Big Fir Public Use Area — Hotel in Hot Springs

Aug 2023 Blue Super Moon If you're into watching Super Moons & shooting stars, this is an excellent spot far from all the light pollution in the towns & cities that make watching the night sky near impossible Saw large pods of deer as well as several by themselves & 2 Bald Eagles this trip, haven't seen eagles for couple years so I was pretty jazzed admit that. Early mornings the cove is visited by a flock of geese. I was surprised at how low the water level was, lowest I've ever seen. Paddleboarding to the island there was a large sand bar (actually a rock bar), extremely shallow, couldn't be the board within 10'. Ouachita is a very shallow 200' at the dam, averaging 50', so when they let 20' water out of the dam it gets quite low. You need to know what areas to ski on. Shallow water, even at that mass, mixed with these extreme summer temperatures, the lake was easy 90 F which makes fit wonderful night swimming in the cool breeze. My dogs love it here! When we are the only ones at the campground, I don't tie them up. My Rottweiler is swimming b4 sun up with the geese & will sneak away fit the midnight swims airbus this trip having basically 4 nights of full moon was like a giant spotlight on us keeping the forest adjuvant and fish jumping and feeding all night long

CON!!

1. There's real bad biting flies that cone hot heavily in the hot sun. They don't leave welts or sores but man they hurt. I haven't found a bug spray that works that great, at least bit when your sweating in the sun or in the lake. If anyone has a solution, please pass it on. The flies preferred black fur. The castle dog line to float in my bean bag chair so we'd just go farther from shore. The routines head would b coveted and she'd swim out to us doing several circles around us leaving half the flies behind. If the breeze is strong enough it'll help w the flies.
2. You need water socks/ swimming saddles. The rocks will slice up your feet & near impossible, at least for me, to walk back up the hills to camp in flip flops. It can also b real rough on dogs pads, both mine will have at least one sore spot. The lower the water the easier it is on the dogs, more rocks, less slate. They still don't making swimming shoes for the dogs. Beware, if your dog has hiking boots they will fall off while swimming. At least all the styles I've tried. Have fun everyone & please remember "LEAVE NO TRACE". Unfortunately these days that might mean picking up after pervious visitors. I only had few paper towels on the site, paper towel stuffed in a log on the beach and 2 glass beer bottles. Glass isn't allowed in campground, idk how strict they r about handing out tickets. Sherif Dept drive through minimally once per night & forestry once per day. They do get your license plate number and will give you if you trash campground

Free camping on lake Quichita. No elect or water. There's dry bathroom. Cement picnic tables. There's room for small RVs. There's also a boat launch across road from campground for all the fisherman, party barges, & skiers. It's a great spot for beginner skiers, boarders & tubers in the cove. No hiking real hiking trails if one needs a trail to explore. Everytime I've been there for the day or camping in the tent there's only been a couple others & there been times I've had the place all to myself which was amazing. This weekend was a different story, it...

Water was low when I visited this area. Maybe it's just the time of year. I kayaked around the lake all day. Because of the lower water level, it was hard to find shade while kayaking. Make sure you bring sun screen! I got really burned on the open lake. The water is really clear and there are lots of islands to explore as well. Also,...

Stayed here over the weekend and loved it. It’s a “pack in, pack out” area, so take your trash with you. There are bathrooms, but there’s no running water. The ranger will come around and collect your info; be aware of that. Devin (spelling) was awesome. He gave us some info on fishing spots and about the underwater memorial to...