Ouachita National Recreation Trail
~15 days · 213 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Ouachita National Recreation Trail is known for
The Ouachita National Recreation Trail is a long east-west traverse — officially 223 miles (about 359 km); Ridgefold's mapped route measures 342.8 km — through the Ouachita Mountains, running from Talimena State Park in Oklahoma across Arkansas. It follows forested ridgelines through the Ouachita National Forest, one of the few US ranges whose ridges run east to west rather than north to south. It is a point-to-point long-distance trail known for quiet, low-elevation ridge walking through oak-pine and hardwood forest.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 322 ft to 2,635 ft over 213 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 35.6 mi · 17%
- Downhill 32.6 mi · 15%
- Flat 143.3 mi · 68%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Ouachita National Recreation Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Ouachita National Recreation Trail scores 73/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Best season & permits
Season: Best hiked in fall through spring (roughly October to April), avoiding the hot, humid, tick-heavy summer of the interior South.
Permits: No permit is required for most of its length on Ouachita National Forest land, with dispersed camping generally allowed under standard national forest rules.
Official trail & permit info
Always confirm current conditions, closures, and permit rules with the managing authority before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Ouachita National Recreation Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Ouachita National Recreation Trail in about 15 days (14 nights out) over its 213 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Ouachita National Recreation Trail?
The Ouachita National Recreation Trail climbs roughly 29,902 ft total — about 140 ft per mile, topping out near 2,651 ft.
When is the best time to hike the Ouachita National Recreation Trail?
Best hiked in fall through spring (roughly October to April), avoiding the hot, humid, tick-heavy summer of the interior South.
Do you need a permit for the Ouachita National Recreation Trail?
No permit is required for most of its length on Ouachita National Forest land, with dispersed camping generally allowed under standard national forest rules.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.