Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Crystal Springs, Arkansas

The trail begins as a gravel-covered clay road with several dips and rises. As you progress, the trail becomes very rocky with several loose rocks and some washed out sections on the left side of the trail, right side if you're descending the trail. There are lots of sharp rocks and a slightly tight...
Learn more about Hickory Nut Trail

This road leaves Hickory Nut Road at the west end and the east end stops at Crystal Springs Resort entrance. Across the main road is a public boat ramp with restrooms and great views of Lake Ouachita. There are nice dispersed campsites along this road. Awesome creek-side camping and group-sized disp...
Learn more about Pipe Spring

This maintained Gravel road goes up to Hickory Nut Vista Lookout. As you travel to the vista you will pass Hickory Nut Campground on the left side of the road. This is a dispersed campground with a pit toilet, picnic tables, and a fire ring. Awesome views of Lake Ouachita can be seen. This road does...
Learn more about Hickory Nut Mountain

This maintained gravel road goes to Big Fir Public Use Area. There are two loop campgrounds (primitive with outhouse) and a rough spur trail that goes to another small camping area (primitive) with lake access. The roads have bumpy areas, which can be messy when wet. The spur part is rough, narrow, ...
Learn more about Big Fir

This is a nice forest road that if headed east, will end at Highway 270. This trail ends at a very nice Group sized, dispersed campsite. East Fork Twin Creek runs alongside this road. There are a few dispersed campsites along this road. Beautiful views are in this area. There are a few side spurs th...
Learn more about Womble Silver

This is a maintained gravel road until the last 3/4 mile, when it becomes a dirt 2-track with large, 12-inch-deep mud holes. There are a couple of places that will be slick after rain, but can be navigated by any high clearance 4x4. The road ends at a nice campsite and connects to FS J15B, which tak...
Learn more about FS 5140

The trail starts as a gravel road but turns to a dirt 2-track after about half a mile. It winds through the forest, showcasing the beauty of the Ouachita National Forest. You will have several mud holes to cross that can be easily navigated by any high-clearance 4x4. As you pass the tip of a cove, t...
Learn more about North Shore Road - FS 7492

This is a gravel road that connects Muse Creek to Oakhaven cutoff. It has several mud holes that are shallow and hard-bottomed. There is one mud hole that would be very slippery after rain and has no bypass. There is a low water bridge that is a few inches deep. The views of the surrounding mountain...
Learn more about Oakwood Cemetery Road - FS 105

This is a short two-mile trail that ends at Tabor Mountain Road. This exits the gravel road area. This trail picks up from North Fork and Irons Fork Trail. This is a maintained gravel road that can be slick when wet and dusty when dry. Loose gravel makes some curves slippery. There is plenty of room...
Learn more about Exit to Tabor Mountain Road

This quiet forest route follows a maintained gravel road through a mix of pine and hardwood timber, offering an easy and enjoyable drive for travelers looking to explore the area without encountering technical obstacles. The road is generally one to one-and-a-half vehicles wide, with occasional wide...
Learn more about Shooting Range

This gravel road leaves a dispersed campsite. This trail passes several dispersed campsites, including Collier Springs, Crystal Scenic Trail, and Twin Creek Crystal Mine. With huge boulders, many rocks, creeks, and diverse terrain, there is a lot to see on this trail. The Collier Springs Picnic Area...
Learn more about Collier Springs

This trail picks up from North Fork to Gladstone trail. Access from HWY 7 or Hwy 298. This maintained gravel road can be slippery when wet and dusty while dry. The trail ends on Irons Fork RD. There is room for camping at the end of Irons Fork Road and a nice camping spot on the main road. There are...
Learn more about Muse Creek and Irons Fork

This unmaintained forest road offers a more remote experience than many of the surrounding gravel routes while remaining accessible to most stock high-clearance vehicles. The trail follows a narrow corridor through dense pine and hardwood forest, winding through terrain with thick vegetation pressin...
Learn more about Woods Branch

This remote forest route winds through a mix of pines, mature hardwood timber, and recently logged sections that provide occasional long-distance views across the surrounding hills. The route is primarily a single-lane road with very few opportunities for two vehicles to pass. The surface consists m...
Learn more about MccKeen

This route is an easy gravel road with lots of creeks, campsites, and old logging areas where there is plentiful firewood. The Buffalo Gap Mountain TH is right after you come off Highway 7. The Bear Creek Trail parking area is the spur road off to the right. This trail is an equestrian/walking trail...
Learn more about Gladstone Road 11

This scenic forest road winds through a mix of mature hardwoods, pines, and open clearings before ending at a quiet recreation area. The route follows a well-maintained gravel surface that is generally smooth and easy to navigate, making it suitable for nearly any vehicle. Along the way, travelers w...
Learn more about River Bluff Road

This 14.5-mile forest road provides a scenic drive through dense pine and hardwood timber with minimal technical challenges. The route is primarily maintained gravel and is suitable for most stock SUVs, trucks, crossovers, and even many passenger cars. Unlike some nearby forest roads, vegetation is ...
Learn more about Muddy Creek

This scenic gravel route travels through a mix of mature hardwood forest, pines, and open clearings filled with seasonal wildflowers. The road is generally well maintained and suitable for most stock vehicles, offering a relaxing drive through the terrain of the Ouachita Mountains. One of the highli...
Learn more about West Springs Branch

This easy scenic route winds through a peaceful forest setting on a well-maintained gravel road. Towering pines and mature hardwoods line much of the drive, creating a shaded corridor that offers a relaxing experience for travelers seeking to enjoy the area's natural beauty. The road is generally wi...
Learn more about Job Corp Road

This easy forest route follows a fairly maintained gravel road through mature pine and hardwood timber within the Ouachita Mountains. The road is generally one vehicle wide, though several wider sections provide opportunities to pass oncoming traffic. The drive winds through a peaceful forest settin...
Learn more about Old Piney Cemetery

The trail begins as a gravel-covered clay road with several dips and rises. As you progress, the trail becomes very rocky with several loose rocks and some washed out sections on the left side of the trail, right side if you're descending the trail. There are lots of sharp rocks and a slightly tight...
Learn more about Hickory Nut Trail

This road leaves Hickory Nut Road at the west end and the east end stops at Crystal Springs Resort entrance. Across the main road is a public boat ramp with restrooms and great views of Lake Ouachita. There are nice dispersed campsites along this road. Awesome creek-side camping and group-sized disp...
Learn more about Pipe Spring

This maintained Gravel road goes up to Hickory Nut Vista Lookout. As you travel to the vista you will pass Hickory Nut Campground on the left side of the road. This is a dispersed campground with a pit toilet, picnic tables, and a fire ring. Awesome views of Lake Ouachita can be seen. This road does...
Learn more about Hickory Nut Mountain

The trail starts as a gravel road but turns to a dirt 2-track after about half a mile. It winds through the forest, showcasing the beauty of the Ouachita National Forest. You will have several mud holes to cross that can be easily navigated by any high-clearance 4x4. As you pass the tip of a cove, t...
Learn more about North Shore Road - FS 7492

The trail begins as a gravel-covered clay road with several dips and rises. As you progress, the trail becomes very rocky with several loose rocks and some washed out sections on the left side of the trail, right side if you're descending the trail. There are lots of sharp rocks and a slightly tight...
Learn more about Hickory Nut Trail

This road leaves Hickory Nut Road at the west end and the east end stops at Crystal Springs Resort entrance. Across the main road is a public boat ramp with restrooms and great views of Lake Ouachita. There are nice dispersed campsites along this road. Awesome creek-side camping and group-sized disp...
Learn more about Pipe Spring

This maintained Gravel road goes up to Hickory Nut Vista Lookout. As you travel to the vista you will pass Hickory Nut Campground on the left side of the road. This is a dispersed campground with a pit toilet, picnic tables, and a fire ring. Awesome views of Lake Ouachita can be seen. This road does...
Learn more about Hickory Nut Mountain

The trail starts as a gravel road but turns to a dirt 2-track after about half a mile. It winds through the forest, showcasing the beauty of the Ouachita National Forest. You will have several mud holes to cross that can be easily navigated by any high-clearance 4x4. As you pass the tip of a cove, t...
Learn more about North Shore Road - FS 7492