Heading South (AK & TX) and need advice

**Bic** · 03-06-2013, 10:47

So CryOTheWild and BigFatSellout along with my oldest son and I are road tripping south for a week. We were thinking of stopping at Ozark National Forest or the Ouachita National Forest for night one then possibly staying around there or heading to Texas and either Davy Crockett National Forest or the Angelina National Forest. My questions are:

A. Is dispersed camping and specifically hammock camping allowed at these places?

B. Which of these parks is the "best"? by best I guess I mean overal trails, scenery, trees, etc...

C. what are the conditions down there now... or what will they be in two weeks?

D. Anything we should be aware of as none of us have hung in AR or Texas?

Also, We're thinking of leaving the 17th and coming back on the 22nd or 23rd. If anyone wants to meet up with us and hang for a few days that would be great

**sargevining** · 03-06-2013, 11:22

Assuming you mean AR (Arkansas) and not AK (Alaska).

Weather here in TX will be generally warm days and cold to cool nights and the possibility of rain. UQ in the 40* range will likely be OK, but 30* just in case, and tarps a very good idea.

I'm not familiar with Davey Crockett or Angelina, but Sam Houston NF has some very nice spots along the Lone Star Hiking Trail, but you should check for current state of closures of portions of the trail

There is a nice car camping area at Parking Lot #8 with good hiking along the Four Notch Loop. We just got back from a four day trip out there. You can also camp anywhere on trail. Section 1 also has some nice camping areas on it, and by the time you get here, it should be open all the way to Stubblefield Lake.

**Bic** · 03-06-2013, 11:44

Originally Posted by sargevining

Assuming you mean AR (Arkansas) and not AK (Alaska).

DOH!

Anyways, thanks for the tips! I'll look into that!

**RockIsland** · 03-06-2013, 14:32

I've camped in both, the Ozark NF and Ouachita NF, but unfortunately it was before my days of hammocking. I don't think there will be any problem with hanging hammocks in ether. The rivers and creeks will have plenty of water, we have gotten quite a bit of rain in the last few weeks. I highly recommend Tim Ernst's books (http://www.timernst.com/)on the Ozark NF and Ouachita NF, he even has one on just waterfalls. A group of friends and I are planning a waterfall tour later this spring. Eight waterfalls within 10 miles of each other! Can't wait

**Brute1100** · 03-06-2013, 14:55

With Texas weather... Expect it to change... Mondays high was 89* Tuesdays low was 33* now you explain how to prep for that... Unfortunately rain won't be in the forecast for the most part... Wind would probably be your biggest deal so doors recommended...