Unlike most American mountain ranges, the Ouachita Mountains run east-west rather than north-south. They form the heart of the Ouachita National Forest, which covers more than 1.6 million acres in west-central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma.
Developed facilities are available at Lake Sylvia, south of Perryville off Highway 9; Little Pines Recreation Area, 12 miles west of Waldron on Hwy 248; Shady Lakes, 25 miles southeast of Mena; and others. There are six wilderness areas in the forest as well. Admission to the forest is free. Ask the forest supervisor's office about fees for camping.
