Routes out of Ouachita National Forest please!

[Foster]

Hey guys. I am looking for some GREAT dual sport routes in ouachita national forest in Oklahoma. I am going down very soon and I am trying to hit the highlights. I am going to have a basecamp at Robber's Cave State Park. I am trying to avoid really rough stuff but anything in between would be great. Any help with route suggestions or gpx files would be MUCH appreciated!!! Thanks in advance guys! I am doing the White Rock area for the Hillbilly tour next week so would like to really focus on things a bit closer to Robber's Cave State Park. I am open minded though....

[troy]

I've not ridden down there, and I'm jealous that you are going. For years, I've wanted to make it down for the big Clayton, OK dualsport event. I'm told the Weyerhauser paper company has (or leases) a huge forest down there with hundreds of miles of logging roads and trails. I know there are some guys on this forum who have more information so hopefully they'll see this and chime in.

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Investigate some of these AdvRider links.

They mainly discuss on the OK Dualsport forum I think

[Foster]

Thanks Troy!! I will investigate the links. I have some basic routes up on dualsportmaps.com but I am afraid there is so much territory to cover that I will miss something I really should have done. There is always next time though if I do...

[troy]

How serious do you want to get with route planning? If you really want to spend the time, go download all the OK DOT county maps for the area you'll be in. These maps have an incredible amount of detail, are usually highly accurate, and actually show you which roads are paved vs gravel vs unimproved vs primitive. They also show low water crossings. Get familiar with the map legend.

Here is a link to the OK DOT website where you can select counties to download PDF maps:
http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/hqdiv/p- ... /index.htm

I got this info right here on RideForum.NET thanks to safiri.
http://www.rideforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1180

[Foster]

I am trying to plan as much as I can but I only have a few days left. I am hoping to have a general idea of the area and explore the Oklahoma section quite a bit. It is also practice for the hillbilly tour up in Ozark forest the next weekend!

[troy]

Kind of interesting...I got an email sent to notify@rideforum.net today from someone who works for the US Forest Service. He had some good information to share:

I’m no rider, but you have inquiry about riding opportuntities in SE Oklahoma. Check out Weyerhauser Roads around Broken Bow Lake as possible opportunity.

Weyerhaeuser Roads Open to the National Forest
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 039220.pdf

Another possibility is Choctaw Nations Trail (formerly Indian Nations Trail) in Ouachita NF near Talihina, OK. Unfortunately, it’s one of the trails for which I have no Forest Service Map, but check out the non-Forest Service maps at:

http://ouachitamaps.com/

Call our Talihina office at 918-567-2326 for more information.

[Foster]

Thanks for all the help Troy. I will have a ride report up soon. It was a great time and now I have to prep for the hillbilly tour this weekend.