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**There is a tent-only, primitive camping area off of Parker Road on the South Tract.**
Tunica Hills WMA is composed of two separate tracts. The North Tract (2,346 acres) is immediately adjacent to the Louisiana State Penitentiary. The South Tract (4,156 acres) is off Old Tunica Road, which is part of the scenic Natchez Trace System and has been used for travel since colonial times.
The WMA’s terrain is characterized by rugged hills, bluffs, and ravines. The area lies at the southern end of the “loess blufflands” escarpment that follows the east bank of the Mississippi River south from its confluence with the Ohio River. These blufflands offer a diverse and unique habitat that supports some species of plants and animals not found elsewhere in Louisiana.
The forest on the area is classified as upland hardwood, with some loblolly pine and eastern red cedar mixed in on the ridge tops and creek terraces. Hardwoods include American beech; American holly; flowering magnolia; cherrybark, water, and cow oak; hickory; sweetgum; Osage orange; hackberry; eastern hophornbeam; ironwood; yellow poplar; elm; and maple. The understory varies from dense in younger areas of timber to fairly open in older areas. Common understory species are oak leaf hydrangea, two-winged silverbell, trifoliate orange, pawpaw, flowering dogwood, sweetleaf, spicebush, blackberry, and switchcane. At least 20 species of plants classified as rare in Louisiana are found on this area; two of these species have not been found anywhere else in the state.
Tunica Hills WMA is northwest of St. Francisville. Access the North Tract from Farrah Davis Road off LA Hwy 66, approximately 14.3 miles west of U.S. Hwy 61. While you can access the South Tract from a few different points, the best way to go is by driving 17.3 miles west on LA Hwy 66 from U.S. Hwy 61 to Old Tunica Road. Continue on Old Tunica Road for about 1 mile to enter the WMA. A series of trails provide interior access to both tracts.
It was so quiet, except for the wind in the trees, the birds flitting about and calling to each other, the squirrels and chipmunks running through the leaves and chattering at each other. It was so clean. We went in early January and could not have wished for better weather. It was glorious. Everyone should visit at least once. Wear sturdy footwear that you don't mind getting muddy/wet.
Great place to get away. The area is so different from most of south Louisiana. There are hills. Big hills, and deep ravines. The trail at the larger parking area does a 4.5 mile loop. You descend into a ravine. Then follow a mostly dry sandy creek bed for about 1.5 miles. Then climb back out again
Great trails! Lots of paved & cleared areas to hike or take the scenic route up the creek beds. The waterfalls are worth the hike! Will not disappoint!
Would have been a great hike if anything had been marked. There were mile markers but no indicators where the falls were and we went down 3 false trails and never did get to the falls. Wish they had markings somewhere, or even a map at the trailheads would have been good. 4 hours and never saw the falls. The trails were not cleared much, but there had been some heavy rains, so that was understandable. We did enjoy the natural habitat. I would recommend you not go in August and be sure you know where you're going.
Tunica Hills is such a unique change of scenery in Louisiana. Elevation you say? Waterfalls even? (Note the waterfalls are in the Clark Creek area in MS- but close enough to count)
I enjoyed walking the creek trail and being able to see the wash outs that tell the story of how Louisiana was formed. Wind blown silt deposits that eroded to form narrow ridges and steep slopes. Very interesting stuff for people who like dirt and rocks.
Soil not your thing? How about plants? Tunica is a unique bluff forest and because of that it creates an environment that is cooler and moist so it hosts a variety of beautiful plants such as; Shumard oak, cherrybark oak, tulip poplar, southern magnolia, American beech, blue beech and hickories.
