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The Ouachita National Forest was established in 1907, making it the oldest national forest in the South. Long before that, Native American tribes like the Caddo and Choctaw lived and traveled through these mountains. In the late 1800s, settlers arrived for logging and mining, but concerns about preserving the land led to federal protection. Today, the forest covers over 1.8 million acres across Arkansas and Oklahoma. With its rugged ridges, clear streams, and diverse wildlife, the Ouachita remains a place where nature and history meet--and every trail tells part of the story.