Recreation
So Much To Do & See
The 1.2-million acre Ozark-St. Francis National Forests offer endless opportunities for adventure. As one of America's most scenic and picturesque areas, the Ozark-St. Francis provides a lot of the "natural" in the Natural State of Arkansas.
A variety of developed and dispersed recreation opportunities await you on the forests. Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, floating, kayaking, boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, hunting, fishing, four-wheeler riding and taking pictures are just some of the activities people enjoy while visiting the forests. Each of the recreation areas, trails, wilderness areas or wild and scenic rivers provides unique opportunities to observe nature and enjoy your favorite outdoor activities from cavern tours to hunting black bear and white-tail deer. The Ozark-St. Francis National Forests have something for everyone and are on the way to almost everywhere in Arkansas!
Current Recreation Conditions
Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
---|---|---|
Barkshed Recreation Area | Open | No reservations. Sites available on a first-come/first-based only. |
Bayou Bluff Point of Interest | Open | Open all year. No fees. Upper loop closed. Pavilions available on a first-come, first-served basis only. No trash services. Pack it in - pack it out. Link to news release. |
Bear Creek Lake Recreation Area | Open | Bear Creek Recreation area is located in Eastern Arkansas on the St. Francis National Forest. The Bear Creek Lake Recreation Area is managed by the Mississippi River State Park. Please call the Mississippi River State Park - Marianna Office for any questions at 870-295-4040. |
Blanchard Springs Campgrounds | Open | Open |
Blanchard Springs Caverns | Open | Dripstone Tour available Discovery Tour will begin Memorial Day Wild Cave Tour unavailable |
Blanchard Springs Day-Use Area | Open | |
Blanchard Springs Recreation Area | Open | The Visitor Information Center personnel have a wealth of knowledge of the surrounding area. They are also available for appointments to issue passes, including the annual forests' day-use pass. Contact the center at 870-757-2211 |
Brock Creek | Open | |
Brock Creek Lake Recreation Area | Open | No reservations. Sites available on a first-come/first-based only. |
Buckhorn | Open | A landslide has caused a trail closure of the East Outer Loop Shortcut C. Map of closure available here. |
Cove Lake Recreation Area | Open | Camping is available (18 sites are reservable, remaining are first-come, first-served). Water is turned off seasonally in the campground. No water or electric hook-ups. For more information, please call the Magazine Ranger District at (479) 963-3076. For reservations, go to Recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 |
Gunner Pool Recreation Area | Open | No reservations. Sites available on a first-come/first-based only. Water is currently turned off for winter season. |
Haw Creek Falls Point of Interest | Open | No fees. Open all year. Camping allowed in designated sites. No trash service. Pack it in, pack it out. This area is subject to flash flooding and visitors are responsible for monitoring conditions and taking precautionary measures. Removal of the entrance gate does not indicate the area is always safe during changing weather conditions. Link to news release. |
Horsehead Lake Recreation Area | Open | Closed for the season. No reservations. Sites available on a first-come/first-based only. Swimming is allowed at Horsehead Lake, but be aware that you are swimming at your own risk. No lifeguard on duty, nor are water samples tested. The recreation area closes seasonally. |
Lake Wedington Recreation Area | Temporarily Closed | Closed until further notice |
Long Pool Recreation Area | Open | No reservations. Sites available on a first-come/first-based only. Campground sits on the Big Piney Creek, a wild and scenic river. Please contact the Big Piney Ranger District for additional information: 479-284-3150. The small pavilion is closed for repairs. The large pavilion is still available for rent. |
Moccasin Gap | Open | Campground sites: No reservations. Sites available on a first-come/first-based only. For more information, contact the Big Piney Ranger District at 479-284-3150 |
Ozone Recreation Area | Open | No reservations. Sites available on a first-come/first-based only. |
Pleasant Hill Shooting Range | Open | |
Redding Recreation Area | Open | No reservations. Sites available on a first-come/first-based only. On the beautiful Mulberry River. |
Richland Creek Recreation Area | Open | No reservations. Sites available on a first-come/first-based only. The road between Falling Water Falls and the Richland Creek Wilderness is prone to landslides. There are a couple of places where the road is down to one lane due to these landslides. Please be aware that the county may also close these roads to complete repairs. |
Richland Creek Wilderness | Open | The road between Falling Water Falls and the Richland Creek Wilderness is prone to landslides. There are a couple of places where the road is down to one lane due to these landslides. Please be aware that the county may also close these roads to complete repairs. |
Sams Throne Recreation Area | Open | No fee to camp at Sam's Throne. No reservations. Sites available on a first-come/first-based only. |
Shelton Point Shooting Range | Open | |
Shores Lake Recreation Area | Open | Water and bathhouse unavailable during the winter season. Vault toilets are available. |
Spring Lake Recreation Area | Open | The campground and lake is open for the season; the bathhouse is open and water is available. No reservations. Sites available on a first-come/first-based only. The Spring Lake Dam pedestrian walkway is closed to pedestrian traffic for safety reasons until repairs can be made. The dam itself is not affected. Recreation Are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Contact the Mt. Magazine Ranger District at 479-963-3076 for more information |
Sylamore Shooting Range | Open | The shooting range is closed on Wednesday mornings for maintenance. Currently, every other bench is blocked to provide spacing between visitors |
Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag) Trailhead | Open | |
White Rock Mountain Recreation Area | Open | Closed weekdays from Monday, July 25 through early September. The campground, cabins and overlook will be open and fully accessible on the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). website: http://www.whiterockmountain.com/ or call 479-369-4128. For reservations, go to Recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 |
Wolf Pen Recreation Area | Open | No reservations. Sites available on a first-come/first-based only. Six primitive sites on the beautiful Mulberry River. |
Spotlights
Blanchard Springs Caverns
Blanchard Springs Caverns is one of the most spectacular and carefully developed caves found anywhere. Visitors enter a "living" cave where glistening formations like stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and flowstones are still changing. These crystalline formations are the result of minerals deposited by dripping water. Forest Service interpreters guide all tours. For more information about this natural wonder, check out the Blanchard Springs Caverns website.