albert pike

[river trance1]

is it worth camping here? and top picks for campgrounds on lake ouachita? Looking for seclusion and water. We used to always go to Denby point. Thanks

[David Holthus]

Albert Pike has become a haven for travel trailers and 4 wheelers lately, so if you are wanting quiet and seclusion I would not pick Albert Pike. I like the campgrounds on the north side of Lake Ouachita like Buckville or Cedar Fourche.

[ouachita hiker]

On a recent trip to Albert Pike I encountered every campsite taken. Lots of traffic. People in the water every were, was trying to fish and gave up on that. Took the road to Little Mo Falls and at every turn off and stream I found campers. Little Mo Falls area was packed, I turned around and left! I won't return till fall. Was wondering about all of those campers next to those streams after all of the heavy rain of that weekend.

[David Holthus]

Bard Springs used to be a favorite of mine in the Little Missouri area. It is on the road from Albert Pike to the Tall Peak / Caney Creek area, but it had been closed the last couple of times I went by. Does anyone know the current status of Bard Springs?

[ouachita hiker]

Baird Springs is open. Took my grand kids up there to swim about 1 month ago. This is a nice place to visit but I don't know if I would want to camp there. The trash hadn't been picked up in a wile. There isn't any hook ups at all. Don't know if that makes a difference.

[ouachita hiker]

I just thought that if you were to want to camp in the area of Albert Pike or Baird Springs you might give Shady Lake some consideration. It is clean, the building was originally build by the CCC back in the 30's, or was it the 40's? The bath house has been with in the last couple of years updated and repainted. Some sites to have water and elec. but some don't. I don't know how heavily it is used this time of the year. Has a nice small lake.

[David Holthus]

Shady Lake is nice, I agree. I liked Bard Springs because there were no hook ups which means no RVers. I am glad to see it open again. Thanks Tom

[ouachita hiker]

Well at Baird Springs you won't have any problem staying cool with the spring fed creek right there!

[panicman]

albert pike is pretty good if you go there in the off season. we have been in the fall or early spring and there are some pretty good mt. bike rides to be had.

[Zakkt]

Albert pike is good and fun. If you really want seclusion and water there is a specific place on the river you need to be. I will take one for the team and publicly disclose the best place on the river for camping

Head towards lil'mo falls. It's several miles back, but you will eventuall come to a specific bridge. It isn't a low water bridge, and one of the few remaining old bridges. The road after the bridge starts a steady incline. Before you get to this bridge there is a horribly rooty campsite to the left and two decent ones to the right. Nobody stays at the one to the left; however there is still a fire ring for the occasional crew.

Once you have located this specific bridge and the trashed camp site walk up stream. It's a straight shot up stream for about 50 yards. Most people wouldn't walk past this point (the woods are kinda thick). The stream will make a turn to the right. There is a hole that is up to 10 or 12 feet deep in places and is a holdover so it's year round. When the water is cookin' there is three cool waterfalls that pour in to the hole. There is a miniature sandbar there along with a few spots to hang a hammock. If you aren't against climbing a slight incline you can climb directly up the hill to your right to get to the road (you can see it from the sandbar). There is two paths; you will notice a substantial difference. One is merely good for sliding down ice chests from the road The last time we were there I was even able to slide my boat down the slippery one and play around in the pool. As long as you avoid the only rock in the pool it's perfect for rolling.
There is a rope swing there but be careful. There is a rock directly below it so be sure to "get good air"

P.S. If you find the glow in the dark frisbee, be sure to leave it there when you are done with it. We found it there several years ago and always leave it there for whoever finds the place next.