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Recreation

Trails webpages and information will not be available until May 2025. Thank you for your patience while we work through getting the most updated, accurate information for you during this time.

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!

Showing: 1 - 10 of 55 results

Alum Cove Natural Bridge Recreation Area
Site Open
Outdoor Science and Learning Hiking
Among the many natural features of the Ozark Natural Forest is the huge stone arch that forms a natural bridge at Alum Cove National Recreation Trail. The natural arch is all that remains of what was…

Austin Trailhead
Site Open
Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) Biking Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Outdoor Science and Learning
The Austin Trailhead provides access to the Brock Creek Multi-Use Trail System.

Barkshed Recreation Area
Site Open
Outdoor Science and Learning Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Hiking Water Activities
Barkshed is a primitive camp near a clear mountain stream. It was the old "Barkshed Forest Camp" and was the show-off place for visitors to the forest. The picnic pavilion at the top of the hill was…

Bayou Bluff
Site Open
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Hiking Outdoor Science and Learning Scenic Drives Water Activities Picnicking
Located near the Illinois Bayou, the area exhibits picturesque bluffs and breathtaking scenery. Effective October 2021, Bayou Bluff became a Point of Interest. The fees are suspended for camping and…

Bear Creek Lake Recreation Area
Site Open
Water Activities Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Hiking Picnicking
The 625-acre Bear Creek Lake Recreation Area has 30 miles of shore line and offers the following recreational opportunities: camping, picnicking, swimming, canoeing, fishing and hiking. Sitting atop…

Big Piney Creek
Water Activities
The Big Piney Creek is designated as a National Wild & Scenic River that begins near the community of Fallsville and flows east and south for 57 miles to its junction with the Arkansas River. The…

Big Piney Ranger District
Biking Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Horse Riding and Camping Picnicking Scenic Drives Water Activities Outdoor Science and Learning Hiking Off Highway Vehicles (OHV)
The Big Piney Ranger District is the largest district on the Ozark-St Francis National Forest, encompassing approximately 496,000 acres. The district boundaries include parts of Van Buren, Conway,…

Blanchard Springs Campgrounds
Site Closed
Seventeen individual campsites and two group sites available. Water available. Sewage dump station available. Sites suitable for smaller RV's and tents. No electricity or other hook ups. 

Blanchard Springs Caverns
Site Open
Climbing and Caving
Blanchard Springs Caverns will open March 1, 2025. There will be 140 tickets/reservations offered daily Thursdays – Mondays. Securing this timed entry reservation through Recreation.gov is the only…

Blanchard Springs Day-Use Area
Site Temporarily Closed
Hiking Picnicking Biking Water Activities Outdoor Science and Learning Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Blanchard Springs Day-Use Area is part of the Blanchard Springs Recreation Area.  The area has picturesque rock bluffs, beautiful crystal clear streams and hiking available in the wooded hillsides. 
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