RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Visitors to the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests should be aware of several temporary recreation area closures and reduced services during the 2025 summer season. The U.S. Forest Service has announced these measures to ensure public safety while addressing damage from natural disasters and undertaking planned construction and maintenance projects.
These improvement projects are part of a broader effort to enhance the visitor experience across the forests. While the closures may disrupt some travel plans, the Forest Service emphasizes that the work is essential for the long-term health and safety of these cherished recreational sites.
Affected Recreation Areas
The following is a list of significant closures for the 2025 season:
Ouachita National Forest:
- Bard Springs Campground and Swim Site: This area will be fully closed to the public.
- Shady Lake Recreation Area: The A-Loop campground and the swim area will be closed. The closure is to facilitate a major renovation project aimed at upgrading the layout of Loop A, renovating buildings, and improving accessibility. The project includes replacing the fishing pier, upgrading utilities, and enhancing camping spurs.
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests:
- Allison Trailhead: Sylamore Trail.
- Bad Branch Trailhead: Syllamo Trail System.
- Blanchard Springs Caverns: The campground, day-use area, and pavilion are closed for renovations.
- Lake Wedington Recreation Area: The campground and cabins will be unavailable.
- Spring Lake Campground and Day-Use Area
In addition to these full closures, visitors to other areas within the forests may encounter reduced services. This could include less frequent mowing, fewer trash receptacles, and the temporary closure of some restrooms or bathhouses.
Plan Ahead and Stay Informed
The Forest Service encourages all visitors to check the latest status of recreation areas before they travel. Conditions can change, and new closures may be implemented. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the official websites:
- Ouachita National Forest: www.fs.usda.gov/ouachita
- Ozark-St. Francis National Forests: www.fs.usda.gov/ozark-stfrancis
For those who have made reservations at any of the closed recreation areas through www.recreation.gov, refunds will be processed automatically.
Practice Responsible Recreation
During this period of upgrades and repairs, the Forest Service asks for the public’s cooperation in protecting these natural spaces. Visitors are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles, including “pack-it-in, pack-it-out,” to help keep the forests clean and beautiful.
“We understand that these temporary closures and service reductions will affect our visitors’ plans,” said Forest Supervisor Dan Olsen in a recent press release. “We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as we work to make these necessary improvements for the future enjoyment of our national forests.”
Photos for this article are courtesy of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
