Outdoor Activities in Tunica Hills
Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area is a large diverse area perfect for outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, wildlife viewing and hunting.
The simplicity and glory of the natural world is right outside New Orleans and Baton Rouge. When you want to get away into the peaceful quiet only nature can offer head to the Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area, a unique outdoor wonderland of untouched land, dirt trails, diverse wildlife and opportunities to hike, hunt and enjoy a day in the wild woodlands of Louisiana.
Tunica Hills Activities
Tunica Hills is a large area of over 5,906 acres and offers an extraordinary refuge for outdoorsy folks who love hiking, sightseeing, bird watching, wildlife viewing and camping. The area has unique topography of rolling hills and a wide variety of animal inhabitants—some not found anywhere else in Louisiana. During fall, the vast upland hardwood forests explode in color and are perfect for viewing the changing colors. Stroll on the nature trail with the family or try any of the three different hiking trails to view the scenery. A variety of wildlife calls this area home, including white-tailed deer, squirrel, rabbit, wild turkey, eastern chipmunks and resident and migratory birds, including several rare in Louisiana, such as the worm-eating warbler and the Coopers hawk.
Hunting in Tunica Hills
Tunica Hills is a hunter’s paradise! Deer hunters love the area, which also features unique opportunities for small game and turkey hunting. Activities like hunting and trapping still reign supreme across stretches of Louisiana where families continue long held traditions of bringing home food for the table. Deer, turkey and small game hunting seasons are limited, and licenses are required. Visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries for more information.
Things to Know Before You Go
- You’ll find a nature trail with designated hiking trails accessible from Old Tunica Trace on the South Tract, but don’t expect overdeveloped trails. Check out this Tunica Hills map for boundaries, designated camping areas, self-clearing permit stations and trail locations. You can only camp at the designated camping area on Parker Road, and only tent-only camping is permitted.
- To visit a Louisiana Wildlife Management Area, all visitors must have a permit to access the property. This includes a WMA access permit, senior hunting/fishing license, Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise license or lifetime hunting/fishing license. These free access permits can be obtained at self-clearing permit stations throughout the WMA, via the Check-In/Check-Out app or Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) web portal. These permits do not convey hunting or fishing privileges — those licenses must be purchased separately on the LDWF website, at the LDWF headquarters in Baton Rouge or at one of many local retailers.
- While Tunica Hills is open year-round, WMA access is restricted during certain dates in the hunting season, so visitors should refer to the WMA guidelines for information and season dates.
Sara Hudson is a Louisiana-based freelance writer and author for New Orleans & Company.
