Any Members in Arkansas?

Pete can chime in, but I think Cedar Lake is in Oklahoma? That'd be a helluva run for one night, IMO. Backcountry in the Quachitas, from what I know of them, is mainly forest roads, so nothing difficult. And yes, any hammock, tent, blanket, tarp, pad, pillow, or any combination will work. Whatever you're comfy in

 

Why yes you are, and this is Groot....

 

Cedar Lake is smallish in La Fouche River area east of Hwy 7 on FR86. Lake Nimrod is larger but more crowded, very pretty.

Edit: Pardon my French... it’s Fourche Le Fave River. Heard it’s a good run from an OB Buddy. Might do a trail cleanup in spots that need it

 

Thank you our Guardian of the Galaxy

 

Hey, I’m just a man without a plan, yet...

 

Hey Chip, PM me your cell# again...

 

Got it, let’s do it...Cedar Lake

 

Proposed trip route, attached .kml file should open in Google Earth, or you can import it into Gaia or other mapping software. If it doesn't work, let me know. For those interested, we'll plan to meet mid morning Saturday 7th at Williams Junction, travel in west on 132 to Hwy 7 to Trail 86, camp around Cedar Lake Saturday night, cook up some brats and dogs, sip some adult beverages around a fire, and return Sunday. All are welcome to join! Any questions, post 'em up!

 

Might also look at 793 S of Cedar Lake to Forked Mtn. Heard there may some camping along Cedar Creek at the base...

 

Man, if the weather looked a little better I might make the trip, but I'd have to get up pretty dang early.

I was trying to find that lake on Google, found Cedar Creek but couldn't find a lake. Until I switched to satellite photos -- it was right there all along. Looks like a cool spot.

 

Anybody ever camp at Kyle's Landing on the Buffalo? Scoping out spots for my first camping trip a little closer to NWA. Looked at Steel Creek, but sounds a little too busy/popular. Any other recommendations?

 

I'm getting too cynical (realistic) that based on long-term (2+ days) weather forecasts, it generally turns out to be just the opposite. So, this weekend should be perfect.

 

Springtime is a bad time to camp on the Buffalo, in my opinion. Spring rains = lots of boaters. Kyles is a good spot, when not packed with ppl, and has some great hikes from the parking lot, like Indian Creek up to the Eye of the Needle. Very scenic. Most in spring will put in at Ponca and float past Kyles to Steel Creek, hence larger crowds. It's a steep descent to get to Kyles too, meaning no RVs. Steel creek is nice, just crowded, but I'd pick Kyles over Steel. Kyles also has Jim's Bluff and some really nice limestone for your ooo's and ahhh's . Primitive dispersed camping is an option anywhere in the Ozarks.

 

Only 30% chance as of now for Saturday, and Sunday looks beautiful.

 

Thanks, good info and makes sense.

Maybe a dumb question: How do you go about finding a good dispersed camping spot if you don't know where one is already? Just head into the woods and keep a lookout? I would prefer that kind of camping anyway, I just don't want to be tooling around the woods for hours without finding something. Freecampsites.net has some listed, but not a lot.

 

Find a spot big enough to pull your truck in...boom, a campsite. You'll usually also find a pre-existing rock fire ring. As a tree guy, I recommend to look up before settling down - look for dead trees, hangers (broken limbs) and dead wood over head.

 

Not a dumb question. Personally, I look for water features on the map, find forest roads that parallel them and try to get close. I prefer larger creeks (Richland Creek, Illinois Bayou, Piney, Hurricane Creek, etc) because I enjoy small mouth fishing, or I use topo map or software with updated roads and get to elevation for some scenic spots. The closer you get to a designated wilderness areas the better the spots from my experience. There are so many little turnouts and roadside spots on the forest roads in the Ozarks that its hard to go wrong. Pick an area, grab a good gazetteer or map and go for it. The best primitive site is the one you find and enjoy. Also, Forest Service Campgrounds are great with flat spots to pop up tent, fire rings and pit toilets. Haw Creek Campground and Richland Campground are two of my faves, but they have become popular. 30 years ago no one was ever there, and now you have to get there early to get a site. Fairview, Bayou Bluff...there are several out there. So many options...

 

[QUOTE="TerraNerva, post: 17522325, member: 235889]...... 30 years ago no one was ever there [/QUOTE]
How old are you pops this should be a fun weekend. I’ll bring some firewood and brats, and.....

 

How old are you pops this should be a fun weekend. I’ll bring some firewood and brats, and.....[/QUOTE]

Ha, let's just say I was sleeping on the picnic tables under a 3 dollar blue tarp at those campgrounds in the 80's when overlanding was called car camping and Pabst Blue Ribbon was good beer. Ok, not good, just cheap.

 

If it wasn't a 3 hour drive to get there I would be in. Heck, let's see how this week goes, I may just need to gtfo of town. Anyone bring a dog? Mine always comes along, but he can take a while to warm up to other dogs sometimes.