Bear Creek Horse Camp provides primitive equestrian camping in the Ouachita National Forest with four sites and vault toilets. Located 7 miles south of Mena along Forest Road 772, this free campground serves riders exploring the Bear Creek Equestrian Trail system. The camp includes hitching posts for horses and accommodates tent and hammock camping in mostly shaded sites. While not luxurious, the location offers immediate access to riding trails and beautiful forest surroundings. Cell service is limited, and solar charging may be challenging due to tree cover.
What to do
Trail riding: The Bear Creek Horse Camp serves as a trailhead for interconnecting loop trails designed for equestrians. According to Fred S., "These trails are also open to hikers. The trailhead is located at the rear of the camp."
Climbing: Mount Magazine State Park Campground offers unique rock climbing opportunities. "Magazine is one of the few parks that offers climbers great opportunities to work their skills. The park essentially sits on top of a bluff that is nearly surrounded on all sides by straight rock face," notes Donny S.
Fishing: The lakes and creeks throughout the region provide fishing opportunities. At DeGray Lake Resort State Park, Jason W. mentions that "Great swimming beaches and shore fishing are available too."
What campers like
Mountain views: At Mount Magazine State Park, campers praise the expansive vistas. Charles H. states, "But the views ARE the reason to experience this park! They are simply delicious!"
Clean facilities: Horse campgrounds near Oden, Arkansas often maintain good bathroom facilities despite their rustic nature. At CMA Iron Mountain Cabins and Campground, Jason L. appreciates the "INSTANT hot water, no waiting for 10 minutes for luke warm water. About a dozen of each... toilets, showers, urinals."
Secluded sites: Many campers value the privacy at campgrounds in this region. Donny S. notes about Mount Magazine, "Each site is large and the camping area is spread out quite a bit. It's a great place to achieve some seclusion."
What you should know
Weather considerations: The elevation affects temperatures at mountain campgrounds. Donny S. warns, "The temperature is literally about 10-15 degrees cooler on the mountain than below. One night we were there it got down to mid teens."
Cell service limitations: Connection can be spotty in this forested region. Ray & Terri F. report at DeGray Lake, "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."
Road conditions: Forest roads to equestrian campgrounds may present challenges. Fred S. notes about Bear Creek Horse Camp, "Some minor erosion on FR772 where small creeks cross the road. FR11 is in good condition at the time of this visit."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly hikes: Some trails are better suited for children than others. Jeremy C. recommends, "The hike up to the highest point in Arkansas is easy and family friendly for kids" at Mount Magazine State Park.
Campground selection: Not all parks cater equally to families with children. Donny S. cautions, "For anyone with kids, I would say at the outset that this isn't a very kid-friendly park. No playgrounds, very, very mountainous, and generally just not a park for kids."
Water activities: During summer months, look for campgrounds with swimming access. Stacy M. shares about DeGray Lake: "The water was just beautiful. We fished and skipped stones and if it had been a touch bit warmer, we would've even taken a dip in the water too."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. Ray & Terri F. warn, "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."
Access for larger rigs: Some equestrian campgrounds near Oden can accommodate bigger setups. At Boondockers Landing, Kala V. notes it's "Roomy, with large shade trees, cement pads and all services."
Camping self-sufficiency: Many horse camps have minimal amenities. John mentions that CMA Iron Mountain has "After hours checkin is still by the honor system!!" which indicates the need to be self-reliant at many of these more remote locations.
