The Ouachita National Forest, established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907 and initially named the Arkansas National Forest, covers an impressive 1.8 million acres in central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. It is the oldest and largest National Forest in the Southern Region. The forest features a diverse mix of pine and hickory trees with over 700 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
There are multiple developed recreation areas, scenic vistas, shooting ranges, historical sites, wilderness areas, and one national recreation area within the forest. Most of the developed recreation areas are open from April to September, although some sites remain accessible year-round. The Ouachita National Forest is breathtaking in every season, providing expansive views of mountains that stretch for miles.