Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

The 1.2 million-acre Ozark National Forest in northwest Arkansas is full of striking features, from the craggy bluffs of the state's highest point on Mount Magazine to the underground sculptures in Blanchard Springs Caverns.

Six wild and scenic rivers, five wilderness areas and seven scenic byways can be found in this forest.

Fishing and canoeing are two of the most popular activities. Smallmouth bass, perch and trout inhabit many mountain streams. Thousands of canoeists and kayakers seek whitewater on the streams during spring.

Hiking, horse and bike trails twist and turn throughout the forest, many of them skirting rocky creeks that spill over waterfalls. The Moccasin Gap and Huckleberry Mountain horse trails, designed primarily for equestrians, are also open to hiking, mountain biking and motorized vehicles. Hiking trails include the 165-mile-long Ozark Highlands Trail.

The 21,000-acre St. Francis National Forest juts out of the delta region of eastern Arkansas in striking contrast to the cropland nearby. Most of the forest is on Crowley's Ridge, but some is in the low and flat lands along the Mississippi and St. Francis rivers. This lowland offers ideal habitat for deer, turkey, squirrel, raccoon, rabbit and waterfowl.

Storm Creek and Bear Creek lakes and the St. Francis and Mississippi rivers attract large numbers of anglers who try for striped and largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bream.