Best Equestrian Camping near Mount Ida, AR
Bear Creek Horse Camp offers primitive equestrian camping in the Ouachita National Forest, approximately 1 mile north of Forest Road 11 on Forest Road 772. The camp provides four sites available on a first-come, first-served basis, with two official national forest sites featuring metal fire rings and two dispersed sites with rock fire rings. Hitching posts are available throughout the camp for securing horses. A clean vault toilet is located at the rear of the camping area. The grounds accommodate tent and hammock camping, though they do not appear to be regularly maintained. Small erosion issues exist where creeks cross Forest Road 772, while Forest Road 11 remains in good condition. Sites are mostly shaded, making solar recharging challenging.
The Bear Creek Equestrian Trail system can be accessed directly from the trailhead located at the rear of the camp. This network features interconnecting loop trails open to both equestrian riders and hikers. A small creek runs alongside the camp, providing water access. While the camp itself is described as not aesthetically pleasing, it sits deep within a beautiful forested area with excellent trail access. The camp is positioned on the western edge of the Deckard Mountain Walk-in Turkey Hunting Area. T-Mobile cell service is not available at this location. No fees are required for camping at this primitive horse camp. Note that despite its continued use, the Ouachita National Forest website may no longer list this as an official campground.