Arkansas Jeepers

[DCPHOENIX]

Hi all.

Moved from the southern deserts of AZ to Central AR a few months ago.

Looking for good, fun trails and camping spot recommendations in the Ouachita and Ozarks.
Any issues with camping in those areas during hunting season?

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[Hootbro]

Any issues with camping in those areas during hunting season?

Formerly from Arkansas (Judsonia) myself. Unless you are camping in a federal/state park in a designated camping area, I would not recommend casually camping off area during Deer season.

Also, people are territorial about their deer camps so if you find some area that looks good to camp one day, you might wake up the next day to 4-5 groups of people who will tell you that you are in their camp area they have used for years and will forcibly/kindly ask you to move along.

Depending where you go, it can range from normal people one minute and then to a scene out of the movie Deliverance, especially around the wildlife refuge between Bald Knob and Augusta.

 

[Rusty PW]

In other words. If you hear dueling banjos. You're in trouble. Ball gag not included.

My brother in law just moved to Mountain Home. When I go out to visit. what is good places to hit?

 

[Reignkinge]

I’ve been in Arkansas (Little Rock area) for about 20 years, but I just got my JT about two months ago.

The hot springs off road park has some trails that are rated well, but for camping in the ozarks etc I’d say that there must be some good fire / logging road trails around the Buffalo river, but I haven’t had a chance to explore yet myself.

 

[TheSomnambulist]

people are territorial about their deer camps so if you find some area that looks good to camp one day, you might wake up the next day to 4-5 groups of people who will tell you that you are in their camp area they have used for years and will forcibly/kindly ask you to move along.

I grew up in the middle of the woods in the Hot Springs area, on land that my great-great-grandfather homesteaded, and my parents had this happen on *their property*. People found a nice spot and tried to stake a claim, without realizing they were trespassing on private property. Growing up, I never played outside during deer season without wearing something bright orange.

 

[DCPHOENIX]

I grew up in the middle of the woods in the Hot Springs area, on land that my great-great-grandfather homesteaded, and my parents had this happen on *their property*. People found a nice spot and tried to stake a claim, without realizing they were trespassing on private property. Growing up, I never played outside during deer season without wearing something bright orange.

I use OnX and Gaia so I always know what land i'm on. The whole "my family has hunted here for years" argument blows my mind.

not your land? no right to be on it

 

[Hipbilly]

I grew up in Jasper (Ozarks, buffalo, etc) but have lived in central Arkansas for 10 years.
My favorite wheeling/camping in the state is in the Piney Creek WMA north of Dover, East of Hwy7.

The route you can "overland" is known as the "High Water Mark Trail" and winds through some scenic areas of the ozarks, between dense woods, gravel roads, and the ocaisional blacktop.

you shouldn't have any of that Judsonia nonsense, if you stay close to the trails. there are a LOT of camping spots along the roads and trails, and they're all close enough to a public roadway the only way I could see getting shot is if you went on a hike pretty far off the beaten path.

4-wheelers & Side-by-sides frequent the trails year-round, doesn't make for very good hunting.

 

[Jeeper479]

Late to the party, but I live in Fort Smith and have done a lot of exploring in Arkansas. Never had any trouble. It's a beautiful state with a lot of things to offer!

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