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Ouachita National Forest Dispersed Camping Map

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Forked Mountain – Cedar Creek – Dispersed Camping – Ouachita National Forest Arkansas

These maps and information are provided to assist you in finding RV camping locations in the Ouachita National Forest of Arkansas. Locations displayed are approximate, and are offered only as a guide and should not be used for navigation. Public lands are administered by USA and state government departments, and you should consult with the local public land management office for specific RV camping and access information if you are unsure of local policies.

To find free RV camping sites in the Ouachita National Forest, you need good maps. We recommend the Arkansas Atlas & Gazetteer by DeLorme Publishing Company as a great paper recreation atlas. Put that together with DeLorme Topo 6.0 Software and you have a powerful set of tools to find great RV camping sites.

Take A Hike In The Ouachita National Forest

  • Lovers Leap : Located near Mena, AR this 1.1-mile hike will give you great views of Rich Mountain. Its rated as moderate with a 242 ft. elevation gain. Dogs are able to join you and its a great short hike to watch the suns set or rise!
  • Fall Branch Falls : A perfect short hike to a refreshing waterfall! This is a popular hike and state park, so be prepared to have other hikers on the trail with you. Its a total of 1.7 miles , with just over 200 ft elevation gain.
  • Caddo Bend Trail : This was my favorite hike of the trip ! During this 4 mile loop, you are met with BEAUTIFUL views of Lake Ouachita and mountain views. There are also several spots where you can take a detour down to the lake for a refreshing swim!
  • Hot Springs National Park Hiking: There are several hikes located within the National Park. We did not do any of these , BUT you can check them out HERE, and read all the reviews of others who have hiked them!

Tip! Even though these are short hikes, be sure to bring your hydration pack as it was EXTREMELY hot. You always want to make sure you have MORE than enough water!

Tips For Safe Low Impact Campfires:

Use existing fire rings if they exist. Minimize the scarring of new rocks, soil, and plants by using existing fire rings.

Select a site that is not in a meadow or clearing, that is not next to a tree with low overhanging branches, that is at least 100 feet from any water source to protect fragile vegetation.

Clean an area and make a ring of rocks about two feet in diameter.

Collect only dead wood that is on the ground. You should not cut branches from live trees.

Before you leave your campfire make sure is it completely out. You should be able to put your whole hand into the ashes without being burned, it should be cool to the touch. Stir the ashes to make sure all embers have cooled. This is very important! Many forest fires are caused by abandoned campfires that were not completely out.

Read Also: Camping World Near My Current Location

The Complete Guide To Camping In And Near Hot Springs National Park

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Historical interest and natural beauty strike a perfect balance in Hot Springs National Park. This little gem is the oldest park to be managed by the National Park System, but its storied past extends thousands of years beyond that as a sacred place for numerous Indigenous Peoples. Visitors today can enjoy peaceful hiking trails, grandiose bathhouses, and endless recreational activities in the park and the nearby city of Hot Springs.

Those looking to make the most of their escape to nature will have their pick from a wealth of excellent camping options in the area. Whether youre looking for a deluxe glamping experience or free dispersed camping, weve got you covered. This guide details all of the best places to camp in and near Hot Springs National Park and provides need-to-know information to help you have your best possible trip. Happy Camping!

Free Camping Near Hot Springs Arkansas

Arkansas RV Camping

Not surprisingly, there are a lot of options for free camping near Hot Springs, Arkansas! For travelers who are just passing through or visitors looking to get off the beaten path, these campsites near Hot Springs, Arkansas are excellent options.

If youre looking for free camping near Hot Springs Arkansas, dispersed camping near Hot Springs, or primitive camping near Hot Springsyoure in the right place!

Read Also: Camping World Of North Little Rock

Using 3rd Party Resources And Maps

A quick Google search may yield some results for locations of free campsites in your National Forest, but more often than not, these sites dont come openly advertised. This keeps the area impact low, and your special spot a secret.

If youre willing to spend the time, here are a few additional resources to help you find that perfect spot:

  • They know the forest better than anyone else, and will typically advise you on the best places to spend the night.
  • Find specialized maps for your National Forest. Some even list known dispersed camping sites. Here is an example from Nicolet, where the brown tent symbol with a white background represents a common dispersed free camping area.
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    Lake Ouachita State Park Yosvany Garcia/Pixabay Address 5451 Mountain Pine Rd, Mountain Pine, AR 71956-9706, USA Phone +1 800-264-2441 Web Visit website Lake Ouachita State Park is vast with more than 1,000 campsites and upwards of 200 islands. A good camping spot is Denby Point, which has 67 sites, 58 with electric hookups.

    Aug 27, 2020 · Initially, I had considered camping at the state park or one of the Army Corps of Engineers sites at various sites around the lake. But then in my research I realized that the entirety of the lake is within the Ouachita National Forest and dispersed camping is allowed on most of the shorelines and on the islands!. Apr 26, 2020 · Dispersed Camping is the BEST! Review of Ouachita National Forest Reviewed April 29, 2020 This is my kind of spot becasue the areas to explore are endless. If you want to do some dispersed camping, just follow some dirt roads and look for a spot. No need to check in with anyone…just follow the rules and be smart.. Officials of Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis Nationalforests have closed some recreation areas and campgrounds in light of the covid-19 pandemic. Some campgrounds and cabins have not opened for the.

    Recommended Reading: Camping In Colorado In October

    Mill Creek Family Camp

    Image from The Dyrt camper Stephanie D.

    Located on the west side of Ouachita National Forest, 26 miles northeast of Mena, Mill Creek Family Camp will give you plenty of space to enjoy outdoor games, picnics, campfires, and group fun. This small, parklike campground offers 27 primitive sites surrounded by pine and hardwood forests on the banks of pretty Mill Creek. Site facilities include flush toilets and drinking water. Campers have access to several interpretive and hiking trails nearbygreat for wildlife spottingand swimming in a natural pool on the creek. Theres also a number of equestrian, mountain biking and ORV trails in the area. Seasonal campsites are first-come, first-serve.

    Great site for group camping. Flat open fields for yards games. Nice creek running by.The Dyrt camper Stephanie D.

    Whether youre out to hit the trails, cast a line, or just kick back under shady trees, theres a place to play, and stay, in Ouachita National Forest.

    Related Campgrounds:

    White River Launch Dispersed Camping

    Caney Creek, Hickory Nut Campground, Lake Ouachita Vista: Dispersed Camping Ouachita National Forest

    You can expect a feeling of solitude at White River Launch broken only by people occasionally driving by to use the boat launch. You can still hear the highway in the distance, but this pretty area has a few secluded spots near the water. The road is mostly gravel but dirt in some places. Theres a truck stop nearby for supplies, and it has a dump station.

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    Free Dump Station In Hot Springs Ar

    After youve spent some relaxing time in the wilderness and you realize your RV might not make it up another hill before visiting a dump station, head on over to the E-Z Mart in Hot Springs, AR. They have a free dump station over there with your name on it.

    Youll find it at:107 Mountain Pine RoadHot Springs, Arkansas 71913

    Driving Directions: at intersection of Mountain Pine Road / Albert Pike , on the East side of the parking lot, small sign says RV Dump and sits about 2 feet off the ground behind some bushes

    Backcountry Camping In Oklahoma

    When you’re ready to ditch the traditional campground scene and break out on your own, make the trek to these remote camping options in Oklahoma.

    Continue reading below

    A special thanks to our advertisers

    Theres no better way to reconnect with nature than with a peaceful excursion into the wilderness. Those looking for relaxation and solitude will find it with this list of backcountry camping opportunities in each region of Oklahoma. As an added bonus, camping in many of these locations is completely free!

    Also Check: Cool Places To Go Camping

    Get The Right Maps In Gaia Gps

    The best maps to plan for off-grid camping in National Forests include:

    • USFS Classic: This map offers detailed coverage in many designated USFS areas.
    • USFS 2016: An update to USFS Classic, the 2016 map shows some forest service roads missing on the Classic map, but lacks private boundaries. Read more about USFS 2016 here.
    • Gaia Topo: The proprietary Gaia GPS base map this map rocks. If youre not using it yet why?
    • Public Land : A shaded map meant to overlay on any basemap. The important color youre looking for here is green, which means US Forest Service.
    • MVUM : The USFS Motor Vehicle Use Maps overlay shows roads styled to indicate seasonality and accessibility. Tap a road for details on use restrictions and access dates.
    • USFS Roads & Trails: An overlay of maintained routes, 4×4 trails, backroads, and little-known paths across U.S. national forests and grasslands. All roads are labeled to indicate their level of maintenance and accessibility by passenger vehicles.

    A Premium Membership allows you access to these maps and the ability to layer maps together. This feature is key so that you can layer Public Land with USFS maps for the ultimate free campsite search experience.

    Camping In Hot Springs National Park

    Pin by Romain on MAPS

    Given the relatively small size of the park and its urban surroundings, camping options are limited inside Hot Springs National Park. Backcountry and dispersed camping are not permitted anywhere inside the park. The only place you can camp within Hot Springs National Park is at the Gulpha Gorge Campground, but fortunately, this is an excellent option.

    With a shady and idyllic location on the banks of Gulpha Creek, Gulpha Gorge Campground accommodates both tents and RVs and gives campers easy proximity to trails, bathhouses, the Visitor Center, and other attractions. It is open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis.

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    Ouachita National Forest Location

    Dispersed RV camping is permitted on the Ouachita National Forest. Some camping rules exist. Typical USDA Forest Service rules are 14 day limited stay before moving to a new location. The distance you may need to move may vary by location, so you should consult with the local USFS office for rules and restrictions.

    Properly Dispose Of Waste

    Visitors who dont properly manage human waste, washing or garbage contaminate water and attract animals to campsites.

    Human Waste Dispersed camping often means no toilet facilities. Extra care must be taken to properly dispose of human waste.

    • To dispose of feces, dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 100 feet from any water source, campsites or trails.
    • When youre done, fill the hole with the dirt you dug up and place your toilet paper in a sealed Ziploc baggie for disposal in a proper waste container.
    • Empty built-in or portable toilets at sanitary dump stations.

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    Rattlesnake Road Boat Launch

    Back in Hazen outside Little Rock, you can do some fishing or kayaking in the pond or just enjoy the scenery at Rattlesnake Road boat launch. Its almost like having your own private pond, especially if there arent many other campers sharing the space.

    However, you wont be able to do much working online because cell service is severely limited. Road noise from the highway is considerable, but its a nice spot, and you cant beat the price.

    What Is Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed Camping Ouachita National Forest

    Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services such as trash removal, and little or no facilities such as tables and fire pits, are provided. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets.

    There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.

    Visitors are primarily responsible for their own safety. Keep in mind, trails and roads may be open for use, but please recreate responsibly and follow public health guidelines regarding social distancing while you recreate in National Forests. Law enforcement and search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19 issues. High risk activities such as rock climbing or motorized activities that increase your chance of injury or distress should be avoided. For the most current and accurate information about COVID-19, contact your local health officials or visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov. Information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is available at: www.usda.gov/coronavirus.

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    Camping Near You Find A Free Campsite

    Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we’ve got you covered. You can simply use your smart phone’s GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.

    Our community provides the best free camping information available. Free campgrounds can be hard to find. Freecampsites.net makes it easy. We give you a simple, map based search engine to find free and cheap camping areas. Community reviews and ratings provide you with up to date information and help you select the best camp site for your next camping trip.

    This is a platform for sharing campgrounds and camp sites you have discovered. We are community driven, and while we will be adding many free camping spots, we hope that you will add some of your favorite camping places as well. By sharing camping information freely, we can all spend less time researching campgrounds, spend less money, and more time camping. If everyone contributes a few campsites, we’ll all have more places to go camping.

    Please come back and let us know what you find!

    We are not actively seeking Wal-Marts, truckstops or other parking lots and will not be adding very many of these. There are enough Wal-Mart and truck stop directories out there already. However, if a member of the community finds one of these locations to be useful for overnight RV parking and creates an entry, we may approve the listing.

    Please come back and let us know what you find!

    County Road 122 Dispersed Camping

    GPS: 34.836070, -91.548856

    About the Campsite: This dispersed free camping area is along a county road in the Mike Freeze Wattensaw Wildlife Management Area near Hazen, Arkansas.

    County Road 122 camping is primarily used as a hunting area. It has many well-marked campsites. However, there are no hookups or amenities here.

    Reported Cell Service: Cell signal has been reported as decent on all major cell phone carriers.

    Arkansas Free Camping Vibes: 7/10. This is a good site for an overnight stop, and nearby Little Rock provides excellent options for supplies.

    Recommended Reading: Crater Lake National Park Camping

    Going To The Bathroom In The Woods:

    Dispersed camping means no bathrooms and no outhouses. That means extra care has to be taken in disposing of human waste. To dispose of feces, dig a hole six inches deep at least 100 feet away from any water source. When you are done, fill the hole with the dirt you dug up and take your toilet paper with you to dispose of in a proper waste container. Never defecate or leave toilet paper on top of the ground. It could easily get into the local water source and contaminate it.

    Ouachita National Forest Dispersed Camping Tips

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    Camp on bare soil if possible, to avoid damage or killing plants and grass.Do NOT camp within 100 feet of any water source, plants near water are especially fragile.Do not camp in the middle of a clearing or meadow try to make your campsite less visible so that other visitors will see a wild settingDo not try to level or dig trenches in the ground at your campsite. Pick a tent site that is already level with good drainage.

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    Boondocking with Bowie and Roxanne Lincoln National Forest near Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Dispersed camping in Lincoln National Forest near Cloudcroft, New Mexico. vanmando Published April 14, 2021 44 Views. … Ouachita National Forest. Dome Life. 4m45s. Winter Tarp Camping in the Hoosier National Forest. ThatHikingGuy. Lake views & crystals @ Ouachita National Forest. April 21, 2021. Ouachita National Forest was a pleasant surprise. Little did we expect to find one of the most beautiful lake sunsets wed ever seen here. Before we arrived, we made a quick little detour to a skatepark. With the skies being so blue and concrete painted red, Phil soured high. Ouachita National Forest 100 Reserve Street P.O. Box 1270 Federal Building Hot Springs, AR 71902 321-5202 You will need to explore these areas to find good free camping sites.. lakota birth rituals fifa 21 kit creator download After finding a new camping spot, we set up our tent. We found some amazing stuff!.

    2017 get home bag dispersedcamping, hiking, having fun.Help support my channel by shopping here at no additional cost to you: https://survivalsnake.w….

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