AR State Parks: LAKE OUACHITA STATE PARK

This event IS PET-FRIENDLY.

Our goal in this series is to visit all 53 state parks. This month’s park is:

LAKE OUACHITA STATE PARK
www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/lake-ouachita-state-park
5451 Mountain Pine RdMountain Pine, AR 71956

Please note: for this event, I will already be in Hot Springs, running a half marathon, and will be coming from there. For those traveling from Memphis on Saturday, I recommend meeting at the Bass Pro Pyramid north parking lot off Front Street (the smaller parking lot close to auto bridge over to Mud Island) at 8:45 am for those who would like to carpool. I recommend leaving the Pyramid at 9:00 am. We will eat lunch BEFORE the hike, because of the time that travel takes, and to allow any running the race to join us.

About this park:

Arkansas’ largest lake, Lake Ouachita offers 40,000 acres of clear, clean water surrounded by the scenic Ouachita National Forest.

They are dog-friendly. Other attractions, including Caddo Bend trail and Historic Three Sisters’ Springs, are in the park. There are also exhibits and a gift shop inside the visitor center. The state park is near Hot Springs National Park and Hot Springs Village.

Arkansas State Parks list:
https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks

Planned Hike: CADDO BEND TRAIL
Trail Type: Day Hikes | Difficulty: Strenuous in places
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 3 hours hiking time
Hiking times may vary.

What to know
Nature lovers, photographers, and geologists will enjoy walking on the slopes near Lake Ouachita's Caddo Bend Trail. Wildflowers, large boulder gardens, an abundance of quartz, scenic views, and an observation deck overlooking the lake at the end of the point are some of the main attractions. The trail begins near the park amphitheater and circles the entire peninsula back to its beginning.

Food: Grateful Head Pizza Oven and Beer Garden
For those who would like to join us for a meal BEFORE the hike, we are planning on eating at Grateful Head Pizza Oven and Beer Garden, 100 Exchange St, Hot Springs, AR 71901
Inspired by the love and fellowship of Dead Heads — fans and followers of the band the Grateful Dead — two brothers wanted to share the experience of all the joy and fun of a live Dead show. That dream was found in the bones of an old abandoned school house in the Oauchita Mountains. In 2010, they began selling hippie-inspired pizza pies and cold draws of draft beer, always playing the “Dead” over the sound system. Soon the two Grateful Dead Heads came across an equally groovy inspired location in Hot Springs National Park. Come try some hot pie and cold beer while jamming to the sounds of the Grateful Dead.