Bear Creek Horse Camp serves as a primitive equestrian base in the Ouachita National Forest at 34.78571,-93.15988. The elevation in this region ranges from 600 to 2,700 feet with mixed pine-hardwood forests typical of the Ouachita Mountains. Temperatures fluctuate seasonally with summer highs averaging 90°F and winter lows reaching the 20s, affecting camping conditions throughout the year.
What to do
Trail riding: Access the interconnected Bear Creek Equestrian Trail system directly from Bear Creek Horse Camp. Trails are open to both equestrians and hikers with multiple loop options of varying difficulty. "The camp serves as a small primitive camping area for equestrian riders on the network of interconnecting loop trails that comprise the Bear Creek Equestrain Trail system," notes Fred S.
Hiking: Explore the Falls Branch Trail at Lake Catherine State Park which features a waterfall and moderate terrain suitable for most skill levels. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," writes Alison C.
Water activities: Rent kayaks at Lake Catherine for calm water paddling. The lake offers protected coves and minimal boat traffic. "It's a great lake for kayaking as the water was calm and there were only a couple of boats on the water," reports Alison C.
What campers like
Secluded camping: Campsites at Mount Magazine State Park provide privacy despite limited quantity. "The camping spaces are large and accommodating, most are level and can fit almost anything you travel in," notes Charles H. Sites are well-spaced with natural buffers between them.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening animal sightings are common around Ouachita Lake campgrounds. "Cattle roam the pastures. Wildlife sitings: Eagle, White-tail Deer, Wild Hogs, Birds, Squirrel, and more," explains Susan E. from Erwin Estate High Point.
Scenic views: Elevated campgrounds offer panoramic vistas. "180+ degree view overlooking Benton to Malvern to Greater Hot Springs," reports Susan E. about Erwin Estate High Point. The higher elevation campgrounds provide cooler temperatures during summer months.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to some horse camps have seasonal erosion issues. "Some minor erosion on FR772 where small creeks cross the road. FR11 is in good condition at the time of this visit," reports Fred S. about Bear Creek Horse Camp.
Campground facilities: DeGray Lake Resort State Park offers more developed facilities than primitive horse camps. "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," notes Jason W.
Reservation needs: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "This SP will fill up quickly in the spring and fall, reservations are recommend," advises Chad K. about Lake Catherine State Park. Horse camps typically operate on first-come, first-served basis with limited sites.
Tips for camping with families
Choose family-friendly trails: Select appropriate hiking distances for children. "The hike up to the highest point in Arkansas is easy and family friendly for kids," recommends Jeremy C. from Mount Nebo State Park.
Pack for temperature changes: Mountain campgrounds experience significant temperature variations. "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," warns Donny S. about Mount Magazine State Park.
Bring entertainment: Limited connectivity means planning offline activities. "Just 15 minutes from beautiful Hot Springs, Arkansas!" notes Susan E., providing a backup option for family outings from Erwin Estate High Point during extended stays.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Mountain roads limit RV access. "At the base of the climb, signs posted numerous times, 'Crooked and Steep, no trailers over 24 ft'," warns Dave V. about Mount Nebo State Park. Measure your rig length before attempting steep access roads.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven sites at primitive equestrian camping areas. "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," reports Ray & Terri F. about DeGray Lake State Park.
Connectivity issues: Cell service varies dramatically by location and carrier. "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," notes Ray & Terri F.
