Name: Ouachita National Recreation Trail
Rating: 4.3

“This rough, rugged and remote trail is currently the longest trail in the Ouachita National Forest.”

— Joe Jacobs

GPX File

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Please camp at least 100ft off of the trail.

Overview

A long distance running trail through the Ouachita Mountains of eastern Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Run Sections

Description

This is a long distance trail through remote sections of the Ouachita Mountains beginning in Talimena State Park, northeast of Talihina, Oklahoma, and eventually concluding at the Visitor’s Center at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. The last 30 miles of the trail, from the trail's intersection with Highway 9 to the Pinnacle Mountain State Park, are an extension that lies outside of the Ouachita National Forest, running through public and private land.

Throughout the Ouachita National Recreation Trail there are many road crossings and trail access points that allow for runners to explore the trail in a variety of ways, making easy to customize distances and scenic opportunities of the run. The trail spans elevations of 600 to 2,600 feet while crossing a variety of landscapes as it moves west over the mountains and valleys of the Ouachita Mountains.

Parking is available at most trail access points where the trail hits a road crossing.