Little River Canyon National Preserve | WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

River crossing in the Backcountry of Little River Canyon National Preserve

River crossing in the Backcountry of Little River Canyon National Preserve

The National Park Service Wildlife Management Area Road Map is not accurate. I have included a map that corrects one mistake. To access Road 9 and 8 from Hwy 476, the original map makes it look like 476 becomes Road 9 and that Road 8 simply ends at the park boundary. This is not the case. Hwy 476 turns to dirt and actually becomes Road 8. Road 9 is a turn-off from the dirt road portion of 476. Road 9 is the first left hand turn you come to. Stay straight to get to Road 8. Thus, you could take Road 9 to Road 5, go south, pick up Road 8 or 7, head north and make a loop back to 476.

Road 5 is closed from Hartline Ford to Road 8 due to massive sinkhole that has gotten progressively worse. To get to around this closing, use roads 7, 8, and 9.

Little River Canyon National Preserve Backcountry Map (click to enlarge)

Little River Canyon National Preserve Backcountry Map (click to enlarge)


The northern section of the Little River Canyon National Preserve is known as the Wildlife Management Area (aka the Backcountry). This is the area above the falls that abuts to DeSoto State Park. Activities in this area include Hunting and Fishing, Kayaking and Canoeing, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, and hiking on the two backcountry trails, the Desoto Scout Trail and the YCC Loop Trail. This area of the park caters more to the “Outdoorsman,” whereas the Canyon Area caters to the “Extreme Sportsman.”

The Wildlife Management Area can only be accessed via rough and rutted dirt roads that require a high clearance vehicle. You will have to cross creeks, plow through mud puddles (assuming it has been raining), and clear rutted roads. By “rutted,” I am referring to roads that vehicle tires have worn paths into the road, leaving the center section much higher. A standard passenger car may hit or get hung up on this elevated center section of the road. Unless it has been raining and the roads are very muddy, 4-Wheel Drive is not needed on most of the roads. I toured all of the backcountry roads and never used 4WD (which I do have on my vehicle).

For those wanting to visit the backcountry, but who do not have a high clearance vehicle, the upper portions of Roads 7 and 8 are flat and in decent condition. I saw a couple of passenger cars parked on these roads. You need to enter the backcountry on Howell Road or Country Road 476 / Oak Hill Road. At a certain point both roads will head steeply downhill. I don’t suggest going farther. In dry times you can probably get your passenger car back up the hill, but I don’t see that happening when the roads are muddy. Stay clear of Road 5 and the other roads on the west side of the Little River. Also, Roads 1 and 2 on the east side of the river are not that bad.

Rutted dirt roads in the Backcountry of Little River Canyon National Preserve

Rutted dirt roads in the backcountry of Little River Canyon National Preserve

Typical Backcountry road at Little River Canyon National Preserve

Typical backcountry road at Little River Canyon National Preserve

The Little River splits the Wildlife Management Area into an east and west section. During the summer when the river is low, you can actually drive from one section to the other by crossing the river at Billy’s Ford or Hartline Ford. I was not able to do this during my trip in December.

The Little River in the backcountry during the rainy season--impossible to cross by vehicle, Little River Canyon National Preserve

The Little River in the backcountry of Little River Canyon National Preserve during the rainy season–impossible to cross by vehicle

For those just looking to drive around in their 4-Wheel Drive vehicles, with the exception of Road 6, the roads offer a few minor thrills such as creek crossings, but they are not roads sought after by “4 Wheelers.” Furthermore, there is not much in the way of scenery, as you are just driving through the forest.

Road 6 is no longer shown on the backcountry maps, but it is on the map I have provided at the top of this page. The actual road is no longer marked by any signage, probably because this is a true 4WD road and the park doesn’t want people on it (however, as of this writing, they have not blocked it off). It may not be bad at all during the dry season, but after it has been raining, large portions of the road are flooded. There are also rock terraces that must be negotiated. I’ve done my share of “4 Wheelin” and don’t mind rocks, as I know what I can clear, but murky mud holes with unknown bottoms is another story. I encountered three mud holes on this road. I was able to drive around the first two by venturing slightly into the woods, but the last was unavoidable, and this is where my trip ended. I don’t have the means, time, or money to get unstuck. It was fun while it lasted.

Rock terraces on Road 6 of the backcountry in Little River Canyon National Preserve

Rock terraces on Road 6 of the backcountry in Little River Canyon National Preserve

View of rock terraces on Road 6 in the backcountry of Little River Canyon National Preserve from the opposite point of view

View of rock terraces on Road 6 in the backcountry of Little River Canyon National Preserve from the opposite point of view

Mud hole on Road 6 in the backcountry of Little River Canyon National Preserve

Mud hole on Road 6 in the backcountry of Little River Canyon National Preserve

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Last updated on April 30, 2023
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