Garland and Montgomery Counties
Lake Ouachita | Buckville Water Trail
- From Arkansas Highway 298 in Garland County, turn south on Buckville Road at the Buckville Recreation Area sign, about 16 miles west of Blue Springs.
- Travel 3.4 miles to the community of Avant.
- Turn left on Rabbit Trail Road and travel 0.8 miles to the Rabbit Tail Access.
Quick Facts
- Download the free Avenza Map app from the App Store on mobile device.
- Choose a trail and tap on the geo-referenced map.
- Tap on the map again and choose “Open in Avenza Maps” or choose “More” and tap on the Avenza Map icon.
- Map is saved in Avenza Map app.
- A blue dot marks your location on the map.
- The trail map uses the phone’s GPS. If cell reception is poor, put phone on airplane mode to conserve power.
- Download the free Avenza Map app from the App Store on mobile device.
- Choose a trail and tap on the geo-referenced map.
- Tap on the three dots in the upper-right corner.
- Choose “Send File” and tap the Avenza Map icon.
- Map is saved in Avenza Map app.
- A blue dot marks your location on the map.
- The trail map uses the phone’s GPS. If cell reception is poor, put phone on airplane mode to conserve power.
Water Trail Length
Rabbit Tail to Buckville: 5.4 miles. Paddlers usually cover about 2 miles per hour.
Lake Conditions
Nestled within the Ouachita National Forest, Lake Ouachita offers 700 miles of undeveloped shoreline and more than 100 islands. Coves near Rabbit Tail Access provide protected areas for paddling. Stay near the shoreline and choose a low wind day to paddle the Buckville Water Trail.
Hazards
Wind can create substantial waves and rough water. Motorboat traffic increases on weekends and holidays. Stick to quiet coves and avoid open water.
Emergency Contacts
Garland County EMS
911
Garland County Sheriff’s Office
501-622-3660
Corps of Engineers Field Office
501-767-2101
Stop Poaching Hotline
833-356-0824
Other
Kayak Outfitter
Ouachita Kayak Tours
Watch for wintering bald eagles and waterfowl, and listen for loons calling. Wading birds stalk shallow water in search of prey. Red and white oaks and shortleaf pine dominate the landscape. Migratory songbirds flit about blooming dogwoods, serviceberry and redbuds during spring.
Enjoy fishing for bream, crappie, catfish, striped bass and largemouth bass. The coves around Rabbit Tail Access offer ideal fishing opportunities with submerged standing timber and steep banks that drop into the water. Check Arkansas Game and Fish Commission fishing regulations.
The Army Corps of Engineers manages primitive campsites at Buckville and Avant. Paddlers may camp on the lake’s many islands (check Corps regulations) or along the shore in the Ouachita National Forest. Pack out trash.