RATS ATV & Off‑Road Park — Ouachita Basin Mud Corridor

The  First Run

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The Dirt: Why We Rip Here

The dirt out here can’t make up its mind. Up north, you’ve got silt that’ll suck your boots clean off if you step wrong—real stick-to-your-ribs kind of mud. Down south, it’s all hardpack and high ground, perfect for letting the throttle breathe and weaving through the pines. Whether you want to slog through powerlines or snake your way through the woods, RATS gives you both flavors.

This place sprawls out over nearly 1,900 acres, with trails twisting and turning like a plate of grandma’s spaghetti. You can ride all day and never see the same mud hole twice, even when a thousand rigs show up for a big weekend. There’s room for everybody to get lost and muddy.

You’ll see all kinds of rigs out here, but the big dogs are those snorkeled SxSs built for water so deep you might need a paddle. Quads and dirt bikes still rule the tight woods, but every machine’s got its own playground. Out here, you run what you brung and let the mud sort it out.

Nobody’s born a mud boss, but RATS will teach you quick. You start out easy on the gravel, then before you know it, you’re eyeballing bounty pits and water crossings that look like they belong in a horror movie. Arkansas silt has a way of humbling even the cockiest throttle jockey.

Every season brings a new attitude. Spring rains? That clay turns into peanut butter and tries to eat your radiator for lunch. Come summer, the ridges bake hard and fast, kicking up dust like a stampede. You’ll never have the same ride twice—promise.

The real trouble out here doesn’t come from man-made obstacles—it’s the land itself. Hidden stumps, ruts deep enough to swallow a tire, and water holes that’ll surprise you every time. If you show up without recovery gear, you’re just asking to be the day’s entertainment.

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Basecamp: Facilities & Camping

First stop: the Welcome Center. That’s where you sign your life away, grab a map, and swap stories with whoever’s already muddy. They’ll get you sorted before you dive into the basin.

Camping here is old-school—over a hundred spots tucked back in the woods, far from the road and close to the action. Bring what you need and plan to stay awhile, because once you settle in, you won’t want to leave.

If you’re rolling in with a toy hauler and need a plug, better call ahead—those electric RV spots go faster than a SxS in low gear during event weekends.

After a day of wrestling with Ouachita mud, nothing hits like a hot shower. The bathhouses are free, and trust me, you’ll need them after all that deep-water riding.

Potable water is available at a central tap, though campers must haul it to their sites. No individual hookups exist for primitive or electric zones.

Night rides are fair game if your lights work, and let me tell you, the woods get a whole new attitude after dark. Just remember, quiet hours start at midnight so families can catch some shut-eye.

On big weekends, food vendors roll in with enough grub to keep you fueled up. Just keep it slow—5 MPH in the vendor zone—so nobody spills their sweet tea.

Leave the drones at home—Camden’s airport is too close for comfort, so all your wild rides will have to be filmed the old-fashioned way.

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The Damage

Day passes are $25 a head, and that gets you into every trail, mud hole, and ridge the park’s got. Doesn’t matter if you’re here for the silt or the high ground—you’re covered.

Want to make a weekend of it? That’s $50, and you can ride till you run out of daylight or stories—no need to check back in at the gate.

Primitive RV camping runs $40 for the weekend—perfect if you don’t need to plug in and just want to park it and play.

Need juice? Electric RV spots are $85 for the weekend, and you’re set for the whole stay.

Tent camping’s just $10 for the whole weekend—can’t beat that if you’re packing light and chasing mud.

Kids under 10? They ride free, so bring the whole crew.

If you’ve got young’uns, minor waivers need a $10 notary fee, and everybody’s got to show ID before hitting the trails.Or if you belong to a local credit union get them notarized for free before you head out.

Bring cash or a card—no checks at the gate, y’all.

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THE TECHNICALS

When the sun drops, headlights better be on or you’re parked for the night. It’s the only way to keep everyone safe in those dark timber trails.

Speed limits change depending on where you are—15 MPH on the main roads and campgrounds, but slow it down to 5 MPH near the vendors. Staff keeps an eye out, especially when the place is hopping.

Once you sign your waiver, it’s good for a year, but don’t forget your photo ID every time you roll in. Makes getting in quick and easy.

Quiet hours are midnight to 7 AM—engines off, music down, and let your neighbors catch some sleep. Gotta keep the long-haulers happy.

Stay inside the lines—cross onto private land or county roads and you’re out, no questions asked. The park’s got a history, and they don’t mess around with boundaries.

Leave the big trucks and Jeeps at home—these trails are built for ATVs, SxSs, and dirt bikes. Anything heavier just tears up the land.

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Final Throttle

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The Specs

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