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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 area fees and schedule
NEW! Recreation.gov "Scan & Pay" now available at certain recreation areas
Visitors are now able to find several recreation sites online at Recreation.gov and through the Recreation.gov mobile app where they will be able to purchase day-use passes. It is important to download the app or purchase online in advance, since cellular reception on the Forest may be unreliable. After the app is installed, visitors will be able to make payments regardless of reception. The Recreation.gov mobile app is available to the public for free download on iOS and Android devices: https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app.
*Fee Tubes will still be on-site for cash and check payments.
Current Recreation Conditions
| Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Barkshed Recreation Area | Open | Open |
| Bayou Bluff Point of Interest | Open | Open all year. No trash services. Pack it in - pack it out. |
| 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 | Closed | Closed for season. Group sites open year-round. |
| Blanchard Springs Caverns | Closed | Closed for season. |
| Blanchard Springs Day-Use Area | Temporarily Closed | Temporarily closed due to flooding damage. |
| Blanchard Springs Recreation Area | Open | Caverns, Visitor Center, and Campground have closed for the season. Group campsites and Day-Use area are open. |
| Brock Creek | Open | Open |
| Brock Creek Lake Recreation Area | Open | Open |
| Buckhorn Trail | 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 | Beach area closed for season. All other areas open. |
| Gunner Pool Recreation Area | Open | Open |
| Haw Creek Falls Point of Interest | Open | Open. Camping allowed in designated sites. |
| Horsehead Lake Recreation Area | Closed | Closed for season. |
| Lake Wedington Recreation Area | Temporarily Closed | Mountain bike trails open. Boat ramp and all other facilities closed. |
| Long Pool Recreation Area | Open | Open |
| Moccasin Gap | Open | Open |
| Ozone Recreation Area | Open | Open |
| Pleasant Hill Shooting Range | Open | Open |
| Redding Recreation Area | Open | Open |
| Richland Creek Recreation Area | Open | Open. Water available seasonally. |
| 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 | Open |
| Shelton Point Shooting Range | Open | Open |
| Shores Lake Recreation Area | Closed | Closed for season. |
| Spring Lake Recreation Area | Closed | 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. |
| Sylamore Shooting Range | Open | Open. Closed on Wednesday mornings for maintenance. |
| Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag) Trailhead | Open | |
| White Rock Mountain Recreation Area | Open | Open |
| Wolf Pen Recreation Area | Open | Open |
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.
