Skip to main content
ForestMatters, LLC

Big Foot Horse Trail

De Soto National Forest, Mississippi · 3 min read

Distance
28 mi
Elevation Gain
600 ft
Difficulty
easy-moderate
Route Type
Loop
Best Season
October through April
Est. Time
7-10 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
Developed
Google MapsApple Maps

Conditions, regulations, and fees change frequently. Verify with the local ranger district before your trip. Full disclaimer

At a Glance

  • Primary equestrian trail system in De Soto National Forest
  • Longleaf pine uplands undergoing active restoration
  • Multiple creek crossings through bottomland hardwood corridors
  • 28 miles of routes with multiple loop options
  • Horse camp facilities at the main trailhead
wildlifewildflowersriver

Overview

Big Foot Horse Trail is the primary equestrian and multi-use trail system in De Soto National Forest, covering 28 miles of longleaf pine uplands and creek-crossing bottomlands in the coastal plain of southern Mississippi. The trail is open to hikers and mountain bikers as well as equestrians, and the wide sandy track is characteristic of the coastal plain's sandy soils. The full route can be broken into shorter loops or completed as an overnight.

The terrain is gentle by national forest standards, with minimal sustained elevation gain across the full 28-mile distance. The challenge is length and the occasional wet bottomland section rather than steepness. October through April is the most comfortable season.

The Route

Inner loop (approximately 8 to 12 miles): The inner section of the Big Foot system circles through recovering longleaf pine with several creek crossings. This is the most commonly hiked section and gives a good overview of the forest's restoration efforts. Prescribed burn areas visible from the trail are intentional management, not damage.

Outer loops: The outer sections of the trail extend into less-traveled longleaf uplands and longer creek bottom sections. These areas are more remote and see less equestrian traffic, making them quiet for midweek hikers.

Creek crossings: Several creek crossings on the route require wading in high-water periods (winter and spring). In summer and fall, most crossings are shallow enough for dry passage.

When to Hike

October through April is the best window. Temperatures are comfortable and insect activity is reduced. The longleaf pine landscape is open and easy to follow. Hunting seasons from October through January mean blaze orange is recommended in the upland sections.

May through September: Hot and humid. Early morning starts are recommended. Insect repellent is important throughout the warm months.

What to Bring

Many hikers carry 2 liters of water for a full-day outing on this trail. Creek water is available but requires filtering. Wide-soled shoes or boots with good grip handle the sandy coastal plain soil. Trekking poles help with balance on creek crossings after rain.

Trailhead Access

The main trailhead and horse camp are reached via forest roads off US-49 south of Hattiesburg. The exact trailhead coordinates are on the USFS De Soto ranger district map, available from the Hattiesburg office. Cell service is absent throughout the route.

Nearby

The Turkey Fork Loop at the Turkey Fork Recreation Area is the most accessible family-friendly hike in the forest. The Black Creek Trail is the forest's signature long-distance route for backpackers. Review the Leave No Trace seven principles and our checking conditions guide before a full-day outing here.

Trailhead Parking

Big Foot Horse Camp Trailhead off forest roads south of Hattiesburg. Horse camp facilities on-site. No fee for day use.

← Back to De Soto National Forest

More Trails in De Soto National Forest

easyloop

Airey Lake Trail

3.5 mi80 ft gain
October through April

A 3.5-mile easy loop around Airey Lake in De Soto National Forest, offering flatwater birding, fishing access, and a gentle walk through coastal plain pine and hardwood forest.

3 min read

moderatepoint-to-point

Black Creek Trail

41 mi900 ft gain
October through April

A 41-mile point-to-point backpacking route along Mississippi's only Wild and Scenic River in De Soto National Forest, passing through the Black Creek Wilderness and bottomland cypress forest.

4 min read

moderateloop

Black Creek Wilderness Loop

9 mi250 ft gain
October through April

A 9-mile day-hiking loop through the Black Creek Wilderness in De Soto National Forest, exploring old-growth cypress bottomland and blackwater creek habitat in Mississippi's only federally designated wilderness.

3 min read

easyloop

Longleaf Pine Nature Trail

1.8 mi50 ft gain
Year-round

A 1.8-mile easy interpretive loop in De Soto National Forest explaining the longleaf pine ecosystem restoration underway across the Gulf coastal plain of southern Mississippi.

3 min read

moderateout-and-back

Red Creek Trail

7 mi180 ft gain
October through April

A 7-mile out-and-back trail following Red Creek through bottomland hardwood forest in De Soto National Forest, with good wildlife viewing and access to a less-visited section of the forest's creek corridor.

3 min read

easyloop

Turkey Fork Recreation Area Loop

4.5 mi150 ft gain
October through April

A 4.5-mile easy loop at the Turkey Fork Recreation Area in De Soto National Forest, circling through longleaf pine and mixed hardwood forest near Turkey Fork Creek.

3 min read

moderatepoint-to-point

Tuxachanie Trail

23 mi700 ft gain
October through April

A 23-mile point-to-point backcountry hiking trail through the western unit of De Soto National Forest in Mississippi, crossing longleaf pine uplands and bottomland hardwood creek drainages.

3 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Big Foot Horse Trail open to hikers as well as equestrians?
Yes. Big Foot Horse Trail is a multi-use route open to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. Hikers should yield to horses when they encounter them on the trail, which is standard trail etiquette on shared routes. The wide track makes passing straightforward in most sections.
How long is the Big Foot Horse Trail if hiked as a day loop?
The full system covers 28 miles, but multiple shorter loops are possible within the system. Day hikers most commonly use the inner loop of approximately 8 to 12 miles, which can be completed in 4 to 6 hours. The outer sections add mileage for those seeking a longer day or an overnight route.
What is the longleaf pine restoration visible from the Big Foot trail?
The USFS has been replanting longleaf pine and conducting prescribed burns across thousands of acres of De Soto. From the trail, you can see areas in various stages of restoration: recently burned sections with blackened soil and grass understory, young longleaf stands with their distinctive grass-stage seedlings, and maturing stands with open savanna character. Interpretive signs at some points explain the restoration goals.