Hodgen is home to Ouachita National Forest, which offers opportunities for camping, hiking, and horseback riding. For planning, it’s worth taking a closer look at the individual trails and areas: options range from a loop suitable for beginners to long hiking and horseback riding trails. At Cedar Lake, activities on and around the water are also a focus.
Hiking Trails of Varying Lengths
The Ouachita National Recreation Trail System comprises nearly 50 miles of trails for beginners, intermediate users, and experienced users. One option specifically suited to beginners is the Turkey Snout Loop, which is just over four miles long. The distances offer different scales for planning a trip: a single loop on one end and a more extensive trail network on the other.
At Cedar Lake, a three-mile hiking trail loops around the lake. In the Beech Creek National Scenic & Botanical Area, the trail system includes 32 miles of hiking trails across 7,500 acres. One of the trails there is a nine-mile loop that crosses a creek. These routes differ not only in length: crossing a creek is also part of the Beech Creek loop. Trail conditions and markings can change; check the latest information before setting out.
Cedar Lake: Water Activities and Camping
Cedar Lake covers 86 acres and is surrounded by hills with pine and oak trees. Boating, swimming, hiking, and fishing are popular activities. There is a clear limit on outboard motors: those with a maximum of 7.5 horsepower are permitted. If you’d like to combine time at the lake with a hike, there’s a three-mile trail around the water.
The recreation area around Cedar Lake has swimming areas, campsites, a boat ramp, and fishing piers. Check whether these facilities are available for your visit before traveling. Cedar Lake is regularly stocked with largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish; stocking practices can change. If fishing is an important part of your plans, get the latest information in advance. Cedar Lake Campground offers equestrian, group, and family sites.
Horseback Riding Trails and Campsites
Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp serves as a central starting point for more than 70 miles of horseback riding trails. More than 130 campsites for equestrians are available for overnight stays there, including sites with electricity and water hookups, as well as non-electric and undeveloped sites. This lets you consider two practical questions separately: the length of the riding trail network and the type of campsite. Access and trail conditions can change; check for updates before heading out. You should also check campsite availability and amenities before traveling.
Winding Stair and Talimena Scenic Drive
Winding Stair Campground serves as a starting point for the Ouachita National Recreation Trail and is located along the Talimena Scenic Byway. Campsites at the campground are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Winding Stair Recreation Area is a separate named place: it is on Winding Stair Mountain and offers views of southeastern Oklahoma and the Winding Stair Mountain Range. There are 23 campsites there, with tables, fire rings, lantern posts, and grills. As amenities can change, check the latest information before traveling.
Talimena Scenic Drive features historic sites and numerous overlooks with panoramic views. Horsethief Springs is a historic site along the scenic drive. This lets you add nature and scenery to your trip with a visit to a historic place, without requiring a particular order for your visits.
More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Heavener, Poteau
Back to the main travel overview: Le Flore.
