The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Le Flore County

Queen Wilhelmina State Park offers some of the most breathtaking views in the state from its fully renovated lodge. Known as the original “Castle in the Sky,” originally built in 1898, the lodge is situated on the 2,681-foot Rich Mountain—Arkansas' second highest peak. The original lodge was built in the late 1800s as a Victorian resort named Wilhelmina Inn to honor the young Queen of the Netherlands, after Dutch investors helped fund the construction of the railroad system. The park includes 41 campsites, including five tent sites with water, one hike-in tent site, picnic areas, and several short hiking trails, and the lodge features 40 rooms, a restaurant featuring Southern cuisine, and a gift shop. Dogs are welcome except in the restaurant and the large hearth room.

This state line location includes a historic boundary marker established in 1877 after a series of contentious surveys aimed at defining the border between Arkansas and what was then called Indian Territory. The inscription on its north face reads “48 M,” for the 48th mile, “1877” on the south face for the year the marker was installed, “ARK” for Arkansas on the east face, and “CHOC” for Choctaw Territory on the west. In 1976, the marker was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it one of the few remaining markers from this survey accessible to the public.

This backpacker's camp, located 300 feet west of the main campground, is open year-round and close to several trail systems, including the Ouachita National Recreation Trail (ONRT), Horsethief Trail, and Billy Creek Trail. It offers five tent pads, a picnic table, a fire ring, lantern poles, and a pit toilet, but no water. The main campground features 23 pull-in campsites with grills, fire rings, lantern poles, and three vault toilets. Situated on the crest of the Winding Stair Mountains, it's a favorite in the area for it's stunning views of the Ouachita Mountain Range. Campsites are first-come, first-served, with a fee of $3 ($8 for the main campground) at a self-pay station.

This trailhead for the Ouachita National Recreation Trail is a scenic crossing point over the Talimena Scenic Byway for thru hikers, and a starting point for hikers to explore other trails in the area. There is a small trailhead sign, but no parking. However, there is a parking area a short distance away at the Deadman Vista Overlook. Due to the limited availability of water sources in the area, especially during dry seasons, it is an ideal spot to store water for the upcoming few miles until you reach Cedar Branch or Horsethief Spring.

Talimena State Park serves as the Oklahoma entrance to Ouachita National Forest, the starting point for Talimena National Scenic Drive, and the official trailhead of the 223-mile Ouachita Trail. The park features RV and tent campsites, picnic areas, fire rings, a playground, hiking trails, drinking water, and restrooms with showers. There is also a small gift shop and a camp host on-site. Entry to the park and trail access is free. However, there is a $10/day fee for overnight parking. See information about a parking pass here: https://www.premiumparking.com/P4623

The Cedar Lake trail is a 3 mile loop on an 86 acre lake with scenic views from all aspects. The South and east sides are more developed with campgrounds. The north and west sides of the trail go through the woods but stay close to the shoreline. From the north parts of the trail, you can see Winding Stair Mountain in the distance.