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Holly Springs OHV Trail North

Holly Springs National Forest, Mississippi · 3 min read

Distance
8 mi
Elevation Gain
450 ft
Difficulty
moderate
Route Type
Loop
Best Season
October through April
Est. Time
4-5 hours
Dog Friendly
Yes
Kid Friendly
No
Difficulty Score
5 / 10

Trailhead Amenities

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

At a Glance

  • Primary OHV trail system in Holly Springs National Forest
  • Loess hill terrain with more topographic variety than southern Mississippi forests
  • Open to hikers and mountain bikers as well as OHV riders
  • 8-mile loop option from the main OHV camp trailhead
  • Good wildlife habitat in the forested ridge and valley sections
wildlife

Overview

Holly Springs OHV Trail North is the primary OHV trail system in Holly Springs National Forest, covering 8 miles of loess hill terrain in the northern unit of the forest. The trail is open to hikers and mountain bikers as well as licensed OHV riders, giving it a multi-use character common in Southeast national forests. The terrain is more varied than the lake loop trails: the loess hills create real climbs and descents, with ridge-top sections and creek-bottom crossings that add variety to the route.

No permit is required for hiking. OHV riders need a valid Mississippi OHV permit.

The Route

Miles 0 to 3: Ridge section. The trail climbs from the OHV camp through loess hill ridge terrain, with oak and hickory forest and open ridge views in winter. This section has the most sustained climbing of the loop, gaining most of the route's 450 feet of elevation.

Miles 3 to 6: Creek valley. The trail drops into a creek drainage with bottomland hardwood, then climbs back to the ridge. The creek section has the best wildlife habitat and the most diverse forest community.

Miles 6 to 8: Return. The final section returns to the OHV camp along a parallel ridge, completing the loop.

When to Hike

October through April: Most comfortable. Low insect pressure. OHV traffic tends to be lower on weekdays.

May through September: Hot and humid. Morning starts recommended. OHV use peaks on summer weekends.

What to Bring

Carry 1.5 liters of water; no water sources along the route. Trekking poles for the ridge descents. Bright colors or orange if hiking during hunting seasons.

Trailhead Access

The OHV camp trailhead is reached via forest access roads in the northern section of the forest, north of Holly Springs. The USFS ranger district can provide specific directions.

Nearby

The Tewasatha Ridge Trail is the best dedicated hiking ridge route in the forest. The Chewalla Lake Trail is the forest's most popular loop. Review the Leave No Trace seven principles and our checking conditions guide 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

Holly Springs OHV Camp trailhead off forest access road. Gravel lot. No fee. OHV camp facilities on-site.

← Back to Holly Springs National Forest

More Trails in Holly Springs National Forest

easyloop

Benton County Nature Trail

2.5 mi120 ft gain
March through May, October through November

A 2.5-mile easy nature trail in the northern unit of Holly Springs National Forest near the Tennessee border, exploring the loess hill forest near Ashland, Mississippi.

3 min read

easy-moderateloop

Chewalla Lake Trail

6.2 mi280 ft gain
March through May, September through November

A 6.2-mile easy-moderate loop around Chewalla Lake in Holly Springs National Forest, with consistent lake views, birding opportunities, and access to one of northern Mississippi's finest recreation lakes.

3 min read

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Hickory Flats Loop

5 mi380 ft gain
March through May, September through November

A 5-mile moderate loop through mixed oak-hickory ridge terrain in Holly Springs National Forest, crossing the rolling loess hills of northern Mississippi.

3 min read

easyout-and-back

Marshall County Forest Walk

3 mi120 ft gain
Year-round

A 3-mile easy out-and-back introductory walk through the main unit of Holly Springs National Forest in Marshall County, Mississippi, through mixed hardwood and pine forest.

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Puskus Lake Nature Trail

2 mi80 ft gain
March through May, September through November

A 2-mile easy loop around Puskus Lake in Holly Springs National Forest, exploring mixed hardwood forest with lake views and good wildlife in a quiet family-friendly setting.

3 min read

moderateout-and-back

Tewasatha Ridge Trail

5.5 mi500 ft gain
March through May, September through November

A 5.5-mile moderate out-and-back hiking trail along the Tewasatha Ridge in Holly Springs National Forest, crossing the most varied loess hill terrain in northern Mississippi's national forests.

3 min read

moderateout-and-back

Vance Creek Trail

4.5 mi200 ft gain
March through May, September through November

A 4.5-mile moderate out-and-back trail following Vance Creek through bottomland hardwood in Holly Springs National Forest, with spring wildflowers and good wildlife habitat.

3 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Holly Springs OHV Trail North open to hikers?
Yes. The trail is a multi-use route open to hikers, mountain bikers, and licensed OHV riders. Hikers should be aware of OHV traffic, particularly on weekend afternoons when OHV use is highest. Weekday mornings offer the quietest hiking conditions on this route.
What kind of OHV is allowed on this trail?
Licensed off-highway vehicles (ATVs and UTVs) with a valid Mississippi OHV permit are allowed on designated OHV routes in Holly Springs National Forest. OHV use is restricted to designated trails. Check the USFS Holly Springs Ranger District for current permitted routes and any seasonal closures.
How difficult is the trail for hikers?
The 8-mile loop with 450 feet of elevation gain is moderate for hikers comfortable with a half-day outing. The loess hill terrain creates real climbs and descents, unlike the flat terrain of Holly Springs' lake trails. Allow 4 to 5 hours for the full loop.