Bear Creek Horse Camp provides primitive equestrian facilities for riders exploring the Ouachita National Forest. Located near Caddo Gap, Arkansas, this rustic campground sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation in dense forest terrain. While primarily designed for horse owners, the camp connects to hiking trails that traverse the region's mountainous landscape where temperatures range from 30°F in winter to 90°F in summer.
What to do
Trail riding: Access the Bear Creek Equestrian Trail system directly from Bear Creek Horse Camp. Trails vary in length and difficulty through diverse forest terrain. "Located deep in a beautiful forest with easy access to a trail system," notes Fred S., who adds that "hitching posts are available in the camp."
Fishing: Cast a line at Erwin Estate High Point about 32 miles from Caddo Gap. Their stocked pond provides reliable catches. "Our natural spring pond is a place to fish where it's an almost guaranteed catch as we have stocked it well!" says Susan E., who maintains the property with her family.
Hiking: Explore trails at Lake Catherine State Park, located within an hour's drive. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," shares Alison C., who visited with family.
What campers like
Secluded atmosphere: The forest setting at CMA Iron Mountain offers peace away from crowds. "This campground is located right off of Hwy 71 for easy access. Plenty of room for big rigs. Just a short ride to the Wolf Pen Gap trail system. Located in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains, 7 miles south of Mena," explains John, highlighting its accessibility despite the secluded feel.
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained amenities at CMA Iron Mountain. "Bathrooms and showers are spotless. The staff is extremely kind and helpful," reports Norbert B., who tent camped off his motorcycle.
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings support diverse wildlife. At Erwin Estate High Point, visitors might spot "Eagle, White-tail Deer, Wild Hogs, Birds, Squirrel, and more," according to their property information, providing opportunities for nature photography.
What you should know
Limited amenities: Bear Creek Horse Camp offers minimal facilities. "The camp itself is not aesthetically pleasing, but it is located deep in a beautiful forest with easy access to a trail system," reports Fred S., who also noted "a very clean vault toilet located at the rear of the camp."
Cell service challenges: Connectivity varies throughout the region. At Bear Creek Horse Camp, one visitor reported "no T-Mobile cell service" and noted that "sites are mostly shaded making solar recharging and Starlink access a challenge."
Weather considerations: The Ouachita region experiences hot summers and mild winters. For those camping at Lake Catherine State Park, weather can impact water activities. "We enjoyed the hiking trails and rented a few kayaks. It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm," shares Alison C., suggesting early morning or evening paddling during summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Easy access sites: For families with young children, choose campsites with convenient facilities. "We took my nieces on a weekend trip in our camper to Lake Catherine State Park. Our campsite backed up to the lake, so we had a great view. The campsite was a great size and well spaced out from our neighbors. There were trees to hang our hammocks," recommends Alison C.
Plan for rain: Weather can change quickly in the mountains. At CMA Iron Mountain Cabins, one family had to adjust: "Unfortunately we got rained out hours later. The manager (John) even wanted us to stay in a storm shelter room if the rain got worse," explains Rocky F., highlighting the helpful staff during inclement weather.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with designated recreation areas. At Lake Catherine, families appreciate the accessible waterfront. "We had a site overlooking the lake. We had plenty of room to hang our hammocks and play yard games," notes Alison C. during her second visit to the park.
Tips from RVers
Access road considerations: Some horse campgrounds near Caddo Gap, Arkansas have limited access. At DeGray Lake Resort State Park, one RVer commented on road conditions: "The CG roads are paved, but narrow, winding, and fairly bumpy in spots," observes Ray & Terri F., who traveled in a 36-foot Class A with a tow vehicle.
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at many forest service campgrounds. Ray & Terri note that "few if any of the sites in this section of the CG were anywhere close to level and our site, one of the few pull-throughs, was one of the worst, I mean seriously sloped even after ratcheting up the front levelers as far as they'd go."
Trailer parking: For equestrian campers, trailer parking availability varies. While Bear Creek Horse Camp accommodates horse trailers, larger rigs might find better options at established campgrounds like CMA Iron Mountain, which Jason L. notes has "a hard time getting in/out of places with a semi" but found this location workable.
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