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Submission
If you are one of those folks who prefers a different, more rugged camp experience, primitive camping is allowed almost anywhere in the Ouachita National Forest unless there is a sign stating otherwise, or it is a wildlife food plot. Located throughout the Forests are areas that have been campsites for many years. These are located along roadsides, trails, mountain tops, or near streams. Camping at dispersed locations have additional responsibilities: "Leave No Trace" so others can have a similar backcountry experience, pack out any trash or litter, scatter campfire ash around so it doesn't pile up, and leave the area better than you found it.
Please filter water before drinking! Beware of stream crossings after heavy rains.
Please read the Dispersed Camping guidelines before heading out.
Spring Creek campground in the Black kettle national grassland is beautiful quiet good SHADE! An people can somewhat spread out,an not be on top of each other,no light pollution from cities or towns,an the night sky is so beautiful an clear you can see stars behind the Stars never seen so many Stars,if you love the night sky and hiking and fishing and birding,I recommend this place as a suggestion, just beautiful
I visited with a 25ft camper and had plenty of room to maneuver. The first campsite is the first left and has it's own turnaround spot while the other two have two entrance/exits. I did not see a fourth campsite. I had an amazing time enjoying the solitude
Quiet lakeside with 4 spots for tent or RV about 75 yards from each other. Scattered shade trees. The underbrush was all wood chipped and is now a blanket of course wood chips covering the whole area. A real improvement over years past, according to a local. Lots more sites if you are willing to pitch your tent a few yards from where you park, but not accessible to an RV cuz of tree branches. The lake is "no wake" with a sandy bottom. About a foot deep for a few yards, gradually dropping to about 18' at the deepest. Great stars at night.
Gorgeous spot tucked away in a beautiful area. Rolled up super late at night and was easy to navigate. Only a few sites but there's a little table, garbage cans / dumpster, and a medium-ish sized fire ring at one of them
Stayed in tent one night in nov; drove thru in subaru forester; saw one other person arrive early in the morning
Dark place to see the milky way, one of the last places in the panhandle, unless your neighbors keep their lights on all night. Loads of native birds, plants and insects. Tons of trash, likely from regular party goers. Could use a few locking food bins to keep the trash pandas out but we didn't have any issues. The clearest places to have a tent and camp are at the main site. No RR @ the dispersed sites. Lots of wildlife and it's quiet when people aren't running generators. Bring bug spray and fly catchers. Will be back! Be Kind Humans!
