Lake Ouachita Vista Trail

Here is a news release about the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail from the Corps of Engineers.
New in 2006 -- Lake Ouachita Vista Trail!! -- The first phase (approx. 6 miles) of the new Lake Ouachita Vista Trail for hikers and mountain bikers is now open!! With two trailheads just a five minute drive from the resort/spa you can enjoy a picnic at Lunch Log Vista, the serenity of Hush Hollow-a moss and fern lined hollow - or catch a glimpse of wildlife at "Coon Tree Hotel & Vista", a large dead oak tree where raccoons like to sleep during the day. The trail meanders through the national forest with spurs that provide beautiful lake vistas. Lake Ouachita Vista Trail is scheduled to be completed by 2007 and will eventually cover over 15 miles of lake shore for hiking and mountain biking, with a trailhead starting here at Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa.

Joplin Campground Loop (4 miles) -- Starting at Mountain Harbor Resort this loop is an easy walk, jog, or bike ride on paved road. Gentle rolling hills take you to the campground peninsula where you are surrounded on three sides by Lake Ouachita. A midway stop at Micah's Point provides a rest stop and a panoramic view of the lake. Bathrooms and water stops available during spring, summer and fall seasons. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours. Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate

The open segment of the trail begins at Denby Point and follows the hilly shoreline for approximately five miles where it terminates at the entrance to the Corps of Engineers Thompkins Bend Campground.  The trail is marked by White Rectangles.  The trail dips into hollows covered in old growth high canopies trees combined with high vistas of Lake Ouachita.   You’ll see “Hush Hollow” a moss and fern lined hollow, the “Coon Tree Hotel” an old growth Oak Tree that raccoons love to sleep in or look for the “Squirrel Head Tree”.

Scheduled to be completed by 2007, plans call for the trail to extend 40 miles along the shores of Lake Ouachita, linking up with the Charlton Trail.  Along the trail will be pits left by quartz speculators and the remains of a moonshiner’s still in evidence of the area’s history.  Also on the drawing board is a suspension bridge along the trail.  The trail is expected to take five years to complete.

            Map of Lake Ouachita Vista Trail

Progress on the Watchable Wildlife

Progress on the Watchable Wildlife portion of the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) continues. The new restroom has been installed complete with lights at the parking area adjacent to the Kiosk. A road bore was necessary to gain access to the water line on the east side of Shangri La Road; this was completed in late May. The restroom is open with a toilet and sink.

This portion of the LOViT is handicapped accessible allowing users of all capabilities the opportunity to travel through an area alive with a wide variety of wildlife. We are also planning to construct ten exercise stations along the half-mile loop of this trail. Each of these stations will have simple exercise equipment with instructional signage intended to encourage trail users to improve their general health and flexibility.

Construction continues on the elevated boardwalk portion of the trail.  Once the boardwalk is completed, a handicapped accessible fishing pier for patrons of all ages and capabilities will be located near the end.

This one-mile paved Watchable Wildlife trail has been in the planning for five years and is completely funded by grants and donations. It will offer access to the clear waters of Gap Creek as it flows into the waters of Lake Ouachita at Denby Bay. When designing the trail we planned three spurs from the main trail to the edge of gap creek where we quietly observed large mouth bass depositing their eggs in a clear rocky eddy along the shore of the creek. During the winter months you will be able to walk among hundreds of Coots, Pin Tail Ducks, Loons, Wood Ducks and on a good day even observe Bald Eagles fishing or harvesting Coots for lunch.

In addition plans continue to reintroduce quail to the fields around the trail and install wood duck and blue bird houses to the area. This unique trail will be one of the finest Watchable Wildlife Trails in the state and a great new asset to Montgomery County.

The "BIG PICTURE" - Overview of the Trail Segments

Why Camping Makes the Ultimate Family Vacation

      Are you and your family interested in taking a family vacation soon?  If you are, have you already decided what you would like to do or where you would like to go?  If you have yet to decide what you would like your next family vacation to be about, you may want to take the time to examine camping.  Camping is a fun way to spend your next family vacation.

      Although it is nice to hear that camping is a fun way to spend your next family vacation, you may be wondering exactly why that is.  What you need to know is that camping is often referred to as one of America's favorite pastimes.  There are a number of different reasons for that, as well as reasons as to why camping is great for family trips or family vacations.  A few of the many reasons why you should at least examine camping for your next family vacation are outlined below.

      One of the many reasons why camping is perfect for family vacations is camping is an activity that is ideal for individuals of all different ages.  For example, there are many parents who actually take their newborns camping with them.  It is more than possible for you to go camping with your children, even younger children, as long as you make sure that you keep an eye on your children at all times.

      Another one of the many reasons why camping makes for great family vacations is because camping comes in a number of different formats.  For instance, camping vacations can be as short as one day or they can last as long as a week or more.  This means that you can plan your next family camping vacation around you and your family.  In addition to the length of your camping adventure, you will also find that you can camp a number of different ways.  For instance, camping is often done in traditional camping tents or in motor homes.  When deciding how you and your family would like to camp, you may want to think about what would be best or easiest for you and your family.

      The activities that you and your family will have access to is another one of the many reasons why camping is great for family vacations.  Although camping is considered a fun activity all on its own, you will find that it is not the only activity that you and your family can participate in.  In the United States, a large number of campground parks have onsite swimming pools, onsite lakes, onsite playgrounds, and onsite hiking trails. What does this mean for you?  It means that, in addition to camping, you and your family may enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and much more!

      The cost of camping is another one of the many reasons why camping makes for great family vacations.  Although you will likely be charged an admission fee or a camping fee to camp at a public campground park, you will likely find the cost very affordable.  The supplies and camping equipment that you need is also extremely affordable, as most of the supplies can be purchased for discount prices, both on and offline.

      As it was previously mentioned, camping is great for family vacations, as it is a fun activity that is ideal for just about anyone, no matter what the age.  As fun and exciting as camping can be, it is important that you remember to keep an eye on your children at all times, especially younger children.  Although camping can be a fun and exciting activity, it is one that can also be dangerous.