Bear Creek Horse Camp provides access to equestrian trails through the Ouachita National Forest. Four primitive sites with hitching posts accommodate horses and riders 1 mile north of Forest Road 11. Nearby, several other horse campgrounds near Jessieville, Arkansas offer additional trail access through mixed pine and hardwood forests. The region features elevations between 600-2,300 feet with moderate humidity in summer months and cool, damp winters.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Lake Catherine State Park provides multiple riding options for equestrians. "Nice, shady, level sites with full hook-ups. Three very good trails within the park. Situated on a beautiful lake near Hot Springs, AR with a marina," notes Michael D.
Hiking with elevation: Mount Nebo State Park offers trail systems with panoramic views. "The Rim Trail is just that...a 3 1/2 mile trail running the top rim of the mountain, with long views. There are two distinct areas of the Rim Trail that can be driven to...to capture those special photos...Sunset Point and Sunrise Circle," explains Dave V.
Water recreation: Access to lakes and small creeks provides fishing and paddling opportunities throughout the region. At Lake Catherine State Park, "We enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," shares Alison C., who also mentions "We enjoyed the hiking trails and rented a few kayaks. It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm."
What campers like
Diverse camping options: DeGray Lake Resort State Park offers different camping experiences. "Close enough to Arkadelphia if you need supplies. State Park Marina and Caddo Point have very nice boat ramps with a lot of parking which is good because this place gets crowded. RV and tent sites are clean and shaded and there are yurts available for rental," reports Jason W.
Wildlife viewing: The Ouachita National Forest region supports diverse animal populations. "Wildlife sitings: Eagle, White-tail Deer, Wild Hogs, Birds, Squirrel, and more. Onsite catch and release pond bass fishing (bring your own gear)," reports Susan E. at Erwin Estate High Point, who also notes that "Occasionally, we even have a Golden Eagle that will make an appearance!"
Seasonal advantages: Camps at higher elevations provide relief from summer heat. At Mount Nebo State Park, Stan G. explains it has a "State park with swimming pool in summer. Playground and swings for young ones. Several hammock friendly sites. Hang gliders frequently use the bluffs to launch. Beautiful views of Arkansas River/Lake Dardanelle."
What you should know
Road conditions: Some forest roads require caution and appropriate vehicles. At Camp Robinson Dispersed Site, Julie A. reports "The road back to it is well maintained and we had good cell reception with AT&T and Spectrum."
Facility limitations: Most forest service equestrian campgrounds provide only basic amenities. At Sorghum Hollow Horse Camp, Athina W. notes it's "Not uncommon for horseback riders to come through. Can be rough and muddy getting down to the water."
Seasonal variations: Weather affects accessibility and conditions. According to Fred S., small creeks crossing forest roads can cause "Some minor erosion" particularly after heavy rains.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Mount Magazine State Park has family-friendly activities. "This is a very nice state park that mostly offers hiking and beautiful views. We stayed in our camper, but there is a beautiful lodge and a good restaurant here as well. The hike up to the highest point in Arkansas is easy and family friendly for kids," shares Jeremy C.
Beginner-friendly trails: Start with shorter trail segments for younger riders or hikers. At Mount Magazine, "The camping spaces are large and accommodating, most are level and can fit almost anything you travel in," notes Charles H.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds may experience varying noise levels. Tiffany H. mentions at Lake Catherine that "The only reason I didn't give a 5 is the partying kids across from us. They partied hard cussing and loud music until 3 am two nights in a row."
Tips from RVers
Road grade limitations: Mountain access roads often restrict larger vehicles. At Mount Nebo State Park, Jackie F. advises "I would recommend calling ahead and seeing if you can get the site on the Bluff it looked beautiful."
Leveling challenges: Some campsites require additional equipment for comfortable setup. Ray & Terri F. report at DeGray Lake "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."
Cell and internet connectivity: Coverage varies significantly. At Camp Robinson, Julie A. notes "We had good cell reception with AT&T and Spectrum" while at DeGray Lake, Ray & Terri F. caution "AT&T coverage was basically nonexistent with 1 bar of LTE service but very little if any throughput. The CG is heavily wooded, so Starlink was unusable."
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