Lake Ouachita Vista Trail

Just opened the first 5  mile leg of the planned forty mile long Vista trail.  This trail is designed to provide a new way to enjoy the beauty of Lake Ouachita without being in or on the water.  The trail begins at Denby Bay and follows the hilly shoreline for approximately five miles where it terminates at the entrance to the US Corp of Engineers Thompkins Bend Campground.  The first 2.5 miles has been rated blue by IMBA with several long grades that dip into hollows covered in old growth high canopies.  The last 2.5 miles truly hugs the lake with multiple high vistas of the Lake.  You will enjoy the steep drop on "Ole Breathless" a 20% grade into Hush Hollow a serene moss and fern lined hollow where the only sound you will hear is the stucco of the Great Pileated Woodpecker or a fussy chickadee.  You can look for the Coon Tree Hotel an old growth Oak Tree that Raccoons love to sleep in or find the Squirrel Head Tree.  When you finish coast on down to the Shangri-La Resort for some of their famous homemade pies.

Directions

(From the West)
Take Us 270 east from Mt. Ida about 10 miles to Shangri-La Road take a left and go one block to Trail's End Road and take another left.  Go to the end of the road where it terminates at the lakeshore where you will find the southern trailhead parking area.

(From the East)
Take Us 270 west from Hot Springs about 25 miles from last stop light.  Turn right onto Shangri-La Rd go one block turn left onto Trail's End Rd and go to the end of the road where it terminates at the lakeshore.  Trailhead is to the left of the Parking lot