Looking for a great trail in Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas? The Ouachita Mountains stretch for about 160 miles northwest from Little Rock into Oklahoma. Visit a Quapaw Bath House for a massage and hot bath in natural springs. The southern section of the forest lies along the Arkansas River Valley south to the Ouachita Mountains, and there are several Arkansas State Scenic Byways as you're passing through. The Forest offers high quality nature-related sightseeing and scenic driving as well as hunting, fishing and dispersed camping. This is a multiple use, working forest with managed wood and timber harvesting, wilderness management, minerals leasing and spectacular recreation. A 300,000-acre section of the Ouachita National Forest in the southeastern corner of Oklahoma features the pine and hardwood covered ridges of the Ouachita Mountains. Gateway airports include Little Rock's Clinton National Airport and Oklahoma's Tulsa International Airport. Box 1270 Hot Springs, AR 71902 Phone: (501) 321-5202 Fax: (501) 321-5305. Flickr/Shena Tschofen. The forest is noted for its picturesque scenery, clear lakes and rivers, waterfalls, natural springs, untouched wilderness and abundant wildlife. Caddo/Womble Ranger District Mt Ida, AR Phone: (870) 867-2101. 4. The Ouachita National Forest spans over 1.8 million acres in southeastern Oklahoma and into central Arkansas. Nearly 50 miles of trails are offered in this beautiful section of southeast Oklahoma, which is the home of the majestic Ouachita Mountains and Talimena Scenic Byway. Ouachita National Forest, Hot Springs: See 208 reviews, articles, and 89 photos of Ouachita National Forest, ranked No.9 on Tripadvisor among 52 attractions in Hot Springs. Ready for some activity? We decided we would spend prepping for the Appalachian Trail next year. The park is surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest, so more hiking and outdoor adventures can be enjoyed within the national forest. We choose to do a 26-mile loop in Arkansas known as Eagle Rock Loop (ERL). GAZE 140 miles in every direction from atop the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. RiverView Cabins and Canoes provides Canoe Rental and Shuttle Service on the Ouachita River. TAKE A trail ride through the Ouachita National Forest at Mountain Harbor Riding Stable. You can catch stunning sunsets in the Ouachitas. In the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains is Broken Bow Lake & Beavers Bend State Park. Monday: 8:00 am - … Broken Bow Lake covers 14,000 acres and has 180 miles of lush tree covered natural shoreline, which is perfect for boating, fishing, swimming and water sports. The Ouachita National Forest covers 1.8 million acres in central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. Visit Arkansas’s Largest Lake Our gorgeous, restorative resort town, Hot Springs, is located in the Ouachita Mountain Range. AllTrails has 33 great hiking trails, mountain biking trails, trail running trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. The best views of the area are in spring and fall along the Talimena Scenic Drive, a National Scenic Byway. Although the Ouachita Mountains don't have nearly as many waterfalls as they do to the north in the Ozarks, what waterfalls do exist are in such beautiful locations that they should all be visited. Recreation areas such as Albert Pike, Shady Lake and Charlton offer campsites, fishing areas, picnic sites and hiking trails. Also given is their area as of September 30, 2007. This loop is a collection of three trails in the Ouachita National Forest. The Ouachita National Recreation Trail, which can be accessed from the park, is a major attraction that stretches 223 miles through the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas and the Winding Stair Mountains in Oklahoma. Some of the highlights of the forest include the 11-mile Horsethief Springs Trail, which is one of the most beautiful trails in the state. On Tripadvisor's Hot Springs travel forum, travellers are asking questions and offering advice on topics like "Advise on pictureque hiking trails". The South’s first national forest, Ouachita was officially established in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt, after heavy logging knocked out much of Arkansas’ old-growth forest. The name "Ouachita" (Wash-it-taw) is derived from an American Indian word meaning "good hunting." “Come to the woods, for here is rest.” ― John Muir A few weeks back Kaci and I celebrated our 10th anniversary. Established in 1907, the South's oldest and one of the largest (1.6 million acres) national forest. To the north, they're edged by the Ozark Mountains and Ozark National Forest; to the south, they're blanketed by the Oauchita National Forest. Jessieville/Winona/ Fourche Ranger District Jessieville, AR Phone: (501) 984-5313. Things To Do in the Ouachita National Forest. Kagle Branch is a glorious site to take a look at, and the panorama of picturesque Main Mountain is fine. The Ouachita National Forest is a vast 1.8 million acre mountainous forest and is the South’s largest national forest. Here are some suggestions to get you started. Shuttles provided upstream and downstream providing access to some of the best fishing in Arkansas. Nearby Peter Green Hollow is a glorious location to go if you're at Ouachita National Forest, and you can see Lone Pine Mountain from Ouachita National Forest. Top 5 Tourist Attractions in Hot Springs, Arkansas When you think of a small town vacation spot, you normally picture some quaint village or sleepy countryside, but that’s not the case for Hot Springs, Arkansas.This little town is packed with adventure and interesting locales, including museums, parks, concerts, gardens, plenty of shops, critically-acclaimed restaurants, and more. Fill a bottle with hot water from one of the many downtown spigots used for generations to pump water fresh from the springs under the city. INFORMATION. Ouachita National Forest: Lots to do in the Ouachita National Forest - See 208 traveller reviews, 89 candid photos, and great deals for Hot Springs, AR, at Tripadvisor. Ouachita National Forest 100 Reserve Street P.O. Home / Activities / Parks & Nature / National Forests / Ouachita / Waterfalls. AllTrails has 9 great hiking trails, trail running trails, forest trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. Take in the beauty of the Ouachita National Forest and see the abundant wild life along the river. The Ouachita National Forest stretches over 1.8 million acres between Arkansas and Oklahoma and is mostly located in the Ouachita Mountains. The preserve has since tripled in size and is now 1.8 million acres, protecting the watersheds of the Arkansas River Valley, Ouachita River Valley, and Little River Watersheds. Ouachita National Forest Address: 52175 Hwy 59 Hodgen, OK 74939. Mena/Oden Ranger District Mena, AR Phone: (479) 394-2382. 5. Where to find free camping, things to do, places to see, and more! The Ouachita Mountains abound in a wide variety of wildlife, including game and non-game species. 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