Did
you know Arkansas is the home of the largest national forest in the south? The
Ouachita National Forest provides access to all types of outdoor activities, on
the trail, on the water, and beyond. The opportunity to enjoy the park is not
just limited to the young and super fit. The national parks and forests are
mandated to be all-inclusive. Because of this, even the family caregiver will find many activities accessible to all,
including those who use adaptive equipment such as a cane or wheelchair. The
park can give anyone a break from routine and leave you with a lifetime of
memories.
As
you and your family plan what activities you want to take part in, consider the
needs of your group first and foremost. If Mom enjoyed hiking but is now in a
wheelchair, you may want to opt for wheelchair-accessible trails for her to
indulge in. You can ask for help from her caregiver if she has one. Caregivers are responsible for making a realistic assessment
of your family member’s abilities, both physical and mental, and can help you
plan a day out. You don’t want to be one mile into a three-mile hike, only to
find out Dad is running out of energy.
Here
are some suggestions for all activity levels:
1. Go for a car ride. Start with a car ride on
the Talimena Scenic Byway. This highway runs from Mena, AR to the Oklahoma portion of the park. There are numerous
scenic overlooks as well as attractions worthy of a stop and a picture along
your route. There are many picnic sites along the way too. Take a break to eat your favorite lunch. If you happen to be a family caregiver for an elderly parent or
disabled family member, a car ride through this magnificent forest will be
stress-free and enjoyable for everyone. The Talimena Byway is particularly
beautiful in spring when the wildflowers are blooming and in fall when the
leaves turn into a blaze of reds and golds.
2. Go for a hike. Ouachita National Forest has some of the best hiking trails in
Arkansas. The serious hiker will want to consider backpacking the longest trail
in the park, the Ouachita Recreational Trail, which travels the entire length
of the park and is a rolling, winding, jaw-dropping 192 miles. Don’t worry! The
day hiker will find trails that range in difficulty and length to satisfy their
level, too. The best plan is to choose an area of the park you want to explore,
and then choose the trail that matches your ability. There are even several
wheelchair-accessible trails available, including the Friendship Trail, the
Orchard Trail, and the Shady Lake Trail. Friendship Trail has an added bonus of
a fully accessible bathroom at the trailhead, which helps simplify elder care
services.
3. Ride the trails. Horseback riding trails
are available throughout the park, and parking is even available for your horse
trailer. Have a mare that loves a challenge? An old plod-along gelding that
prefers something simpler? The trails vary in difficulty, length, and surface,
with some being covered with gravel. You can find the perfect trail in the park
for your horse’s needs and your own desires.
4. Hook the big one. If you love to fish, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to cast
a line in the Ouachita National Forest. Most of the lakes within the park are
accessible to boaters ready to hook the big one. If you are a shore fisherman,
there are fishing piers located throughout the park, including North Fork Lake,
Shady Lake, and Lake Hinkle. There’s also a fishing pond right on the side of
the wheelchair-accessible Friendship Trail. Ouachita is also full of rivers and streams for fishing if you’re willing to hike rougher terrain to get there. Bring
your fishing license and hook one of the crappies, bass, sunfish, and catfish
swimming around the park.
5. Search for treasure. Crystal Vista is a must if your family member is interested in
treasure hunting. Once the site of an old quartz mine, Crystal Vista is now open to the public. There is no fee, and
you are allowed to remove up to 20 pounds of material for your personal use.
Even if you are unsuccessful in finding quartz crystals, the view is worth the
climb. The site overlooks Ouachita Lake and Mount Ida. Note that this site is
on the top of Gardner Mountain and is an approximate 25-minute uphill hike on a
well-maintained trail.
6. Pitch a tent. If you and your family are
ready for an extended visit to the park, there are numerous options available
for a cozy campsite. There are sites for tent camping as well as RVs and
campers that require electrical hookup. Camp Clearfork even has rustic cabins
available by reservation only for groups such as family reunions, church
groups, etc. Grab your sleeping bag and favorite book of scary campfire stories
and find your spot.
7. Go boating. Whether you’re fishing,
tubing, or just drifting around the lake, boating is a great way to spend the
day at the park. Many of the lakes have paved boat docks for you to launch your
boat easily for fishing or just sightseeing. If you don’t have your own boat,
you can rent a boat at numerous sites on the Ouachita Lake. Most can also provide non-motorized equipment
such as canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats. Which brings us to our next
suggestion …
8.
Hit the off-road trails. Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV)
are growing in popularity and, yes, they are permitted in the park. There are
numerous trails designated for OHVs; wever, they are all
multi-use trails. Some of the trails include room for ATVs, hikers, bikers, and
horseback riders all potentially at the same time. Be respectful of everyone
when you pass.
Open
year-round, the Ouachita National Park offers things to do throughout the year;
however, some amenities are seasonal. If you are planning on a specific
activity or area of the park, you might want to call first to be assured that
it is available when it is offseason.Guest Post - By Susan Ashby.
