Hickory Nut Mountain Picnic Area

Open — Open year-round for day use only. No overnight camping permitted at the picnic area.

About

Hickory Nut Mountain Picnic Area sits near the top of Hickory Nut Mountain in Montgomery County, Arkansas, within the Ouachita National Forest. Located approximately 24 miles west of Hot Springs via Highway 270, this day-use recreation area offers visitors spectacular panoramic views of Lake Ouachita and the surrounding Ouachita Mountains. The picnic area features numerous picnic tables scattered throughout the forested setting, with some tables positioned to take advantage of the sweeping vistas over the lake to the north. The site is equipped with grills and fire rings for daytime use, and vault toilets are available on-site. No drinking water is provided, so visitors should bring their own. The picnic area serves as one of the trailheads for the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT), a popular multi-use trail system. A short 1.1-mile hike from the picnic area leads to the Hickory Nut Mountain Vista overlook and the old Forest Service fire tower site, which includes concrete tower anchors, the foundation of the fire watcher's cabin, a water cistern, and National Geological Survey medallions installed in 1953. This is strictly a day-use facility; overnight camping is not permitted at the picnic area itself. However, there is a separate dispersed camping area located elsewhere on Hickory Nut Mountain for those seeking overnight accommodation. Access is via Hickory Nut Mountain Road off Highway 270, with the final stretch being a gravel forest road. No fees are required to use the picnic area.

Directions

From Hot Springs, AR, take Highway 270 west for approximately 24 miles to Hickory Nut Mountain Road. Turn and follow the gravel forest road to the picnic area near the mountaintop.

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