Paying the $5 Day Fee at a Forest Trail

A forest trail fee can be easy to misunderstand: the charge may apply to each rider, not to the vehicle or parking spot, and camping may cost extra. Here’s how the $5 day fee works at Kisatchie National Forest, what to check before you tow, and which trail rules and closures could affect your plans.

What the $5 day fee covers

The Forest Service lists a $5 daily use fee for each off-highway vehicle operator, horse rider, and cyclist on the Claiborne Multiple-Use Trail System. That means the fee is associated with each person taking part in those activities—not simply with bringing a vehicle to the trailhead. The listed rate is as of November 2026, so confirm the current charge before setting out.

Parking at the trailheads is free, according to the Forest Service. The parking arrangement and the activity fee are separate: free parking does not mean that riding is free. Likewise, the day fee is not the same thing as Louisiana OHV registration. The Forest Service says Louisiana requires OHV registration, so plan to meet that requirement as well as any applicable trail fee.

A useful way to think about the costs is to separate them by what they cover:

Cost or requirement	What it applies to	What to check
Daily use fee	Each OHV operator, horse rider, and cyclist on Claiborne	Confirm the current fee and payment instructions
Trailhead parking	Parking at the trailheads	Parking is listed as free by the Forest Service
Loran Campground camping	Each camp unit per night	Confirm availability and current campground details
Louisiana OHV registration	The off-highway vehicle	Check that the machine meets registration requirements
Forest trail rules	The vehicle and its use on forest land	Check width, spark-arrester, sound, and lighting requirements

The Forest Service lists camping at Loran Campground at $10 per camp unit per night. That is separate from the daily trail fee, so include both in your plans if you intend to camp. The rate and availability may change; confirm the current details with the Forest Service before traveling.

The available facts do not specify how or where to pay, whether payment is accepted at a trailhead, or which payment methods are available. Don’t assume you can pay by cash, card, phone, or in advance. Check with the managing ranger district or the official trail information before leaving home. For a broader comparison of forest charges, see Louisiana Daily vs Annual Forest Fees and Which Kisatchie Trails Charge a Use Fee.

The per-person wording also matters when you’re traveling as a group. Don’t assume one payment covers everyone in a party, or that an adult operator’s fee automatically covers a passenger. The Forest Service identifies a fee for each OHV operator, horse rider, and cyclist; ask the district how it handles passengers and any activity not clearly described in the fee information.

Choose a trail that is open for your visit

Kisatchie National Forest has four designated multiple-use trails that include OHV riding: Claiborne, Sandstone, Livingston, and Enduro. Their openings are not interchangeable. A forest-wide statement that trails are available does not tell you whether the specific system you want is open, or whether a closure affects your route.

The Forest Service lists the Claiborne Multiple-Use Trail System as open throughout the year, with closures possible for special events and excessive rainfall. The trail system has more than 70 miles of trails, and its main staging area is the Loran Campground and Day-Use area. For planning background, see Kisatchie National Forest OHV Trails in Louisiana and Louisiana Forest Trail Use Passes.

Other systems may have different access conditions. The Forest Service lists the Enduro Multiple-Use Trail System as closed due to hurricane damage. It describes the Livingston system as partially open, and identifies the Hickman Loop as the only OHV trail currently open on the Catahoula Ranger District. These conditions can change, so verify the specific trail and route rather than relying on an old map or an earlier trip report.

Sandstone has a seasonal motor-vehicle closure. According to the Forest Service, OHVs may use the Sandstone Trail from May 1 through December 31; the trail closes from January 2 through April. Sandstone is a 36-mile trail through the Kisatchie Hills, but its length does not override the operating season. Before planning a visit, check Sandstone’s Winter Closure in Louisiana and confirm that the trail is open on your intended day.

The Forest Service says visitors can call the OHV Hotline 24 hours a day to confirm trail status. Use it close to departure, especially after heavy rain, a storm, or a notice of trail damage. A trail may be open in general but temporarily closed for a special event or conditions on the ground. When you confirm the status, ask about the exact system, staging area, fee, and any temporary restrictions relevant to your vehicle.

Day-use timing is another part of checking access. The Forest Service lists day-use hours as 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. or daylight to dark. Confirm how that rule applies to the site you plan to use, and leave enough time to finish riding and return to the staging area within the permitted window. Camping does not automatically mean that riding is allowed at any hour.

Check your machine and documents before loading

A paid day fee does not make a machine eligible for every Kisatchie trail. The Forest Service says no vehicle may exceed an overall width of 50 inches. Measure the machine as it will be used, including any parts that affect its overall width, and confirm that the measurement meets the trail rule. This is especially important if you ride a side-by-side: a machine that is too wide should not be taken to a trail that prohibits it.

The Forest Service also requires a Forest Service-approved spark arrester year-round on Kisatchie National Forest lands. It says sound must be muffled to 99 decibels or less. Check the machine and its exhaust equipment before the trip; trail access and a paid fee do not waive those requirements. If you are unsure whether the installed equipment qualifies, ask the Forest Service rather than relying on a seller’s description.

Headlights and taillights must be in working order, and the Forest Service says they must be used during times of limited visibility. Check both before departure, even if you expect to ride in daylight. A quick inspection can reveal a broken lamp or other issue before you reach the trailhead.

The Forest Service says Louisiana requires OHV registration. Carry the documents needed to show that the vehicle meets applicable requirements, and confirm what proof the trail manager expects riders to have with them. The trail fee and state registration are separate matters; paying one does not replace the other. For additional preparation, see Louisiana Proof of Ownership on the Trail.

Do not plan to ride off the marked or designated route. The Forest Service prohibits cross-country travel by motorized vehicles, including OHVs, year-round. A visible path or an open-looking patch of forest is not a substitute for an authorized trail. If a route is not clearly part of the designated system, stop and check the map or ask staff before proceeding.

A short pre-trip checklist can prevent a wasted tow:

• Confirm the trail system is open and the planned route is available.
• Check the daily fee, who must pay, and how payment is handled.
• Verify that the machine meets the 50-inch maximum-width rule.
• Check for a Forest Service-approved spark arrester and a properly muffled exhaust.
• Test the headlights and taillights.
• Confirm Louisiana OHV registration and carry the relevant documents.
• Review the day-use hours and any temporary closures.
• If camping, confirm the campground details and separate camping charge.

For route planning, use information specific to the trail system rather than assuming every Kisatchie trail follows the same rules. The Claiborne system is managed by the Calcasieu Ranger District, while the Hickman Loop is on the Catahoula Ranger District. The right contact and current status depend on where you intend to ride. Checking a Trail Status Page First can help you build this check into your trip planning.

Keep the trail fee separate from other trip costs

Budget for the day fee, any camping, and your travel costs as distinct items. At Claiborne, the listed $5 daily charge applies to each OHV operator, horse rider, and cyclist, while trailhead parking is free. Loran camping is listed separately at $10 per camp unit per night. Do not combine those into a single assumed vehicle charge.

If your group includes riders with different activities, ask how each person is classified for payment. The Forest Service lists the fee for OHV operators, horse riders, and cyclists, but the provided fee information does not explain every possible visitor category. Clarify the treatment of passengers, people who are not riding, or anyone joining the group for only part of the day.

If you are going to a trail other than Claiborne, check that system’s details directly. The Forest Service says the Hickman Trail has a daily use fee for operators, but the available information does not state a separate amount for that site. Avoid assuming that every site uses an identical collection process or that a fee listed for one trail automatically applies elsewhere. Louisiana Trail Closures and Seasons is also useful when your plans depend on seasonal access.

A simple sequence makes the planning less confusing:

1. Pick the trail system and confirm it is open.
2. Check the fee and payment instructions for that specific site.
3. Verify the machine, equipment, and registration requirements.
4. Add any separate camping charge if you are staying overnight.
5. Recheck status and access information before towing.

If the fee amount or payment process is unclear, get confirmation before the trip rather than relying on an old receipt, a forum post, or another rider’s recollection. Trail fees, closures, and access details can change. The Forest Service’s OHV Hotline is available 24 hours a day for trail-status confirmation; ask the managing district about payment and other site-specific questions.

The main takeaway is straightforward: treat the $5 charge as a per-person daily use fee for the activities the Forest Service lists, not as a parking fee or a substitute for vehicle registration. Confirm the open trail, current payment instructions, and machine requirements before you head out. That way, you can budget accurately and avoid reaching a closed trail or discovering that your machine does not meet the access rules.

Sources

• Louisiana State Legislature — Louisiana Laws – Louisiana State Legislature (checked November 3, 2026)
• Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals — 2008-2010ChildDeathReviewReport.pdf (checked November 3, 2026)
• Forest Service — Kisatchie National Forest | Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Status | Forest Service (checked November 3, 2026)
• Forest Service — Kisatchie National Forest | Claiborne Multiple-Use Trails | Forest Service (checked November 3, 2026)
• Forest Service — Kisatchie National Forest | Enduro Trail | Forest Service (checked November 3, 2026)
• Forest Service — Kisatchie National Forest | Hickman Trailhead (Trail) | Forest Service (checked November 3, 2026)
• Forest Service — Kisatchie National Forest | Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) | Forest Service (checked November 3, 2026)

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.