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Recreation

The Ouachita National Forest is located primarily in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma.  Outstanding mountain views coupled with picturesque streams, rivers, and lakes provide a unique and highly valued setting for outdoor recreation.  The forest offers high quality nature related-sightseeing, scenic driving, hunting, fishing, and dispersed camping.  Learn about the areas rich history at wayside exhibits along a scenic drive or experience unique botanical, mineral, and prehistoric resources featured in information and educational programs.  An extensive trail system provides for all types of uses including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and off-highway vehicles (OHV) riding.  A variety of services can be found at developed campgrounds ranging from rustic tent pads to full-service RV hookups.  Enjoy exceptional water-based recreation opportunities including fishing, non-motorized boating, and passive enjoyment of streams, rivers and lakes.

Current Fees and Schedules

portal entrance sign for Charlton Campground

Find information on recreation area fees, yearly schedule, and reservation information.

Showing: 91 - 100 of 108 results

Serendipity

Site Open
Outdoor Science and Learning Hiking
The Serendipity Interpretive Trail highlights the different layers of the forest through interpretive signs. Placed throughout the trail, the signs tell the story about the plants and animals that…

Shady Lake

Site Open
Biking Picnicking Water Activities Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Outdoor Science and Learning Hiking
Scenic 25-acre lake in remote mountain setting. The Civilian Conservation Corps developed the Shady Lake Recreation Area in 1937. The Shady Lake Trail traverses Saline Creek, passes the historic…

Sharptop Mountain Walk-In Turkey Hunting Area

Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Sharptop Mountain Walk-In Turkey Hunting Area is located on the Caddo-Womble Ranger District of the Ouachita National Forest. The area, which contains 11,275 acres, is seven miles north of Glenwood,…

Shut-In Mountain Walk-In Turkey Hunting Area

Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
The Shut-In Mountain Walk-In Turkey Hunting Area is 8,400 acres and located about 9 miles north of Mena, Arkansas in Scott County.Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. 261.50(a) and (b), forest roads M31, M1A, M-22,…

South Fourche Recreation Area

Site Open
Picnicking Water Activities
Convenient roadside picnic area and campground located on Scenic Highway 7 Byway. This campground also provides floating access to the South Fourche River.

Sugar Creek Hiking

Site Open
Hiking
The trail, connecting Knoppers Ford Recreation Area to Jack Creek Recreation area, covers challenging terrain offering excellent views of the Sugar, Middle and Jack Creek drainages and surrounding…

Sugar Creek Multiuse

Site Open
Horse Riding and Camping Biking Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) Hiking
The Sugar Creek Multi-Use Trail is a network of looping trails that winds over various types of terrain and through a variety of tree types. Connecting loops offer users an opportunity to explore…

Talimena National Scenic Byway

Site Open
Scenic Drives
This road offers breathtaking panoramas of the east-west ranges of the Ouachita Mountains. This curving drive winds 54 miles west along the spine of Rich Mountain and Winding Stair Mountain. Between…