- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Best hidden gems in ouachita national forest/Caney Creek Wilderness?
Posted on 4/12/19 at 8:09 am
Posted on 4/12/19 at 8:09 am
Looking strictly for scenery.
1
Posted on 4/12/19 at 9:22 am to bayoubengals88
I always liked Shady Lake. Some huge campsites, can't even see neighbors in some of them. Some decent trails in that area. Little Missouri Falls, etc.
Posted on 4/12/19 at 10:01 am to RogerTheShrubber
High praise for Arkansas coming from you 
Posted on 4/12/19 at 11:30 am to bayoubengals88
We vacationed up there almost every year, for at least a weekend or more. Shady Lake was my favorite because of the lack of crowds and relative privacy. The road between there and Little Mo Falls is scenic.
Posted on 4/12/19 at 1:47 pm to RogerTheShrubber
I grew up going to Shady Lake every summer and hiking Caney Creek trail every Thanksgiving break. They are both great places to go. Buckeye Trail that attaches to Caney Creek trail is much more scenic though as you are basically hiking a ridge the entire time and there is am amazing campsite on top of one of the peaks (better pack you some water in though). Eagle Rock Loop is another great hike if you want something a little bit longer with scenery that may be the best in the area.
Posted on 4/12/19 at 1:57 pm to Whitrabbt74
quote:great info. If I were to make a ~10 mile loop of Buckeye and Caney Creek trails, which is the best direction to travel or would it not matter?
I grew up going to Shady Lake every summer and hiking Caney Creek trail every Thanksgiving break. They are both great places to go. Buckeye Trail that attaches to Caney Creek trail is much more scenic though as you are basically hiking a ridge the entire time and there is am amazing campsite on top of one of the peaks (better pack you some water in though). Eagle Rock Loop is another great hike if you want something a little bit longer with scenery that may be the best in the area.
Posted on 4/12/19 at 2:24 pm to bayoubengals88
Best way to do it and how I have done it in the past is to park at Caney creek trailhead then road hike to the Buckeye trail head. Hike Buckeye and get all your elevation changes out of the way early while you are fresh and just coast the rest of the way on Caney Creek, which is a far easier trail with loads of water, and when you are done you are back at your car.
Posted on 4/12/19 at 2:58 pm to Whitrabbt74
Perfect. I’m really looking forward to this little getaway!
Posted on 4/20/19 at 5:36 pm to Whitrabbt74
Just got back and loved the hike and campground!
We clicked it at 9.9 miles. I love all of the exposed rock on the spine of the ridge.
Pretty stunning for so far south. The streams were beautiful after a big rain.
I’d like to try Mena or Magazine next (maybe this fall).
Question: Are the Ozarks or Boston Mountains that much better than Ouachita?
We clicked it at 9.9 miles. I love all of the exposed rock on the spine of the ridge.
Pretty stunning for so far south. The streams were beautiful after a big rain.
I’d like to try Mena or Magazine next (maybe this fall).
Question: Are the Ozarks or Boston Mountains that much better than Ouachita?
This post was edited on 4/20/19 at 5:38 pm
Posted on 4/20/19 at 6:00 pm to bayoubengals88
I don't think so. Might find a spot or two in the Ozarks but there's not a lot of difference.
That area is a hidden gem imo.
That area is a hidden gem imo.
Posted on 4/20/19 at 6:50 pm to RogerTheShrubber
Yes, I was astounded to see how remote it is.
You see names on a map nearby, but you don’t realize they don’t even contain a single store until you get there. I’m speaking of Athens and Umpire.
The closest town, Dierks, was 45 minutes away from the campsite, and still didn’t have a stop sign. Population 1,100.
It’s a different world.
You see names on a map nearby, but you don’t realize they don’t even contain a single store until you get there. I’m speaking of Athens and Umpire.
The closest town, Dierks, was 45 minutes away from the campsite, and still didn’t have a stop sign. Population 1,100.
It’s a different world.
Posted on 4/20/19 at 6:57 pm to bayoubengals88
My dad was from Dierks. He would take us up there in the summers, I really loved it. There are other pretty places in Arkansas but most have crowds which I dislike. I've found it a bit unusual how few people in Arkansas are even familiar with that area.
This post was edited on 4/21/19 at 5:54 am
Posted on 4/20/19 at 8:29 pm to RogerTheShrubber
Wow small world.
You’re right. The state definitely doesn’t advertise that spot. There are no hip apparel shops that promote the mountains like you’d see in North Carolina or even Fayetteville.
small world. You’re right. The state definitely doesn’t advertise that spot. There are no hip apparel shops that promote the mountains like you’d see in North Carolina or even Fayetteville.
Posted on 4/20/19 at 9:34 pm to bayoubengals88
both the hurricane creek and Richland creeks wilderness areas in the ozarks are astoundingly beautiful. both are remote as you can be and lightly traveled
my folks have a place near Pelsor so those are the places we go, but I’m going to definitely try the hike you just did
my folks have a place near Pelsor so those are the places we go, but I’m going to definitely try the hike you just did
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News