The Louisiana Hiking Club

TRAIL INFORMATION
Ethel Vance Natural Area

Trail Notes:

This combination hiking/biking trail covers a varied topography of steep hills and hardwood bottoms. Total trail mileage is about 10 miles. Most sections are an easy walk, remaining dry thorough most of the year. Portions of the trail cross wide sloughs that are crossed by wooden bridges. Other portions however do traverse beautiful hardwood bottoms, which can become water obstacles after a hard rain.

Another part of the trail, that parallels the Amite River, has beautiful scenery along some stunning low bluffs. Another section has a beautiful stand of cypress trees and a typical swamp type environment. This is a great photography site. A beaver pond with a boardwalk-viewing platform is a nice side venture and a good rest or lunch spot. During the springtime, the wild plants are a special treat as the area becomes very colorful. Fall hikes are also very nice.

User Groups:

hiking, mountain biking

Permits:

No day use permits are required

Directions:

The scenic 288-acre Ethel Vance Natural Area is just west of Liberty, MS off Highway 24.

From New Orleans: Take I-10 west to I-55. After crossing the state line, take exit No. 1 onto Miss Hwy 584. Go west toward Liberty. At Liberty, take Hwy 24 west and drive just under 2 ½ miles to the entrance. A large sign on the left side of the roadway denotes the entrance to Ethel Vance. Drive south on the entrance gravel road for a few hundred yards and look for the mailbox and trailhead on the right.

From Baton Rouge: Take Hwy 67 (Plank Road) north thorough Clinton into Mississippi. The highway number changes to Miss Hwy 569 at the state line. Turn right at the Hwy 48/569 junction. Turn left (west) onto Hwy 24 in Liberty and drive just under 2 ½ miles to the entrance of Ethel Vance. A large sign on the left side of the roadway denotes the entrance to Ethel Vance. Drive south on the entrance gravel road for a few hundred yards and look for the mailbox and trailhead on the right.

Maps:

A rough sketch of the trail is available from a mailbox located at the trailhead

Current Weather & 10 Day Forecast:



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