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ForestMatters, LLC

South Central

1 forest, 8 trails

National Forests

Ouachita National Forest

Arkansas1,800,000 acres

The oldest national forest in the South: 1.8 million acres in Arkansas and Oklahoma, gateway to Hot Springs, the 223-mile Ouachita Trail, and unique east-west folded mountain ridges.

9 min read

Trails

moderatepoint-to-point

Athens-Big Fork Trail

11 mi1,200 ft gain
March through May and October through November

An 11-mile point-to-point ridgeline traverse through Caney Creek Wilderness in Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas. The premier backcountry route in the southern Ouachita, with creek crossings and remote forest solitude.

6 min read

easy-moderateout-and-back

Cossatot River Trail

6 mi400 ft gain
March through June and September through November

A 6-mile out-and-back along one of the wildest rivers in Arkansas, through Cossatot River State Park Natural Area near Wickes in the southern Ouachita National Forest region.

6 min read

easy-moderateout-and-back

Crystal Mountain Trail

4 mi600 ft gain
March through November

A 4-mile out-and-back through shortleaf pine and oak forest to quartz crystal areas near Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Ouachita National Forest. Good Ouachita Mountain views and accessible crystal collecting for personal use.

5 min read

moderateout-and-back

Flatside Pinnacle Trail

2.4 mi800 ft gain
March through November

A 2.4-mile out-and-back to a rocky summit with 360-degree Ouachita Mountain views inside Flatside Wilderness in Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas. One of the best short hikes in the state.

5 min read

easy-moderateloop

Lake Ouachita Vista Trail

4.5 mi500 ft gain
March through November

A 4.5-mile loop with views of Lake Ouachita in Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas. One of the clearest lakes in the United States, surrounded by quartz crystal country near Mount Ida.

5 min read

easyloop

Lake Sylvia Nature Trail

1.5 mi100 ft gain
March through November

A 1.5-mile loop around Lake Sylvia in Ouachita National Forest near Perryville, Arkansas. A family-friendly shoreline walk with great blue herons, a developed campground, and easy access near the Flatside Wilderness.

4 min read

easyout-and-back

Little Missouri Falls Trail

2.5 mi200 ft gain
March through June and September through November

A 2.5-mile out-and-back to one of Arkansas's most beautiful waterfalls in Ouachita National Forest. A 15-foot cascade with a natural swimming hole in the Albert Pike Recreation Area.

5 min read

moderatepoint-to-point

Ouachita Trail: Mena to Rich Mountain Section

8 mi1,400 ft gain
March through May and October through November

An 8-mile point-to-point on the Ouachita National Recreation Trail reaching Rich Mountain (2,681 ft), the highest summit in the Arkansas Ouachitas, near Mena in western Ouachita National Forest.

6 min read