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Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground offers facilities specifically designed for camping with horses near Mena, Arkansas. Located within the Ouachita National Forest, this established campground features electric hookups, picnic tables, and designated areas for horses. The campground maintains clean bathroom facilities with hot showers that are accessible to all campsites. The 2-mile hiking trail around the perimeter of Cedar Lake provides excellent opportunities for both riders and hikers to enjoy the natural setting. Each campsite includes a tent pad, picnic table, grill, lantern poles, fire pit, and a small food preparation area.
Trail access directly from the campground connects riders to the surrounding Ouachita National Forest trail system. Cedar Lake's North Shore area accommodates both tent campers and RVs with horses, offering 30-amp electric hookups, water access, and sewer connections at select sites. The campground provides a peaceful setting among tall pine trees with some sites positioned right off the lake. Heavily forested with pines, the campground offers a serene environment even during busy periods. Located near the Talimena Scenic Drive, riders can access additional trails with spectacular mountain views, particularly notable during fall when the foliage changes color. Visitors consistently note the quiet, peaceful atmosphere and the well-maintained trails that make Cedar Lake a preferred destination for equestrian camping throughout the year.
"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."
"I drive truck, always have a hard time getting in/out of places with a semi and usually end up not getting to camp. The main pavilion in the center of the grounds is HUGE!"
from $12 - $105 / night
Check Availability"If you want to hike, there are more hiking trails and equestrian trails than you could actually accomplish even in fourteen days. The GPS points are all over the map."
"we took a group of Trail Life boys there and we had a good time. There are plenty of good trails near by and we used Cedar Lake as our basecamp."
from $15 - $40 / night
Check Availability"The ATV trails are around camp and the noise from the machines buzzing by can be a lot, but it wasn’t a busy weekend so not too bad."
"This was such a cool place and a perfect distance away from everything. There were plenty of options for camping spots but also plenty of people there that you don’t feel completely alone."
"This is as near perfect as you can get!"
from $30 / night
"I’ve lived in OK for 30+ years and didn’t know of Cedar Lake in the Quachita mountains near Heavener, OK. It’s incredible!! Clean site, right in the national forest."
"It’s wonderful in the fall when the leaves are changing, the days are cooler, and the nights are perfect for gathering around a camp fire."
from $10 - $23 / night
Check Availability"Super close to the Talimena Scenic Drive and Horse Thief Spring and plenty of ATV/UTV trails. The park hosts were amazing and came to check on us throughout our stay."
"With so many trails that you can access just by walking out of the camp site. This is my favorite spot to camp in Oklahoma"
"Buffalo, horses and awesome amounts of fish! We stayed here in a duplex cabin and could just fish right out our back door. They have hiking trails and 2 private lakes."
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $45 / night
Check Availability
GuideThis 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.
After hours checkin is still by the honor system!!
LegendThis place genuinely is amazing. If you want to hike, there are more hiking trails and equestrian trails than you could actually accomplish even in fourteen days. The GPS points are all over the map. Essentially, come down to Cedar Lake. And there are two group campgrounds, a spot called shady lane equestrian, campground, and then the campground right on the water, they're all terrific. Most nights there wasn't anybody here. I spent four nights in the equestrian, campground and two nights in shady lane absolutely terrific.
TravelerWe will BE back!! I’ve lived in OK for 30+ years and didn’t know of Cedar Lake in the Quachita mountains near Heavener, OK. It’s incredible!! Clean site, right in the national forest. At the time we went they had a camp host that met you, took you to your site, and checked in on us several times during our three night stay. She was really friendly, helpful, and our two boys thought she was the best when she gave them Smokey the Bear pins! While they do have bathroom and shower facilities our section of camps were down along with several others do to septic tank system issues that they were waiting on parts to arrive to fix. They provided portable toilets in the interim which worked fine. There is a really fun trail that runs right around the entire lake, and it’s a little over two miles. Nearly all natural terrain throughout the hike which makes it especially nice. Though we didn’t visit they have a section also for equestrian camping and riding as well as RV hookup sites. Can’t speak highly enough of this camping area!
GuideThis place was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! So beautiful with all the pine trees and being so far out from everything. The closest store/town is about 45 minutes so be sure to bring everything you need with you. Super close to the Talimena Scenic Drive and Horse Thief Spring and plenty of ATV/UTV trails. The park hosts were amazing and came to check on us throughout our stay. The park was still under construction for upgrades and repairs to their septic systems and equipment but didn’t bother us. We will DEFINITELY be returning with friends because it’s just to pretty not too!!!!
ScoutThis is our all time favorite camping spot. It’s wonderful in the fall when the leaves are changing, the days are cooler, and the nights are perfect for gathering around a camp fire.
The bathrooms are clean and positioned well to make them accessible to all the camp sites.
The trail around the lake is flat and easy but other more difficult trails aren’t far away.
TravelerBuffalo, horses and awesome amounts of fish! We stayed here in a duplex cabin and could just fish right out our back door. They have hiking trails and 2 private lakes. The RV area looked new because all of the power boxes had 50/30 and 120 outlets and breakers which is super cool. All of the sites had sewer and water connections too.
ScoutThis campground is beautiful. Clean showers with hot water. swimming for the kids and a playground. There are sites for people with horses also. And you can go up on the mountain to catch the views.
TravelerSmall 12 site, no reservation campgrounds for mostly tents. About half are on the creek and the views and running creek sounds are very relaxing. Downsides are there was no water, no restrooms (they were padlocked) and no electricity. The ATV trails are around camp and the noise from the machines buzzing by can be a lot, but it wasn’t a busy weekend so not too bad. All this was fine for us as we tent camp but the wife wasn’t happy about the restrooms being out of service. There are a lot of trails nearby that are mixed use (horses, ATV’s, hikers) and we had fun crossing the river and hiking. If you cross the river you will probably get wet feet but the hiking was great. Overall it was pretty and kept the family entertained and wanting to return. Summer time would be great to swim in the creek.
TravelerThis was such a cool place and a perfect distance away from everything. There were plenty of options for camping spots but also plenty of people there that you don’t feel completely alone.
Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground offers horseback riding facilities in the Ouachita National Forest region of Arkansas and Oklahoma. The campground sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation within mountainous terrain characterized by tall pine forests. Equestrian camping sites near Mena provide access to extensive trail networks with some routes connecting directly to the campground areas. Weather conditions vary seasonally with hot summers and mild winters making spring and fall optimal for horseback camping trips.
Trail riding outside the campground: Cedar Lake area connects to several trails with mountain views in the Ouachita National Forest. Cedar Lake North Shore features easy access to longer routes. "Lots of great hiking trails nearby and the scenic Talimena scenic drive is beautiful, especially in the fall," notes camper Kelly Z.
Fishing from shore: Cast for bass, crappie and catfish from designated areas along the shoreline. Long Lake Resort offers abundant fishing opportunities. "We stayed here in a duplex cabin and could just fish right out our back door. They have hiking trails and 2 private lakes," reports Cynthia H.
Swimming and cooling off: The lake provides swimming areas during summer months when temperatures typically reach into the 90s. Several campgrounds maintain designated swim areas with gradual entry points for safer water access.
Clean facilities: Many equestrian campsites maintain well-kept bathhouses and shower facilities. CMA Iron Mountain Cabins and Campground earns praise for upkeep. "Bathrooms and showers are spotless. The staff is extremely kind and helpful," states Norbert B.
Privacy between sites: Campsite spacing provides good separation for horse campers. "The campsite spots themselves are pretty big in size and are separated by trees and bushes. Feels very private," mentions Ashley W. about Cedar Lake (Oklahoma).
Peaceful atmosphere: The heavily forested setting creates a tranquil camping environment. "This campground is heavily forested with pine trees... Normally when we would go (in the fall and spring) it was not very crowded," notes Kelly Z.
Limited supplies nearby: Stock up before arrival as stores are distant. "The closest store/town is about 45 minutes so be sure to bring everything you need with you," cautions Kristi B. from Ouachita National Forest Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp.
Wildlife encounters: Expect to share trails with local fauna including wild turkeys and occasionally snakes. "Saw a ton of wild turkeys and two cottonmouth snakes," reports Amelia S.
Trail conditions vary seasonally: Spring brings muddy sections while late summer trails can become overgrown. "Be warned however that the trails can be overgrown in the late Summer/Fall as a recent fire cleared some of the trees on the trail," advises Tom K.
Pack extra supplies: The remote location requires thorough preparation with sufficient food, water and gear. "We camped, so I'm not sure if the RV spots are set up for electricity. The lake nearby is great. We brought our kayaks and had so much fun hitting the lake in the morning," shares Ashley W.
Morning activities: Start early for best experiences with less crowding. "It does get busy as the day goes on, especially in the summer on the weekends. Hiking is great, and there are multiple good spots nearby. Again, go early to beat the crowds!" recommends Ashley W.
Look for natural experiences: Matthew E. appreciates the direct trail access: "With so many trails that you can access just by walking out of the camp site. This is my favorite spot to camp in Oklahoma."
Water and electric hookups: Most RV sites offer 30-amp service with water connections at each site. Some locations provide sewer hookups at select spots.
Level parking pads: Many equestrian sites feature concrete or asphalt pads that accommodate rigs with horse trailers. "Asphalt and gravel sites. Clean bathrooms. Water and electric only," notes Jennifer O.
Quiet hours enforcement: Campgrounds maintain noise restrictions after 10pm. "They do have a quiet hour which is after 10pm. This is nice because there aren't people partying all night long," explains Ashley W.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mena, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mena, AR is CMA Iron Mountain Cabins and Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mena, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Mena, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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