Marengo Swamp Ride Survival Tips

The Marengo Swamp ride covers 17 miles in a 50,856 acre wildlife management area(WMA). It is an incredible ride that is fun and for a great cause. All riders should understand that this ride is in a swamp and this ride is a loop except for the 1st mile. There is only one-way in and one-way out. It can be a very bad experience if you do not prepare for it. The ride can be as easy or as hard as you want to make it. The main trail will be nearly impossible at times. You just have to pick the go-arounds you want and go left or right of the really bad stuff. Most folks that like to play in the mud - jump right into the first mud hole they come to... I would recommend you not do that. Pace yourself because there are 14 miles of nothing but mud. Don't wear yourself out to start with. It is a hard ride and you will be tired before the end. I don't know how your ATV's are set up, but you can easily stick a lifted ATV running 31" outlaws here - over and over.

Pre-register your ATV. The lines will be long at the gate. The line begins well before dawn. The more people that preregister the quicker the line flows. The registered ATV's will be put into a fast moving line and the unregistered ATV's will be placed in a line where everyone fills out the same registration forms available here and pays $20 to enter. The last thing you want to do is stop and fill out paperwork when you could be riding. You need one pre-registration ($15) per 4-wheeler. Attach the preregistration tag to your ATV in a visible spot(handlebars) with a small zip tie AFTER YOU UNLOAD YOUR ATV and before you try to enter the gate. The tags have been known to blow off ATV's while being hauled down the interstate.
Hunting/Fishing License or Stamp is required. If you do not have a valid Louisiana hunting or fishing license AND are between the ages of 16 and 60, you will need to get the one-day "Wild Louisiana Stamp" and DO NOT FORGET IT. You will be turned around and sent back. You cannot get this at the ride. The one day stamp is $4.50 online at http://www.wlf.state.la.us/licenses/wildlastamp/ . You can call ahead for your one day "Wild LA Stamp", the number is 1-888-765-2602 and have your credit card ready ask for a one day Wild Louisiana stamp for BOEUF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA. (Tell the operator how much it costs and that will help them find it). If you reside in louisiana the one day wild louisiana stamp can be purchased at a louisiana Wal-mart for $2.00!! Make sure the one day wild louisiana stamp is for June 7, 2008. Every person age 16 to 60 must have this to enter the ride area.
FILL your quads with gas. It is wise to bring an extra gallon or two if you intend to play much. If the conditions are very wet everyone should bring extra gas. In 2004 and 2007 gas was a huge issue.
Put at least 5 or 6 psi in your tires. A very common problem at Marengo is tires coming off rims. The gumbo is the slickest stuff I have ever seen when wet. And it sticks to everything.
Go to wal-mart and buy a 1 to 2 gallon garden sprayer - fill it with water and strap it to your quad. This will allow you to clean your face and hands during the ride - if any of your quads are liquid cooled, it gives you a way to clean the radiator. If you have to work on your quad, it can help clean the mud off.
Bring a trash bag or some way to carry your trash back out of the swamp. DO NOT LITTER!!
Put everything in Ziplocs. Bring extra gallon size zip locks for the t-shirts they sell at the start of the ride (they tend to sell out before the end of the ride). Bring some wet ones or hand towels to dry your hands and wipe things off.
Try to get there early (by 7 or 7:30)- there will be huge lines. We recommend going past the entrance to the ride and park at the end of the paved road on the left, but you can park wherever you want and ride your ATV to the gate. If you are on the trail by 8 and it usually takes till 3:30 or 4:00 to finish the ride ON DRY YEARS. On wet years lots of people are still trying to get out of the swamp well after midnight. This is where the extra gasoline, extra water and food is needed.
Bring lots of water to drink(at least 6 bottles per person) - Marengo is generally VERY hot and muggy and I have seen folks get heat stroke. Water or gatorade is good to have. Cokes are not enough. The more seasoned riders freeze half of their water bottles instead of using ice. The ice will be melted and ready to drink by the end of the ride.
You should bring enough food for at least one meal in the swamp. Bring at least 4 Snickers, nutri-grain, etc., that can stand mud and water immersion. Store all food in ziplock bags. They always have drinks and burgers at the end of the ride, so bring a few $$$ if you want one.
Mosquito repellant is a must.
Somebody bring a small first aid kit, snake bit kit, you are a long way in a swamp.
Always be aware of your mile marker. It is very difficult to find abandoned bikes and injured riders if you do not know where they are located. Cell phones will not work except in a FEW isolated spots.
Get club shirts so you can recognize each other (do not use white - use bright colors). There were over 3500+ 4 wheelers there last year and all of us were going through an area less than 100 yards wide - you will probably get separated from your group sooner or later. Expect it to happen. It is a good idea to stop every mile or so and meet back up with your group.
Large groups should also carry walkie-talkie radios to help keep in contact and to get help to each other if we need it.
Bring an extra spark plug for your ATV
Bring an extra quart of oil for your ATV.
Bring some basic tools for the ATV's.
Bring towropes. It just might be you that needs the tow!
Tire plug kit!!!!!! Or 2 or 3 or 4. . .
If anyone has a small air compressor or flat fix kit - bring them - a tire off the rim 8 miles from the parking lot is not a lot of fun. CO2 canisters work great! A ratchet strap can help put a tire back on the rim with an air compressor or CO2 canister!!!
Secure ALL ice chests with ratchet straps. They hold better than bungee cords or tie down straps.
Plan on stopping at suicide hole for a little while - it is fun to watch... for that matter - the whole ride is fun to watch.
Some seasoned riders bring a cheap dust mask and goggles for the ride out. There is a gravel road several miles long that is very dusty at the end of the day and it is miserable to ride out without the mask and goggles.
Wear hats - this mud contracts when it dries and will pull hairs like you would not believe (arms and legs too).
Most folks stop for their official Marengo t-shirt at the beginning of the ride. Take a gallon size zip lock bag to store your t-shirt.
Do not under any circumstances bring alcohol or a firearm. This is a "go to jail immediately" thing.
Bring waterproof disposable cameras.
Most folks are very helpful during the ride. There are rangers and paramedics at various places along the ride as well.
After the ride it is nice to have extra cloths and garbage bags to store your riding clothes.
There is a wash off spot in the bayou at one point during the ride and at the end of the ride. You can't take your quad into the water at the end of the ride, but you can take your quad seat to wash it off.
Please Note that the latest Starting time is 2:00PM.

We appreciate your assistance in helping disabled vehicles be removed from the swamp before dark. It is extremely difficult and dangerous to travel at night.

Preregistration Rules and Regulations Survival Tips