Noxubee Hills Outer Loop

The Noxubee Hills Outer Loop is generally considered a moderate mountain bike ride. While it's suitable for most skill levels, riders should expect a hilly environment with many challenging climbs and tight switchbacks, particularly on the singletrack sections. Good fitness is recommended, and some advanced parts might require pushing your bike.

The trail offers a diverse experience, featuring a mix of narrow singletrack, abandoned forest roads, and dirt or gravel roads closed to motorized vehicles. You'll ride through hardwood forests, following ridges and hills, with about a dozen creek crossings. Some crossings have bridges, while others have reinforced gravel bottoms.

The route is situated in a beautifully rugged and remote area of the Tombigbee National Forest, offering very pretty scenery through the forest. It's well-shaded and provides lakeside views, especially as it starts and finishes near Choctaw Lake. You'll also pass by the Lakeside Trail.

There are two primary trailheads. One is located at the Choctaw Lake National Recreation Area, which provides parking and restrooms. The other is near the Noxubee Hills Cemetery, offering parking and a chemical toilet.

Yes, if you start your ride from the Choctaw Lake Recreation Area trailhead, a $5 day-use fee is charged. No specific permits are mentioned for the trail itself beyond this day-use fee.

The trail system is open year-round, subject to weather conditions. However, it's important to be aware that during deer and turkey hunting seasons, cyclists are required to wear blaze orange clothing for safety. This suggests that spring and fall might be popular, but caution is needed during hunting seasons.

The provided information does not explicitly state whether dogs are allowed on the Noxubee Hills Outer Loop. It's best to check with the Tombigbee National Forest directly for their current pet policy.

The Noxubee Hills Outer Loop is approximately 23.8 miles (38.3 km) long. For mountain biking, it typically takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete, depending on your fitness level and how often you stop.

Yes, the Noxubee Hills Outer Loop is part of a larger 30 to 32-mile trail system. The route also passes through sections of the North Trail, Sheep Ranch Trail, Lost Cemetery Road Trail, Charlotte'S Web Trail, Beaver Lodge Trail, Splashing Dog Trail, Long Bridge Trail, Rockcrusher Road Trail, Rabbits Run Trail, Blue A Trail, Rock Crusher Road, Choctaw Lake Lakeside Trail, Log Jump Trail, Blue B Trail, Blue C Trail, Blue D Trail, Pigeon Roost Road, Powerline Trail, and Three Bridges Trail.

Yes, for your safety, especially during deer and turkey hunting seasons, cyclists are required to wear blaze orange clothing. Additionally, horses and ATVs are not permitted on these trails, ensuring a dedicated experience for mountain bikers and hikers.

While you can start from either the Choctaw Lake National Recreation Area or the Noxubee Hills Cemetery trailhead, starting at Choctaw Lake offers the convenience of restrooms and is where the $5 day-use fee is collected. The trail is well-marked with orange and yellow for the perimeter, making navigation straightforward regardless of your starting point.