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USDA Forest Service - Ouachita National Forest
We are the oldest and largest National Forest in the South. We encompass 1.8 million acres in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Come explore the Ouachita.
View from the Talimena Scenic Drive. Adobe Stock
Located in both Arkansas and Oklahoma, the Ouachita National Forest is home to rolling hills, pristine lakes, geological wonders and a vast array of adventures at every turn! Whether you want a challenge or a retreat, a vista or a valley, the Ouachitas have something for everyone!
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Recreation
A variety of developed and dispersed recreation opportunities await you on the forest. Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, hunting, fishing, four-wheeler riding and taking pictures are just some of the activities people enjoy while visiting the forests
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Be Prepared
Before embarking on your outdoor adventure, be prepared with maps available in several formats: Interactive, downloadable, geo-referenced, and also available for printing at home.
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Fire Information
The forest will be conducting prescribed burns over the next several months. The purposes of these burns are to re-establish fire’s natural role in the forest ecosystem, improve forest health, and reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires.
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Forest Restoration Videos
The Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas produced a series of three short videos highlighting the incredible forest and glade restoration work being completed.
Features
Proposed Recreation Fee Changes Information and Comment Page
Ouachita National Forest is proposing changes to recreation fees in certain areas of the Forest. The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee changes to the developed recreation program. The comment period is set to end by close of business on July 31, 2024.
E-Bike Collaborative Workshop
A virtual workshop was held on May 11, 2022 to explain a planned Environmental Assessment on e-bike use on the Womble Trail in the Ouachita National Forest, which is currently closed to motorized traffic. The purpose of the assessment was to determine if allowing e-bikes on forest trails could have significant impacts on the environment. This workshop was in collaboration with the Ozark-St Francis National Forests as they are also considering similar trails on their forest.
