Ouachita National Forest, Ozark National Forest & Mark Twain National Forest Highlights Request

[Draykas]

Finally did exploration trip to Ozark national forest. Stopped at famous ozark Cafe for Excalibur burger. The trail was light to medium intensity but camp site is awesome. A few creek crossings nothing very deep. 3 places got a little tight to make me worry about pinstripes. I will share pics, video and GIA GPS data later

 

[Draykas]

Finally did exploration trip to Ozark national forest. Stopped at famous ozark Cafe for Excalibur burger. The trail was light to medium intensity but camp site is awesome. A few creek crossings nothing very deep. 3 places got a little tight to make me worry about pinstripes. I will share pics, video and GIA GPS data later

Here are few pics from the trail to camp site

 

[Draykas]

I shared some pics previous that shows tight spots but here are pics of camp will share video later. It was worth the drive and cringes. Remember "Adventure is Necessary" I will get video and GIA GPS up once i can get chance.

 

[RickR]

Great photos.

 

[Draykas]

Okay uploaded video to Youtube. not a expert video blogger but hope other will enjoy. will try to get GIA GPS info up next.

 

[Mr.RoadWarrior]

Well, now I can blame your pics for my wife putting the pressure on to get up there!

Looks like a very memorable trip, thanks for posting.

 

[MidwestVoyager]

Looks awesome! I'm looking forward to your GAIA post. If your campsite by the waterfall isn't a secret, I would love to mark that as a spot to check out.

 

[FishinCrzy]

I was out that way last October and I ran across a few nice spots. Blanchard Springs Rec. Area was particularly nice.

Ozark-St. Francis National Forests - Blanchard Springs Campgrounds

Ozark-St. Francis National Forests - Blanchard Springs Campgrounds

www.fs.usda.gov

I left Byrd Recreation Area after the Ozarks Rendezvous and ate at a neat place Oark General Store. There was a line! But worth the wait.

 

[FishinCrzy]

Next I headed towards the aforementioned Blanchard Spring/Cavern but I didn't make it before dark and I pulled into Gunner Pool Rec. Area and set up in the dark.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/osfnf/recarea/?recid=43443

Leaving there I went up on the North Fork of the White River or Norfork. Stayed two nights at Dam/Quarry Campground to fish some below the Norfork Dam. More RVs but quiet. WAter was high but caught couple nice browns. Then headed over to the White River near the famous Cotter, Ark. for some serious trout fishing. Found a nice spot up on Bull Shoals Lake just above the Dam at Lakeview.
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232619 It is COE operated and very clean, shaded and quiet.

Last stop I finally made it to Blanchard Springs for a very scenic last night in Arkansas. A last picture of Byrds Campground down on the Mulberry River...before all the people showed up and I left!

 

[Draykas]

okay anybody able to help share GIA GPS info. struggling to get it shared. here is snip and no dont mind sharing. We want to go back again so open to maybe group rendezvous to camp could get at least 3 rigs comfortable.

 

[MidwestVoyager]

You should be able to click your name in the top right hand it will give you a drop down. If you recorded your track, select “tracks” from the dropdown and I think there is an option somewhere after that to share a link possibly or you can export your tracks into a gps file.

 

[MidwestVoyager]

@Draykas here is a video with instructions that I created. I hope this help! Thanks. Gaia GPS - Exporting

 

[Draykas]

Thank you midwestvoyouger. i finally got track downloaded and have attached. let me know if get and it works. we enjoyed so much want to go back to site and it is pretty big so if any one wants to plan small group trip We are game

GPX viewer

 

[Mr.RoadWarrior]

Thank you so very much for this...very helpful.

 

[Draykas]

looking at trying to go back 2nd or 3rd weekend in September. Anybody up for group trip?

 

[ru108]

We signed up for Rendezvous in the Ozarks in mid-October and will be in the area from the 15th though the 19th or 20th for that. I've downloaded those tracks as well (THANK YOU for that!) and plan to poke around a bit as time permits while we're up there. If the event happens to get cancelled for some reason, which wouldn't surprise me one bit, then we'll dig into them more on this trip. If not, then they will definitely be used again in the future. Really looking forward to spending some time in the area.

 

[Mr.RoadWarrior]

I am doing a first run up to Ouachita starting out from Houston very early Thursday, will be in the area until Tuesday.

More of a test run to check out the area, identify some decent dispersed sites.

However, I cringe at the potential crowd headed out for Labor Day...ugh.

Anybody in the area who wants to meet up, happy to, just drop me a note

 

[Draykas]

Dang I am headed to lake with boat and family otherwise would convince wife to go. Have fun be safe and enjoy

 

[Mr.RoadWarrior]

..next time for sure

Ill do an after action report next week.

 

[MidwestVoyager]

Thank you midwestvoyouger. i finally got track downloaded and have attached. let me know if get and it works. we enjoyed so much want to go back to site and it is pretty big so if any one wants to plan small group trip We are game

GPX viewer

That GPX file worked great. Was Spainhour Falls the spot you camped at?