Elevations range from 600 to 2,600 feet as the trail passes through forested mountains, across sweeping valleys and near clear-running streams. Camp at the backpacker's camp at Winding Stair Campground. Enjoy grand vistas and pristine forested ridgelines along the 54-mile Talimena Scenic Drive. Spur trails can be found throughout the Winding Stair National Recreation Area and connect to various recreation areas and points of interest. Numerous road crossings and access points provide opportunities for point to point hikes of various distances.
Water is scarce on many portions of the trail during dry periods.
Treat all water before drinking. Although not prohibited, the trails would be narrow for mountain bikes. The trails are closed to motorized use and to pack and saddle stock. Click Here for a 150dpi map of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. The Ouachita National Recreation Trail stretches across the entire length of the Winding Stair National Recreation Area and the Ouachita National Forest which embrace more than 1.7 million acres of mountains, ridges, lakes and streams in west central Arkansas and southeast Oklahoma.