What do you prefer? I plan to do a four day trip over 4th of july weekend. I cant decide. I have not been to either

In the summer my vote is neither. If I had to pick somewhere, I would go to the Buffalo River and hike a combination of the Buffalo River Trail, Old River Trail, and maybe other trails in the Ponca Wilderness that are close to the river. I have hiked some of those trails in the summer and they can get overgrown in spots, but you can stay close to the river and cool off frequently.

I'm not sure where I would go in the Ouachitas. The Eagle Rock loop might not be too bad since it follows some rivers part of the way, but I have not ever been there. I would only consider a trail that is well-used (less weedy) and stays close to water most of the way.

My most "memorable" July 4th weekend backpacking trip consisted of about a mile in the Paddy Creek Wilderness in Missouri on a weedy trail in a creek bottom. After stopping four times to remove ticks, we went back to the car and spent the rest of the weekend car camping on a river.

Yeah, I'm with Slowfoot 100%.

My advice is to ditch the trails all together and do a float trip. If you've not floated the Buffalo River you should, and depending on the water level it could be perfect in July. It has been for the past couple years and looks good so far for this year too.

There are other creeks and rivers too, but the Buffalo is the best and I don't think anyone here would argue that.

The heat doesnt bother me. I live in Houston. I will be driving so distance is a factor. that looks pretty. Like something I would do in the fall on a week long trip. Its 10 hours from. Its doable. Just half my trip would be driving

The Ouachitas would definitely be closer to you than the Buffalo River. I have hiked all of the Ouachita Trail, the Caney Creek Wilderness, and the Cossatot River Trail, but I'm not sure any of those would be good choice for 3-4 days in the summer. Caney Creek and Cossatot probably aren't long enough for most people. The Ouachita Trail can have long distances between water sources, which isn't great for hot weather when you need to drink more. Even though I haven't hiked it, I would still recommend the Eagle Rock Loop most based on what I know about it.

The heat isn't necessarily what makes summer hiking so unpleasant for me. It's the thick brush, weedy trails, ticks, plants with sticky seed pods or leaves that get all over my socks and pants, and tiny bugs that buzz around my ears, eyes and nose all day. I started using a head net, but it makes my face that much hotter. And if I need sunscreen or bug spray, the combination of that with sweat makes my skin feel bad. And you lose the views that are there before the trees leaf out completely. And off-trail hiking is much harder to do.

Thanks for the insite. I guess I will find some place else to go. I had to quit hiking in east texas because of the ticks are bad right now.

You could do a float trip on the Ouchita River. It's about as close as you can get for backpacking.

A "float trip" is not a "White Water" thing, it's a "floating" thing. You meander down the river and let the current do most of the work. Most of the outfitters have very high quality canoes they rent that are made for the type of water you'll use them on so they are stable, easy to maneuver, and comfortable.

I use all the same gear I use when backpacking. I don't take anything different, though I can take a few luxury items along because I'm not carrying them on my back all day. Having a chair at camp is pretty sweet and you can take one on a float trip.

The scenery is amazing, the places you can camp are amazing, and you can do short hikes to super scenic spots along the way, plus take a swim in wonderfully pristine water anytime you want to cool off.

The key to enjoying a float trip is stop along the way and explore. More miles does not equate to more fun. Stopping and checking out all the cool spots you'll be seeing does though. If you talk to the outfitters they'll tell where the best spots are to camp and hike how far you should plan on going to get the most out of your trip.

Weekdays are better because if the weather and water are good on a weekend the rivers will be filled with people enjoying themselves.

Nothing like an Ozark river float. Some of best times were in a float boat on Beaver Creek. I suspect you know that stream Bill.

Indeed I do. I live less than a mile from the mouth of Beaver Creek where it enters Bull Shoals lake and my wife and I went swimming in it last Monday above Kissee Mills right across from the Devil's Tea Table.

Then on Tuesday we did a short 4 mile float on the Buffalo River. Both were just sweet as can be and there wasn't anyone within sight of us at either of them the entire time.

*the big rock by the bridge over highway (160?) was a favorite of mine to cool off on my way home. Just below the old mill dam.

Oh yeah!! I've swam over there many times and jumped off that rock with all my kids and all their friends, and even my grandkids now. That's an Ozark Icon!

My wife and I went there again today. It was hot and sunny and the water is still running good upstream from the bridge. We crossed the bridge and drove up to Robert's Ridge Rd and took that just a mile or so to a dirt road that heads down to the creek and Public land.

We had the best spot down there all to ourselves last week but there were a few people down there this time. We got there just as one small group was leaving so it was just us for a bit, but a few more came and went over the afternoon and a few were there when we left. Most of them were fishing as well as swimming.

There are some big gar and big cottonmouth water moccasins there so between that and the obscure dirt road it's only locals that goes there. I've camped and hiked all over back in there. Some good friends of mine were hunting back there a few years ago and saw a mountain lion. The only bobcat I've ever seen was back there.

My wife took this pic this afternoon. As you can see, I make a pretty decent hillbilly

I am going to head to the Ouachita area. Going to backpack in to winding stair which follows the Little Missouri river. The weather is saying 70 at night in Mena. should be a little cooler next to the water

That should be pretty nice. I've been to Mena and camped a few nights near there, but I don't recall exactly where. I know it wasn't on the Little Missouri and that looks sweet as can be.

That swimming hole at the falls looks perfect. I hope the area has some rain just before you get there and none when you're there so you can enjoy it at it's best!!!

I backpacked Eagle Rock Loop this weekend. I had a great time. It was hot but most of the hike was in the shade. Lots of ticks though. Thank god my dog is on Nextguard and my clothes and tent were treated with permetherin. This would be a much prettier hike in the fall