Tag Archives: Ouachita National forest

Queen Wilhelmina State Park ~Ouachita National Forest, AR

Last month I went with my men to the Ouachita National Forest.

It is one of my favorite places to go near us(about 3hrs) and we have gone several times.

This time we went on the Arkansas side and it was a wonderful surprise.

We stayed at Queen Wilhelmina State Park and it was really nice!

The bathrooms were clean with very nice showers and the campsites well maintained.

parking

We went on the Lover’s Leap Trail after getting the popup set up.

The trail entrance is near the lodge in the park.

overlook loversleaptrail loversleap

The only downside to this park is the playground being nowhere near the campground.

It is over by the lodge.

slide happyslide myboys popup creationary popupscenes screen creationary2 sunsetpopup

There were a lot of airstreams there!

So pretty!

The next morning we drove out to the Upper Kiamichi trailhead so we could hike the 5 miles back to the park.

We had planned to hike to our popup trailer and eat lunch, then hike back to the vehicle at the trailhead.

ouachitatrail trail break borderstatepark

The trail is pretty overgrown with a LOT of poison ivy.

But it is beautiful.

The boys and I ended up staying at the park instead of hiking back and Nick ran back to the vehicle(there are a lot of perks to having a husband that runs…).

That way the boys got a chance to ride the cool train they have that goes around the park!

It is a little pricey but it was fun.

train rest

The boys rested then we went to see a fire tower nearby that you can climb.

Then we checked out the town of Mena and got something to eat.

firetower steps towertop top down

Sometimes you can watch the sunset from up there!

We took some pics at some of the lookouts then we ended the evening climbing the tower again for some shots.

sunset3 sunset2

The next morning was cold and foggy where we were.

I love that weather but my youngest was not supposed to get his ear wet so we went down towards Mena a bit.

It was warm with little to no rain there!

fog earthquaketrail pinecone

We went on the Earthquake Ridge hike sometime while we were there.

I just do not remember when!

It was a lot of uphill!

There is some easy hiking right outside Mena at a Vistor Center though.

We did some hiking there also.

They were nice well maintained trails with some handicap accessible trails.

help

We packed up and started the journey home.

We stopped at a vistor center on the Oklahoma side that we had not been to in a while.

I noticed that as soon as we left the Arkansas side of the National Forest for the Oklahoma side it was like someone threw a switch.

The lookouts and trailheads were overgrown and neglected.

okside bridge

Since I live in Oklahoma I was a little saddened by the obvious neglect on our side of the forest.

We will definitely be traveling a little longer to go to the Arkansas side again!

If you have not been and live in the area, make the trip!!!

It is an absolutely beautiful place to see!

Ouachita National Forest ~Ouachita National Recreational Trail, OK

Over Mother’s day weekend we went camping and hiking in the Ouachita National Forest in SE Oklahoma.

It is one of my favorite places to go when I am feeling crowded.

I did not mean to plan this trip on Mother’s day but it was a perfect way to celebrate!

We had planned on camping in the Winding Stair Campground off of OK 1 but it was not open yet so we stayed in the backpackers camp instead.

There is a vault toilet right by the parking lot and water at the camp.

Both campgrounds have beautiful views! I loved it!

We did a small 2mile hike on Friday night after we got the tent all setup.

It was on the Winding Stair Mt. trail.

So peaceful and beautiful.

Saturday morning we took the Honda to the trailhead of the Ouachita National Recreational Trail at US 259.

We were hiking back to the Winding Stair Mt. campground (where we left our tent), camping that night and heading back to the vehicle Sunday morning.

I found the hike at backpacker.com, here.

The trailhead sign near the camp says that it is just under 7miles one way but Nicks GPS and backpacker both said closer to 8miles.

The total length of the Ouachita National Recreational trail is 192 miles.

It would be so much fun to do the whole thing!

It rained all night long Friday night so the river was a little high but still passable.

We took a lot of breaks!

It is a little more work doing long hikes with kids but totally worth it!

We told stories, sang, and did a game where you have to listen for 5 different sounds, to try and keep the boys in good moods.

My handsome man.

The boys actually did best while doing the most difficult part of the hike.

You have to go up the mountain in a series of switchbacks and it is quite the climb.

They were a train the whole way up though so they loved it.

We made it back to camp in about 5hours.

Not bad for a 4 and 5yr old!

The above picture is the boys looking for a bird to catch for dinner.

WAY too much survivorman!

They did NOT get one thankfully.

So happy and proud!

We played a little go fish.

Trying to dry gear out after the constant rain.

It is a good thing I absolutely love to hike in the rain!

I smiled a lot.

Their pet.

Happy Mother’s Day to me!

It was so hard to leave but we needed to start the hike back to the Honda.

I am glad it was so pretty because my legs were not feeling the early morning climb.

I kept encouraging the boys but I kept thinking, I do not want to do it EITHER!

I told them the story of the little engine that could and we kept saying, “I think I can, I think I can!” until we made it to the top.

They make me smile.

The one who puts up with all my crazy ideas.

So exhausted!

It was beautiful and if you have never been and live in the area, GO!!!!

Ouachita National Forest ~ OK

We first went to Ouachita National Forest in 2007.

I was about 6 or 7months along with our second at the time so we did a nice easy walk at the Kerr Nature Center.

I fell in love.

We went back the next year with two little ones and hiked Horsethief Springs.

It was beautiful!

I love driving the Talimena Scenic Drive.

The fall is the best time for that in my opinion.

This is in Oklahoma people!

It is gorgeous!

I went in 2011 with a friend of mine.

We did the Winding Stair Mt. hike for a couple miles.

You need to get out and visit this beautiful forest!

Take the Talimena Drive and enjoy living in a beautiful state!