Ouachita National Forest - Arkansas

Explore 1.6 million acres of the South's oldest national forest. Ouachita National Forest offers endless opportunities for adventure, providing the "natural" in the State of Arkansas. The Ouachita Mountains, located in west central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma, offer visitors solitude and an abundance of scenic beauty. With lush pine and hardwood forest, Ouachita National Forest is brimming with rugged scenery in more than 65,000 acres of designated wilderness.

Visitors to the forest can enjoy rock hounding for quartz, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking, as well as kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing in the 90-acre lake. There are 600 miles of trails, ranging from short interpretive trails of less than 1 mile to longer routes on the 192-mile Ouachita National Trail, and wild rivers where guests can take in the natural beauty and enjoy favorite outdoor activities. For those who want to spend a little extra time and prolong their adventure, there are 150 campsites available during the late spring, summer and early fall. With a variety of settings, scenic beauty, and primitive recreation, there's something for everyone to love at Ouachita National Forest.

From Hot Springs, US highways 270 west, 70 west and State highway 7 west provide easy access to the forest.