Oklahoma - Charlton Trail

Trail Description:

The Charlton Trail begins at Charlton Recreation Area and ends at Crystal Springs Campground on beautiful Lake Ouachita. Both areas offer camping, picnicking, and swimming. This trail is a popular day-hike, traveling up and down mountain slopes through a mixed hardwood and pine forest. Beautiful displays of wildflowers await travelers during the spring and summer months. Although its primary use is hiking, the trail is also open to mountain bicyclists.

Surrounding Areas: Camp, swim, and picnic at Charlton Recreation Area or Crystal Springs Campground at either end of the trail; Lake Ouachita offers visitors a broad array of water sports opportunuties, restaurants, and overnight accommodations; Hickory Nut Mountain, which can be accessed from the trail or Highway 270 on Forest Road 47, offers a panoramic view of Lake Ouachita.

Hiking the Charlton Trail:

Trail Information: Travel time is about 1.5 to 2 hours across an unpaved trail of various grades. White rectangles mark the trail.
Site Amenities: The trail begins and ends at Charlton Recreation Area and Crystal Springs Recreation Area at Lake Ouachita. Drinking water is available at both sites.
Difficulty level: First half-mile is most difficult; the rest of the trail is easy to more difficult. Safety: Treat water from springs, streams, and lakes before drinking.
Requirements: Trail is open to hiking and mountain bikes only.
Recommended Season: Spring, fall, and winter.