**This blog is part of a new (work in progress) series of posts intended to provide BCOS members (and anyone else who is interested) access to detailed information on local hiking and paddling trails.
Bodcau Wildlife Management Area is located approximately 17 miles northeast of Bossier City. The area amenities include fishing/boating (on Bayou Bodcau), camping (Tom Merrill Campground), hunting, and trails (Durden Hills Trails) for hiking and biking. There are trails on the UPSTREAM side of Bodcau Dam (Red + Yellow loops) and on the DOWNSTREAM side of the dam (Orange loop). Detailed information about these trails is below:
Durden Hills Trails (Bodcau WMA) - RED + YELLOW (upstream) Loop
Trail type: HIKING - LOOP
Trail length: Approx 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 250-300 ft
Description: Easy to Moderate Difficulty; several hills to ascend (these upstream Bodcau trails are a little more challenging than the downstream Orange Loop); typically does not require water crossing; trail is well maintained; BEAUTIFUL views of hardwood forests and Bodcau Bayou; WATCH OUT FOR cyclists (these trails used by mountain bikers) and be prepared to step off trail/yield to cyclists!
Parking/other instructions: There is a parking area (and iron ranger check-in station) at the TOP of the Bodcau Dam where you turn on the road to the Tom Merrill campground; No cost but need to check-in either using the paper forms at the iron ranger station or on your phone using the LDWF app. All of the Durden Hills trails can be accessed from this parking lot.
Cost: No cost (but be sure to check-in at the iron ranger station or using the LDWF app)
Restrooms/Facilities: there are restrooms DOWN the hill from this parking area in the Tom Merrill campgrounds (both on the upstream side of the dam and the downstream side of the dam) that are typically very clean/nice; there is a large/nice picnic area in the campground area at the spillway (downstream side of the dam)
Google Map for Trailhead Location: https://goo.gl/maps/MFXyjCXjBjsNsHPB9
All Trails App Link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/bodcau-red-yellow-trails-e93f31b?u=i
TrailForks App Link: (work in progress)
Gaia App Link: https://www.gaiagps.com/public/3prFOht3bva0YXhkTQoPamg8
GPX File (can be downloaded into any GPS app): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mx_UMOXQjGT3F8EcJn1j07Q1swJLso3o/view?usp=sharing
Other Resources (pdf/paper maps, etc): https://drive.google.com/file/d/16wyXrOZyDH8ub-6gklDf9YY2ZWUfb5wS/view?usp=sharing
2. Durden Hills Trails (Bodcau WMA) - ORANGE (downstream) Loop (*entering/exiting loop from the campground parking lot at the main trailhead/BOTTOM of the hill)
Trail type: HIKING-LOOP
Trail length: Approx 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 100-150 ft
Description: Fairly Easy; a few hills to ascend but these downstream Bodcau trails are a little easier than the upstream Red/Yellow Loop); typically does not require water crossing; trail is well maintained; BEAUTIFUL views of hardwood forests and Bodcau Bayou; WATCH OUT FOR cyclists (these trails used by mountain bikers) and be prepared to step off trail/yield to cyclists!
Parking/other instructions: To enter/exit the trail loop (at the main campground trailhead) you can park at the BOTTOM of the hill (turn onto the road leading to the Tom Merrill campground/spillway and park at the trailhead); No cost but need to check-in either using the paper forms at the iron ranger station or on your phone using the LDWF app.
Cost: No cost (but be sure to check-in at the iron ranger station or using the LDWF app)
Restrooms/Facilities: there are restrooms in the campground area you're parking beside that are typically very clean/nice; there is a large/nice picnic area in the campground area as well
Google Map for Trailhead Location: https://goo.gl/maps/MFXyjCXjBjsNsHPB9
All Trails App Link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/durden-hills-bodcau-orange-loop-0afa92f?u=i
TrailForks App Link: https://www.trailforks.com/ridelog/view/34026461/
Gaia App Link:https://www.gaiagps.com/public/e7tjzcSSsBXliOrU5kakh89p
GPX File (can be downloaded into any GPS app): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xhnubt7HYWPpumx_hMPW23nSYFcoBBr5/view?usp=sharing
Other Resources (pdf/paper maps, etc): https://drive.google.com/file/d/16wyXrOZyDH8ub-6gklDf9YY2ZWUfb5wS/view?usp=sharing
3. Durden Hills Trails (Bodcau WMA) - ORANGE (downstream) Loop (*entering/exiting loop from the parking lot at the iron ranger station/TOP of the hill)
Trail type: HIKING-LOOP
Trail length: Approx 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 100-150 ft
Description: Fairly Easy; a few hills to ascend but these downstream Bodcau trails are a little easier than the upstream Red/Yellow Loop); typically does not require water crossing; trail is well maintained; BEAUTIFUL views of hardwood forests and Bodcau Bayou; WATCH OUT FOR cyclists (these trails used by mountain bikers) and be prepared to step off trail/yield to cyclists!
Parking/other instructions: To enter/exit the trail loop (at the main campground trailhead) you can park at the BOTTOM of the hill (turn onto the road leading to the Tom Merrill campground/spillway and park at the trailhead); No cost but need to check-in either using the paper forms at the iron ranger station or on your phone using the LDWF app.
Cost: No cost (but be sure to check-in at the iron ranger station or using the LDWF app)
Restrooms/Facilities: there are restrooms DOWN the hill from this parking area in the Tom Merrill campgrounds (both on the upstream side of the dam and the downstream side of the dam) that are typically very clean/nice; there is a large/nice picnic area in the campground area at the spillway (downstream side of the dam)
Google Map for Trailhead Location: https://goo.gl/maps/MFXyjCXjBjsNsHPB9
All Trails App Link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-ce064f3--213?u=i
TrailForks App Link: https://www.trailforks.com/ridelog/view/35339218/
Gaia App Link: https://www.gaiagps.com/public/ll2hHTJtImr8gz5jzNxFNQW4
GPX File (can be downloaded into any GPS app): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kIy18gndNJ9O6XEeXfik5MmgfDdaR2IW/view?usp=sharing
Other Resources (pdf/paper maps, etc): https://drive.google.com/file/d/16wyXrOZyDH8ub-6gklDf9YY2ZWUfb5wS/view?usp=sharing