Bear Creek Horse Camp is a small equestrian-focused campground in the Ouachita National Forest. Located about one mile north of Forest Road 11, it provides direct access to the Bear Creek Equestrian Trail system. The camp includes four primitive sites with either metal or rock fire rings. Hitching posts accommodate horses, and a vault toilet serves the grounds. While primarily designed for equestrian use, hikers can also access the interconnecting loop trails from the trailhead at the rear of the camp.
What to do
Hiking at Mount Magazine: Mount Magazine State Park offers several trail options for visitors. "The hike up to the highest point in Arkansas is easy and family friendly for kids," notes Jeremy C. The park sits at 2,753 feet, making it the highest point in the state with unique perspectives of the surrounding landscape.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Catherine State Park provides excellent fishing access. "We absolutely love it here. Wonderful trails, fishing, cabins and camp sites and tons of photo opportunities," shares Tina B. The park's lake setting creates diverse angling opportunities for visitors of various skill levels.
Horseback riding: The Bear Creek Horse Camp trail system offers extensive riding through the national forest. The interconnecting loop trails accommodate both riders and hikers, with the trailhead directly accessible from the camp area. This makes it one of the primary horse campgrounds near Mountain Pine, Arkansas for riders exploring the Ouachita National Forest.
Photography at DeGray Lake: "Depending on where you are in the park you can see the Ouachita mountains in the horizon. Great place for photo enthusiast with Beautiful sunsets and an abundance of wildlife," reports Tina B. about DeGray Lake Resort State Park. The lake's position relative to the mountains creates unique lighting conditions throughout the day.
What campers like
Scenic lakefront sites: "Our campsite backed up to the lake, so we had a great view. The campsite was a great size and well spaced out from our neighbors. There were trees to hang our hammocks," shares Alison C. about her experience at Lake Catherine State Park. The lakefront positioning allows direct water views from selected campsites.
Water recreation options: DeGray Lake Resort State Park offers multiple water-based activities. "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. The park accommodates various watercraft with substantial parking facilities.
Mountain views: The elevated positions of several equestrian campgrounds near Mountain Pine provide exceptional vistas. "The experience begins with the climb: the road winds up and around the bends and crooks of the mountain," describes Charles H. about Mount Magazine State Park. The approach itself becomes part of the camping experience.
Wildlife encounters: "I remember coming to Lake Degray as a teenager to swim but was even more impressed coming back as a camper with kiddos," says Stacy M. "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."
What you should know
Campsite reservations: Popular parks 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. Planning ahead ensures site availability during busy periods.
Road conditions to horse camps: Some forest roads have erosion issues. "Some minor erosion on FR772 where small creeks cross the road. FR11 is in good condition," notes Fred S. about Bear Creek Horse Camp. Four-wheel drive vehicles may be necessary during wet conditions on certain access roads.
Elevation considerations: Mount Nebo State Park has significant elevation changes affecting access. "It was such a nice campsite and the staff was super helpful. The views were amazing. The drive up the mountain is seriously windy though, so be cautious," advises Rebecca P. The access road has steep grades that may challenge certain vehicles.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across the region's campgrounds. "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," reports Ray & Terri F. about their experience at DeGray Lake. Service tends to be better at higher elevations and worse in valleys.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly trails: Lake Catherine offers accessible hiking options. "We really enjoyed hiking the Falls Branch Trail with my nieces (8 and 10 years old). I would highly recommend this trail," suggests Alison C. This trail features terrain manageable for elementary-age children with points of interest that maintain their engagement.
Safety considerations: Mount Magazine requires extra attention with children. "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," cautions Donny S. The park's elevation and terrain present specific challenges for younger visitors.
Water activities: Erwin Estate High Point offers fishing opportunities suitable for families. "Our natural spring pond is a place to fish where it's an almost guaranteed catch as we have stocked it well!" notes Susan E. The stocked pond provides reliable fishing experiences even for novice anglers.
Weather preparation: "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. Families should pack layers and appropriate sleeping gear, even during warmer seasons.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Mount Nebo has strict vehicle limitations. "Turning off I-40 at Exit 88, Mount Nebo is viewed less than 10 miles southwest…a stand-alone mountain. At the base of the climb, signs posted numerous times, 'Crooked and Steep, no trailers over 24 ft'," reports Dave V. These restrictions are strictly enforced due to the steep, winding access road.
Campsite leveling: Many mountain sites require leveling equipment. "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," explains Ray & Terri F. Bringing additional leveling blocks is advisable for most mountain campgrounds in the region.
Full hookup availability: "We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 12 for 1 night in mid September. The CG is clean and well maintained but showing its age. The CG roads are paved, but narrow, winding, and fairly bumpy in spots," notes Ray & Terri F. Larger rigs should research specific site dimensions before booking.
