Thanks grub worm, Arkansas has almost unlimited hiking opportunities , of all levels. I assume being from LA you’ve been around the ouchitas and in particularly the Albert pike area ? The ouchita trail is a great trail that runs through southern Ark. And there is dispersed camping all over the area With a huge network of roads. It can get a little crowded With Texas folks during peak spring and fall seasons. If your a campground guy, take a look at Shady Lake CG.
As far as the Ozarks, again it’s almost unlimited As far as hiking goes. If you like established thru type trails take a look at the ozark highlands trail, there is a nice campground at haw creek falls where the OHT runs through it. if you like destination hikes look at the areas around mts Magazine, Petit Jean state parks. a favorite of mine is the hike into twin falls at Richland creek south of jasper, there is a nice forest service campground here as well. . The hike into hawks bill Craig as well as glory hole close to Jasper has gotten pretty crowded over the years but if you can do a mid week hike it will help a lot. A nice day hike by Jasper is the lost valley in and out trail by Boxley, it is a fairly easy hike with waterfalls, and ends at a cave with a waterfall inside So take a flashlight ! Pick up some of the hiking books by Tim Ernst he describes and gives directions on a heck of a lot of trails by region in the state. He also has a waterfall guide book out that is well worth the money. If you don’t mind bushwhacking Ark has some of the best places imaginable, pick up Danny Hales book on hiking AR.
Kayaking, if you are a flat water paddler we have a ton of lakes and slower streams, if you like med. class 1-3 stuff then look at the buffalo, mulberry and big piney creeks or the ouchita River in the southern part of the state. One popular float on the ouchita is the dragover loop that doesn’t require a shuttle it’s a very nice class 1-2 day float . Then the caddo is a good one in the southern part of the state but it’s getting crowded . If I can help please feel free to holler at me. Thanks Dave
