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Upper Chunky Creek Trail

Bienville National Forest, Mississippi · 3 min read

Distance
6.5 mi
Elevation Gain
200 ft
Difficulty
moderate
Route Type
Out-And-Back
Best Season
October through April
Est. Time
3-4 hours
Dog Friendly
Yes
Kid Friendly
No
Difficulty Score
5 / 10

Trailhead Amenities

Restroom
Vault Toilet
Parking
Free
Cell Service
No Signal
Water
Nearby
Camping
None
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Conditions, regulations, and fees change frequently. Verify with the local ranger district before your trip. Full disclaimer

At a Glance

  • Upper Chunky Creek with swimming access in the recreation area
  • Bottomland hardwood corridor with tupelo, water oak, and river birch
  • Good birding for herons, kingfishers, and woodland songbirds
  • Creek swimming in the recreation area at the trailhead
  • Less-visited creek corridor in the southern section of Bienville
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Overview

Upper Chunky Creek Trail follows its namesake waterway from the Upper Chunky Creek Recreation Area southward through bottomland hardwood in the southern section of Bienville National Forest. The 6.5-mile out-and-back combines the convenience of a swimming area at the trailhead with a quiet walk through creek-side forest that receives less traffic than the forest's main recreation areas. The bottomland character is classic Gulf coastal plain: water oak, overcup oak, tupelo gum, and river birch line the banks, with a rich riparian bird community overhead.

October through April is the most comfortable season. No permit is required.

The Route

Miles 0 to 1.5: Recreation area to lower creek. From the parking area at the swimming hole, the trail follows the creek upstream through the most manicured section of the corridor. The swimming area is obvious at the start. The trail enters more natural bottomland forest within the first half mile.

Miles 1.5 to 3.25: Creek corridor. The middle section follows the creek through undisturbed bottomland hardwood. Creek access for fishing or rest breaks is available throughout. The footing is flat with occasional muddy sections after rain.

Miles 3.25 to 6.5: Return. Turnaround at a natural rest point on a creek bend, then return the way you came.

When to Hike

October through April: Most comfortable. Low insect pressure and moderate temperatures.

Summer: The swimming area makes summer visits rewarding despite the heat. Hiking beyond the swimming area in summer heat requires early starts and insect management.

What to Bring

Many hikers carry 1.5 liters of water. Creek water is available but requires filtering. Insect repellent from March through October. Swimsuit and towel if planning to use the swimming area.

Trailhead Access

Upper Chunky Creek Recreation Area is reached via forest roads in the southern section of Bienville National Forest. The recreation area is signed from nearby county roads.

Nearby

The Shockaloe Trail is the forest's primary long-distance hiking and equestrian route. The Lake Mike Conner Loop offers lake recreation nearby. Review the Leave No Trace seven principles before visiting.

Before any outing in East Texas national forest terrain, review the checking conditions guide for current information on trail conditions, fire restrictions, and wildlife alerts from official USFS sources.

The America the Beautiful pass covers day-use fees at developed recreation areas throughout the national forest system. Veterans and active military have additional access options covered in the veteran benefits guide.

Trailhead Parking

Upper Chunky Creek Recreation Area. Parking near the swimming area. Vault restrooms on-site. No fee.

← Back to Bienville National Forest

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Upper Chunky Creek good for swimming?
The Upper Chunky Creek Recreation Area has a sandy-bottomed swimming hole adjacent to the trailhead that is one of the more popular swimming destinations in the central Mississippi national forests. The water is clear and the depth is suitable for casual swimming. There is no lifeguard; swimming is at your own judgment. The creek has some rocky sections where footing requires care.
How is the wildlife viewing along Upper Chunky Creek?
The creek corridor is good habitat for a variety of species. Great blue herons and belted kingfishers are regularly seen fishing the creek. Wood ducks nest in the adjacent bottomland hardwood. Beaver activity is visible in some sections. Spring migration brings warblers through the bottomland forest.
Is Upper Chunky Creek Trail marked?
The trail is marked from the recreation area parking and follows the creek corridor southward. Blazing may be intermittent in the less-visited upper sections. Carry a downloaded offline map as cell service is absent.