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About the Area
About Us
The Ouachita National Forest covers nearly 1.8 million acres in central Arkansas and southeast Oklahoma. It is the oldest and largest National Forest in the Southern Region. When first established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907, it was named the Arkansas National Forest. President Calvin Coolidge renamed it to Ouachita in 1926. Ouachita (pronounced wash-i-tah) is the French spelling of a Native American word meaning "good hunting ground." The Supervisor's office, which is now located in Hot Springs, was originally in Mena, Arkansas. The Ouachita has 5 District Clusters:
- Caddo\Womble
- Oklahoma (Choctaw, Kiamichi, Tiak)
- Cold Springs\Poteau
- Fourche\Jessieville\Winona
- Mena\Oden
The Ouachita is primarily a pine-hickory mix. It has over 700 miles of trails for various activities such as hiking, mountain biking, interpretive, equestrian, off-road vehicles, and trails that allow for accessibility. There are multiple developed recreation areas, scenic areas, vistas, shooting ranges, historical sites, wilderness areas, and one National recreation area. Most of the developed recreation areas are open April through September, but some sites are open year-round. Contact one of the Forest Service offices for more information regarding open seasons and fees.
Ouachita National Forest
Vision and Mission Statement
We are stewards of a public treasure: The Ouachita National Forest.
Our Mission...
To sustain the ecological health and productivity of lands and waters entrusted to our care and provide for human uses compatible with that goal.
We Understand that our greatest asset is the land, our greatest strength is our workforce, and our greatest challenge is achieving public understanding, trust, and confidence in all that we do.
Our Vision for the Ouachita National Forest includes:
- A forest that is healthy, beautiful and useful with the full
complement of native plants and animals, high quality lakes and streams, and intact productive soils. - Forest Service employees and citizens working together to develop ecologically sustainable and socially acceptable land management programs.
- A highly competent and diverse workforce, proud of the Forest Service and the work we do, openly communicating in a spirit of trust with each other and with the public we serve.
We Pledge to the people of the United States:
- To use an ecological approach, based upon the most current knowledge and best science, for providing multiple benefits from the Forest;
- To involve the American people openly and honestly in decisions regarding these public lands;
- To make the most efficient and effective use of each tax dollar provided for carrying out our work;
- To be responsive to current public needs and wishes while ensuring that the renewable resource bounty of the Forest is handed down undiminished for the use and enjoyment of future generations.