Spring Day Hikes in the Intriguing Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas and Oklahoma

The Trip

Call the region what you like -- the Midwest, the South, mid-America, the Southeast, or Southcentral -- the part of the U.S that includes the states of Arkansas and Oklahoma is largely unknown and unexplored by hikers and campers when compared to the big national parks and mountains of the East and the West. Grab this opportunity to discover the unique wonders of this area by joining us on a van-supported hiking tour of the intriguing Ouachita Mountains.  

The ancient Ouachita (pronounced WASH-i-taw) Mountains once rivaled the Rockies in majesty, but have been worn down over the ages. Today, they are the highest mountains between the Rockies and the Appalachians and are unique in that they run east to west. Rich Mountain, at 2,681 feet, is the second-highest peak in Arkansas and the Talimena National Scenic Byway traverses 54 miles along the crest of its high ridge, which extends into Oklahoma and offers expansive views at its many vista points. Along with their scenic beauty, the Ouachitas are full of history and we will explore aspects of both. 

The vast Ouachita National Forest, which encompasses these mountains, is the largest and oldest national forest of the South. The forest is filled with scenic wonders; with its interesting terrain, many beautiful lakes, streams, springs, and waterfalls, it offers many opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping, birdwatching, and observing abundant wildlife. Within this forest are dense stands of oak, hickory, and pine, as well as flowering trees such as redbud and dogwood, which bloom in the spring. The majority of the trip will be within this forest of southeast Oklahoma and west-central Arkansas. We should be treated to an abundance of beautiful spring wildflowers and we could also catch sight of some rare song birds as they migrate through the area. We have the assurance of panoramic vistas.

The trip will be a shuttle-supported hiking/camping trip. We will hike by day and camp by night, with our gear transported by van from spot to spot. We will camp in three different beautiful state parks and one U.S. Forest Service group campground. Each day our van will drop us off at a trailhead for a day-long hike of up to 11 miles. The difficulty level of the trails will range from easy to strenuous. At the end of the hike, our van will pick us up and return us to camp with time to enjoy our gorgeous camp settings and amenities, including fishing and swimming at some of the parks. (An Arkansas fishing license is required to fish.) This trip can accommodate beginners, families, and first-time outing participants who are in good condition since all of the hikes will be optional and some of the trails will have possible pick-up locations mid-way through the hike.

We will have time to visit historic Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs National Park and to enjoy the interpretive trails at the Kerr Arboretum. We will hike sections of the Ouachita National Scenic Trail and the Ouachita Lake Vista trail. We’ll travel by van over a substantial portion of the Talimena National Scenic Byway and reach the awe-inspiring Queen Wilhelmina State Park, aka “The Castle in the Sky."

Day 1: Van pick-up at the Little Rock Airport. Drive to Lake Catherine State Park and set up camp for this night and the next night. Hike some of the nearby short (2- to 5-mile) trails, swim, fish, or just relax in camp. Dinner will be provided by our camp cook. Enjoy good food and camaraderie in this beautiful setting. https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/lakecatherine/

Day 2: Van travel to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Explore the trails, visitor center, Bathhouse Row, and other historic aspects of Hot Springs National Park. Plan for a 10-mile hike (rated moderate); several optional midpoint pickups available. If you desire, experience bathing and a massage in the hot spring waters at your cost in downtown Hot Springs. The van will return the group to Lake Catherine for dinner and camp for another night. https://www.nps.gov/hosp/index.htm

Day 3: Hike on an easy-to-moderate 10-mile section of the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail with an optional takeout at about the half-way point. Move camp to a nearby U.S. Forest Service group campground, where we will have the option of tent camping or staying in rustic cabins for this night and the next night. After dinner there should be time to explore the new campground, swim, play volleyball, or throw a Frisbee. http://lakeouachitavistatrail.org/WP/  

Day 4: Hike on a strenuous 11-mile section of the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail with no optional takeouts. As with all the hikes on the trip, this one is optional. The van will pick up the group at the end of the hiking day and bring everyone back for another night at the rustic group camp accommodations. 

Day 5: Van travel along the Talimena National Scenic Byway (http://www.talimenascenicdrive.com/), stopping at many vista points along the way to see the breathtaking views. Upon reaching Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Arkansas (http://www.queenwilhelmina.com/), we will set up camp before heading off to Oklahoma to explore three easy, short self-guided hikes at the Kerr Arboretum and Nature Center (http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ouachita/null/recarea/?recid=10766&actid=119). Dinner this evening will be at your cost at the Queen Wilhelmina Lodge, where the dessert choices are as spectacular as the views. (Other dinner accommodations will be made for anyone who does not wish to participate.)

Day 6: Hike in Oklahoma on a strenuous 7-mile section of the 223-mile-long Ouachita National Recreational Trail; no midpoint pickup available on this trail segment. After the hike, van-travel further west along the Talimena National Scenic Byway and stop at a few points of interest before returning to our Queen Wilhelmina camp for dinner provided by our camp cook. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouachita_National_Recreation_Trail 

Day 7: Van-travel east and move camp to Lake Ouachita State Park campground for the night. After camp set-up, there will be options to fish, swim, take a 4-mile loop hike at the state park (moderate to strenuous) or go back to downtown Hot Springs in the van. Dinner will be at the campground. https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/lakeouachita/  

Day 8: Pack up camp and van-travel back to the Little Rock Airport. Please do not schedule a flight out prior to 1 p.m. 

Getting There

The starting point for this trip is Little Rock, Arkansas; the trip leaders will pick people up in the van at the Clinton National Airport. This airport is a small public use airport owned by the city of Little Rock. However, it is the largest commercial airport in Arkansas. Please plan to arrive by 1 p.m.  All ground transportation will be provided via a 15-passenger van. Participants will be taken back to the Clinton National Airport at the end of the trip. Please do not schedule a flight out prior to 1 p.m.

Accommodations and Food

We’ll tent camp at three Arkansas State Parks (Lake Catherine, Queen Wilhelmina, and Lake Ouachita) and have a choice of tent camping or cabin camping at one U.S. Forest Service group campground.  All locations have flush toilets and showers. These camping arrangements are included in your trip cost.

If you prefer having a cabin or lodge room, you can call or check online with the state parks as to availability and rent one at your own expense.  Lake Catherine S.P. and Lake Ouachita have housekeeping cabins and Queen Wilhelmina S.P. has a lodge. Lake Ouachita S.P. also has some primitive camper cabins (online under “camping” not “cabins”).

All meals, except dinner on day 5, will be provided from dinner on the starting day through breakfast on the last day. All trip participants will take turns assisting with cooking and clean-up. There are obvious limitations on the sort of food that can be prepared for a large group in a camp setting without refrigeration, but we try to surprise our trip members with variety and quality. Meals will be prepared to accommodate both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. If you have special dietary concerns, please let the leaders know prior to signing up for the trip; if we can accommodate you, we will. Come with the attitude that food is part of the adventure. Our meals will both satisfy appetite and be a social gathering after a day's play.

Trip Difficulty

Participants should be in good physical condition in order to fully enjoy this trip.  Hikes will range from easy to strenuous on different days. Some of the trails will have an option for midpoint pickup in case the trail is harder than expected. All hikes are optional, so if you would rather hang out at camp and watch for birds or photograph wildflowers or just enjoy your natural surroundings, you will be able to do so on most days.  Please be aware that Sierra Club policy requires that all hiking be done in groups of at least three people.  

Equipment and Clothing

The leader will send you a detailed equipment list after you sign up, but the following are a few needed essentials to go along with your normal camping gear. You will need to bring a tent with a full rainfly, a waterproof rain suit (not a poncho), a pair of well-broken-in, waterproof boots, and a daypack for carrying lunch, water, raingear, etc. on the day hikes. We will provide the kitchen and cooking equipment, but you will bring your own eating utensils and bowl. Due to space constraints while shuttling people from camp to camp, the amount of gear allowed will be limited to one rolling duffle per person with one additional daypack that can be carried on your lap.

Weather and temperature can be highly variable at this time of year. We will likely see some rain at some point during the trip, thus the need for waterproof rain jacket and pants. Plan to layer your clothing so you will be able to take things off or put them on as the weather dictates. 

We will need some bug repellent for ticks and insects. There are some hazards associated with this trip that are just part of hiking in this part of the country, such as the possibilities of poisonous snakes, contact with poison ivy, hunting, severe storms, tornadoes, etc. Although we will not be at high elevations, the terrain is rough and will require physical exertion. We could potentially face hypothermia and/or heat exhaustion.

References

• Info about the Ouachita Mountains:
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouachita_Mountains and
  http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=442 and 
  http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/ouachita1.html 
• Info about the Ouachita National Forest: http://www.fs.usda.gov/ouachita 

Conservation