Ouachita National Forest OK Camping Ideas

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03-03-2013, 12:05
Netmonster

Ouachita National Forest OK Camping Ideas

Hello all,

My brother, daughter and I are looking to take a 2 night 3 day trip starting around March 9th (The start of Spring Break). We’ve been looking around the Ouachita National Forest in Oklahoma for a good place to do some “Dispersed Camping”. I'm just not one for established sites with tons of people around.

I think I may have spoiled myself by doing the ERL in Arkansas last year. We did the ERL in three days and on the fourth day we found a nice site off one of the forest service roads near a stream and had a blast. I’m looking for something similar on the Oklahoma side of the Ouachita’s.

Our plan is to head up from Dallas and drive down the Talimena Scenic Drive. I see a number of Forest Service roads in the area and would like to see if anyone may know of some nice places to pull the car up, unload and hang. Stream optional lol

Thanks,
KC
03-03-2013, 12:07
Grifter Six

I plan on being out there around the 22nd.

The areas around cedar lake and winding stairs are nice.
Youll have to walk out around to the other side of the lake to get a little privacy.
03-04-2013, 10:08
Netmonster

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grifter Six

I plan on being out there around the 22nd.

The areas around cedar lake and winding stairs are nice.
Youll have to walk out around to the other side of the lake to get a little privacy.

I was looking for something more along the lines of staying off one of the forest service roads.
03-04-2013, 10:45
sparkyjim

Re: Ouachita National Forest OK Camping Ideas

I've been up there a bit since I learned of it via OldGringo's posts. I've had good luck just calling the Rangers station to get up-dates and recommendations.
Hoping to do Horsethief Springs again the end of the monyh.
03-12-2013, 10:12
Qwik512

Beavers Bend/Broken Bow area is pretty nice.
03-12-2013, 10:35
Zac

Check out http://www.ouachitamaps.com/. The Boardstand, Military Road, Ouachita Trails make a nice loop starting at Talimena State Park.
03-12-2013, 10:43
Fizz

Hi, sorry if this may be a little late getting to you. I did a trip around Military Road in December and it was very dry. I dont like to pack in a lot of water, so I was planning on using a creek at my halfway point and it was dried up. We got lucky because we chose the creek bed as camp, and about a quarter mile down the creek we found a pool of water that was purifiable. I live in NE Oklahoma and we have had some decent rainfall as of late, but overall it is still pretty dry.