Ouachita National Forest
Encyclopedia
The Ouachita National Forest is a National Forest
that lies in the western portion of Arkansas
and portions of eastern Oklahoma
.
. Six locations in the Forest, comprising 65000 acres (263 km²), have been designated as wilderness
areas.
Ouachita is the French spelling of the Indian word Washita which means "good hunting grounds". The forest was known as Arkansas National Forest on its establishment on December 18, 1907; the name was changed to Ouachita National Forest on April 29, 1926.
Rich in history, the rugged and scenic Ouachita Mountains were first explored in 1541 by Hernando de Soto's
party of Spaniards
. French
explorers followed, flavoring the region with names like Fourche La Fave River
.
The area including the forest nearly became a 165000 acres (667.7 km²) National Park
during the 1920s but a last-minute veto by President
Calvin Coolidge
ended the effort.
, White Oak, Post Oak
, and Blackjack Oak
at elevations over 2500 feet (762 m) and on steep, dry slopes. These woodlands, of little commercial value, were never logged and the extent of old growth forest
within them may total nearly 800000 acres (3,237.5 km²). There are also old-growth woodlands of Eastern Redcedar, Gum Bumelia, Winged Elm
, and Yaupon along some streams.
Two wilderness areas are found in the forest, protecting the sections of the forest that have had the least amount of human intervention. The 13139 acres (53.2 km²) Black Fork Mountain Wilderness
is located in both Arkansas and Oklahoma and contains significant old-growth forests. The 9754 acres (39.5 km²) Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness
is located solely in Oklahoma.
The Talimena Scenic Drive
, which is Highway 1 in Oklahoma and Highway 88 in Arkansas, is a National Scenic Byway
which meanders through the forest providing amazing vistas and excellent photo opportunities. The Scenic Drive passes through old-growth oak woodlands on Winding Stair and Rich Mountains.
Forest headquarters are located in Hot Springs, Arkansas
.
, mountain biking
, and horseback riding trails. The most extensive hiking trail is the Ouachita National Recreation Trail
, which traverses 223 miles (358.9 km) across the region. This is a well-maintained backpacking, hiking trail with overnight shelters in several portions of the trail. Mountain biking is also allowed for some sections of the trail.
In the Oklahoma section of the forest the 26445 acres (107 km²) Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area
and six other designated areas offer visitors a full range of activities with more than 150 campsites, a 90 acres (36.4 ha) lake, and an equestrian camp.
Southeast of Idabel, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation manages the Red Slough Wildlife Mananagement Area, a 5814 acres (23.5 km²) wetland area donated to the USFS by The Conservation Fund in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Hunting (no lead shot) and fishing are allowed there. The area is also a destination for birdwatchers from throughout the United States and the United Kingdom as well.
Canoeing
and fishing
are popular activities on the Mountain Fork River, Caddo River
, Little Missouri River
, and Ouachita River
within the bounds of the forest. The Cossatot River
, said to be the most difficult whitewater river between the Smoky and Rocky Mountains, also passes through the forest.
Rockhound
s frequent a belt several miles wide containing concentrations of quartz
crystals. Visitors and rock collectors are free to pick up loose crystals within the belt for personal use and may dig for quartz with the permission of the district ranger.
district offices located in Booneville
, Danville
, Glenwood
, Jessieville, Mena
, Mount Ida
, Oden
, Perryville
, and Waldron
. In Oklahoma they are located in Hodgen
, Talihina
, and north of Broken Bow. Even though the Ouachita National Forest is far from being the largest, its twelve ranger districts are the most of any in the National Forest system. The giant Tongass National Forest
in Alaska
is second with nine ranger district divisions.
United States National Forest
National Forest is a classification of federal lands in the United States.National Forests are largely forest and woodland areas owned by the federal government and managed by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. Land management of these areas...
that lies in the western portion of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
and portions of eastern Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
.
History
The Ouachita National Forest is the oldest National Forest in the southern United States. The Forest encompasses 1784457 acres (7,221 km²), including most of the scenic Ouachita MountainsOuachita Mountains
The Ouachita Mountains are a mountain range in west central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. The range's subterranean roots may extend as far as central Texas, or beyond it to the current location of the Marathon Uplift. Along with the Ozark Mountains, the Ouachita Mountains form the U.S...
. Six locations in the Forest, comprising 65000 acres (263 km²), have been designated as wilderness
Wilderness
Wilderness or wildland is a natural environment on Earth that has not been significantly modified by human activity. It may also be defined as: "The most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet—those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with...
areas.
Ouachita is the French spelling of the Indian word Washita which means "good hunting grounds". The forest was known as Arkansas National Forest on its establishment on December 18, 1907; the name was changed to Ouachita National Forest on April 29, 1926.
Rich in history, the rugged and scenic Ouachita Mountains were first explored in 1541 by Hernando de Soto's
Hernando de Soto (explorer)
Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who, while leading the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern-day United States, was the first European documented to have crossed the Mississippi River....
party of Spaniards
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
. French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
explorers followed, flavoring the region with names like Fourche La Fave River
Fourche La Fave River
The Fourche La Fave River is a tributary of the Arkansas River, approximately long, in western Arkansas in the United States. It drains part of the northern Ouachita Mountains west of Little Rock.-Course:...
.
The area including the forest nearly became a 165000 acres (667.7 km²) National Park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
during the 1920s but a last-minute veto by President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge
John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was the 30th President of the United States . A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state...
ended the effort.
Features
The Forest contains extensive woodlands of stunted Northern Red OakNorthern Red Oak
Quercus rubra, commonly called northern red oak or champion oak, , is an oak in the red oak group . It is a native of North America, in the northeastern United States and southeast Canada...
, White Oak, Post Oak
Post oak
Quercus stellata is an oak in the white oak group. It is a small tree, typically 10–15 m tall and 30–60 cm trunk diameter, though occasional specimens reach 30 m tall and 140 cm diameter. It is native to the eastern United States, from Connecticut in the northeast, west to southern Iowa, southwest...
, and Blackjack Oak
Blackjack oak
Quercus marilandica is a small oak, one of the red oak group Quercus sect. Lobatae, but fairly isolated from the others...
at elevations over 2500 feet (762 m) and on steep, dry slopes. These woodlands, of little commercial value, were never logged and the extent of old growth forest
Old growth forest
An old-growth forest is a forest that has attained great age , and thereby exhibits unique ecological features. An old growth forest has also usually reached a climax community...
within them may total nearly 800000 acres (3,237.5 km²). There are also old-growth woodlands of Eastern Redcedar, Gum Bumelia, Winged Elm
Winged Elm
Ulmus alata, the Winged Elm or Wahoo, is a small- to medium-sized deciduous tree endemic to the southern and south-central United States.-Description:...
, and Yaupon along some streams.
Two wilderness areas are found in the forest, protecting the sections of the forest that have had the least amount of human intervention. The 13139 acres (53.2 km²) Black Fork Mountain Wilderness
Black Fork Mountain Wilderness
Black Fork Mountain Wilderness is located in the U.S. states of Arkansas and Oklahoma. Created by an act of Congress in 1984, the wilderness covers an area of 13,139 acres . Contained within Ouachita National Forest, the wilderness is managed by the U.S...
is located in both Arkansas and Oklahoma and contains significant old-growth forests. The 9754 acres (39.5 km²) Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness
Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness
The Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness is located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Created by an act of Congress in 1988, the wilderness covers an area of 9,754 acres . Contained within Ouachita National Forest, the wilderness is managed by the U.S...
is located solely in Oklahoma.
The Talimena Scenic Drive
Talimena Scenic Drive
The Talimena Scenic Drive is a National Scenic Byway in southeastern Oklahoma and extreme western Arkansas spanning a stretch of Oklahoma State Highway 1 and Arkansas Highway 88 from Talihina, Oklahoma, to Mena, Arkansas....
, which is Highway 1 in Oklahoma and Highway 88 in Arkansas, is a National Scenic Byway
National Scenic Byway
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...
which meanders through the forest providing amazing vistas and excellent photo opportunities. The Scenic Drive passes through old-growth oak woodlands on Winding Stair and Rich Mountains.
Forest headquarters are located in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
.
Recreation
The forest contains a number of hikingHiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
, and horseback riding trails. The most extensive hiking trail is the Ouachita National Recreation Trail
Ouachita National Recreation Trail
Ouachita National Recreation Trail is a long, continuous hiking trail through the Ouachita Mountainsof Oklahoma and Arkansas.The trail is primarily a hiking and backpacking trail, but about 2/3 of the trail are available to mountain bikers....
, which traverses 223 miles (358.9 km) across the region. This is a well-maintained backpacking, hiking trail with overnight shelters in several portions of the trail. Mountain biking is also allowed for some sections of the trail.
In the Oklahoma section of the forest the 26445 acres (107 km²) Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area
Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area
Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area is a United States National Recreation Area located within the Ouachita National Forest. State Highway 1, known as the Talimena Scenic Byway in this area, bisects the recreation area...
and six other designated areas offer visitors a full range of activities with more than 150 campsites, a 90 acres (36.4 ha) lake, and an equestrian camp.
Southeast of Idabel, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation manages the Red Slough Wildlife Mananagement Area, a 5814 acres (23.5 km²) wetland area donated to the USFS by The Conservation Fund in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Hunting (no lead shot) and fishing are allowed there. The area is also a destination for birdwatchers from throughout the United States and the United Kingdom as well.
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
and fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
are popular activities on the Mountain Fork River, Caddo River
Caddo River
The Caddo River is a tributary of the Ouachita River in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The river is about long altogther.-Course:The Caddo River flows out of the Ouachita Mountains through Montgomery, Pike, and Clark counties in Arkansas before flowing into DeGray Lake and then to its terminus at the...
, Little Missouri River
Little Missouri River (Arkansas)
The Little Missouri River, or Little Mo, is a waterway that runs from the Ouachita Mountains of southwest Arkansas into the rolling hills area in the surrounding countryside.- Overview :...
, and Ouachita River
Ouachita River
The Ouachita River is a river that runs south and east through the U.S. states of Arkansas and Louisiana, joining the Tensas River to form the Black River near Jonesville, Louisiana.-Course:...
within the bounds of the forest. The Cossatot River
Cossatot River
The Cossatot River is an river in the U.S. state Arkansas.Cossatot comes from the French cassé-tête which translates roughly to skull crusher...
, said to be the most difficult whitewater river between the Smoky and Rocky Mountains, also passes through the forest.
Rockhound
Rockhounding
Amateur geology is the recreational study and hobby of collecting rocks and mineral specimens from their natural environment.-Collecting:...
s frequent a belt several miles wide containing concentrations of quartz
Quartz
Quartz is the second-most-abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust, after feldspar. It is made up of a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon–oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall formula SiO2. There are many different varieties of quartz,...
crystals. Visitors and rock collectors are free to pick up loose crystals within the belt for personal use and may dig for quartz with the permission of the district ranger.
Counties
Ouachita National Forest is located in 13 counties in western and central Arkansas and 2 counties in southeastern Oklahoma. They are listed here in descending order of forestland within the county. Also given is their area as of September 30, 2007. About 80% of the forest's area is in Arkansas, with the remaining 20% in Oklahoma. In Arkansas there are local rangerNational Park Ranger
National Park Service Rangers are among the uniformed employees charged with protecting and preserving areas set aside in the National Park System by the United States Congress and/or the President of the United States...
district offices located in Booneville
Booneville, Arkansas
Booneville is a city in Logan County, Arkansas, United States, and the county seat of its southern district. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 4,082....
, Danville
Danville, Arkansas
Danville is a city in Yell County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,392 at the 2000 census. Along with Dardanelle, it is one of two county seats for Yell County.Danville is part of the Russellville Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, Glenwood
Glenwood, Arkansas
Glenwood is a city in Pike and Montgomery counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The population was 1,751 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Glenwood is located at ....
, Jessieville, Mena
Mena, Arkansas
Mena is a city in Polk County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the county seat of Polk County.It was founded by Arthur Edward Stilwell during the building of the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad . It was Stilwell who decided Mena would be the name of this new town along the route to...
, Mount Ida
Mount Ida, Arkansas
Mount Ida is a city in Montgomery County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 981 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is known as the quartz crystal capital of the U.S...
, Oden
Oden, Arkansas
Oden is a town in Montgomery County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 220 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Oden is located at ....
, Perryville
Perryville, Arkansas
Perryville is a city in and the county seat of Perry County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,458 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, and Waldron
Waldron, Arkansas
Waldron is a city in Scott County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,508 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Scott County.-Geography:Waldron is located at ....
. In Oklahoma they are located in Hodgen
Hodgen, Oklahoma
Hodgen is a small, unincorporated community in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, United States. The post office was established April 25, 1910.-Climate:...
, Talihina
Talihina, Oklahoma
Talihina is a town in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, United States, its name originating from two Choctaw words, tully and hena, meaning iron road. Iron road is reference to the railroad that the town was built around. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, and north of Broken Bow. Even though the Ouachita National Forest is far from being the largest, its twelve ranger districts are the most of any in the National Forest system. The giant Tongass National Forest
Tongass National Forest
The Tongass National Forest in southeastern Alaska is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres . Most of its area is part of the temperate rain forest WWF ecoregion, itself part of the larger Pacific temperate rain forest WWF ecoregion, and is remote enough to be home...
in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
is second with nine ranger district divisions.
- Scott County, Arkansas 369618 acres (1,495.8 km²)
- Montgomery County, ArkansasMontgomery County, ArkansasMontgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 9,487. The county seat is Mount Ida. Montgomery County is Arkansas's 45th county, formed on December 9, 1842, and named after Richard Montgomery, an American Revolutionary War...
335846 acres (1,359.1 km²) - Le Flore County, OklahomaLe Flore County, OklahomaLe Flore County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 48,109. Its county seat is Poteau. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma is the federal...
221546 acres (896.6 km²) - Polk County, Arkansas 206400 acres (835.3 km²)
- Yell County, ArkansasYell County, ArkansasYell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 22,185. The county has two county seats, Dardanelle and Danville...
188835 acres (764.2 km²) - McCurtain County, OklahomaMcCurtain County, OklahomaMcCurtain County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 33,151. Its county seat is Idabel.-Geography:...
132936 acres (538 km²) - Garland County, Arkansas 120553 acres (487.9 km²)
- Perry County, Arkansas 99171 acres (401.3 km²)
- Saline County, Arkansas 58950 acres (238.6 km²)
- Sebastian County, Arkansas 18956 acres (76.7 km²)
- Logan County, ArkansasLogan County, ArkansasLogan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 22,353. There are two county seats: Booneville and Paris.-History :...
18585 acres (75.2 km²) - Pike County, ArkansasPike County, ArkansasPike County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 11,291. The county seat is Murfreesboro. Pike County is Arkansas's 25th county, formed on November 1, 1833, and named for Lieutenant Zebulon Pike, the explorer who discovered Pikes Peak...
9535 acres (38.6 km²) - Ashley County, Arkansas 1675 acres (6.8 km²)
- Howard County, ArkansasHoward County, ArkansasHoward County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 13,789. The county seat is Nashville. Howard County is Arkansas's 74th county, formed on April 17, 1873, and named for James Howard, a state senator...
1531 acres (6.2 km²) - Hot Spring County, Arkansas 320 acres (1.3 km²)
Points of interest
- Beavers Bend Resort ParkBeavers Bend Resort ParkBeavers Bend State Park is a popular Oklahoma state park located in McCurtain County, approximately seven miles north of Broken Bow.-Attractions:...
- Broken Bow LakeBroken Bow LakeBroken Bow Lake is a reservoir in southeast Oklahoma, located on Mountain Fork River and north of the town of Broken Bow. It is one of the largest lakes within the state of Oklahoma, and a popular tourist destination for locals and visitors from neighboring Texas.The lake stretches...
- Kerr Arboretum and Botanical AreaKerr Arboretum and Botanical AreaThe Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arboretum, Nature Center and Botanical Area is an arboretum and nature preserve in the Ouachita National Forest, near Talihina, Oklahoma, containing plant communities significant in their occurrence, variety, and location. It is bordered by U.S. 270-59 and Forest Road...
- Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation AreaWinding Stair Mountain National Recreation AreaWinding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area is a United States National Recreation Area located within the Ouachita National Forest. State Highway 1, known as the Talimena Scenic Byway in this area, bisects the recreation area...
- Black Fork Mountain WildernessBlack Fork Mountain WildernessBlack Fork Mountain Wilderness is located in the U.S. states of Arkansas and Oklahoma. Created by an act of Congress in 1984, the wilderness covers an area of 13,139 acres . Contained within Ouachita National Forest, the wilderness is managed by the U.S...
- Upper Kiamichi River WildernessUpper Kiamichi River WildernessThe Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness is located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Created by an act of Congress in 1988, the wilderness covers an area of 9,754 acres . Contained within Ouachita National Forest, the wilderness is managed by the U.S...
- Ouachita National Recreation TrailOuachita National Recreation TrailOuachita National Recreation Trail is a long, continuous hiking trail through the Ouachita Mountainsof Oklahoma and Arkansas.The trail is primarily a hiking and backpacking trail, but about 2/3 of the trail are available to mountain bikers....