We were looking forward to seeing the Ozarks and decided to camp four nights at Ouachita State Park. We thought that crossing the Mississippi would be a big deal, but we almost didn’t even realize it happened. We’ve found, in general, state parks have some of the best facilities and Ouachita SP was great! 
We hiked the Caddo Trail in the park, which went around the outside of the peninsula. Not only was it beautiful, but it was an interesting display of the damage a tornado can do. A tornado ripped through in 2011 and it’s path is still very apparent.
It was surprisingly hot while we were in Arkansas, so we went down to the lake to swim almost every afternoon to cool off. It’s a man-made lake and it’s banks are steep and rocky. After getting over our fears of a Loch Ness Lake Monster, we had a grand time.
We spent a day going out to Petit Jean State Park to hike the Seven Hollows Trail. It’s ranked as one of the best in Arkansas and it did not disappoint. It had a grotto, a natural bridge, caves, and lots of unique geological formations. We were also informed by a friendly gentleman in the parking lot that we have been pronouncing Ouachita wrong for days. It’s washy-TAW not waa-SHE-ta. Oh well.
One day, we drove into Hot Springs which is also the smallest National Park. We wandered around the promenade, toured a bathhouse, went to a brewery, and learn that Hot Springs is the childhood home of Bill Clinton.
We ended our last day with another swim in the lake, and hammock stargazing. Overall, we had a low-key, but great time in the Ozarks.
Some campsite cooking:
Highlights of the Ozarks in Arkansas
- Petit Jean state park, would recommend the seven hollows trail
- Lots of Ouachita SP activities, particularly swimming in the lake