles from the trailhead near Sandhill, centers on a 240-acre lake with a boat ramp and two swim areas, the closest developed recreation site to the trail.
- New Augusta, the Perry County seat, sits at the trail's access point off Highway 29 and is the nearest town for fuel and supplies.
Where to Camp
Primitive camping is available at the Rattlesnake Bay trailhead itself, with a chemical toilet on site but no potable water; stays are limited to seven days. For a developed campground with hookups, Turkey Fork Recreation Area is about 21 miles away near Sandhill, with RV and primitive sites, flush toilets, and showers around its 240-acre lake. Sites there are reservable through Recreation.gov.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Call 601-528-6180 before hauling out. Trail conditions change with weather, and Rattlesnake Bay sits inside a military training area that runs its own separate schedule.
- Expect wheeled traffic, tanks, or foot maneuvers on parts of the trail from May through September. Call Camp Shelby Range Control at 601-584-2709 for the current training schedule.
- Bring exact cash for the $10 self-pay fee, or buy the $60 annual pass in advance.
- Vehicles must be 50 inches wide or narrower with tire tread no deeper than 1 inch. A spark arrestor and an exhaust system limiting sound to 96 dBA are both required.
- Riders need a valid driver's license; those under 16 need a safety certificate and a helmet.
- No potable water is available at the trailhead. Pack in what you need and pack out all trash.
Fuel and Water
No potable water is available at the trailhead. New Augusta, at the trail's access point on Highway 29, has basic fuel and supplies. Hattiesburg, about 20 miles away via Highway 98 and Highway 49, is the nearest full-service town.
Nearby
Turkey Fork Recreation Area, about 21 miles from the trailhead near Sandhill, centers on a 240-acre lake with a boat ramp, two swim areas, and developed camping, reservable through Recreation.gov. Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, more than 134,000 acres across Perry, Forrest, and Greene counties, surrounds the trail's special-use area. New Augusta, the Perry County seat, sits at the trail's own access point on Highway 29.
