US Forest Service - Ozark-St Francis National Forests

08/19/2026

Sip, sip, hooray, hydrate all day!

Drink LOTS of water to stay hydrated while enjoying your national forests and grasslands.

Forest Service photo by Savannah Halleaux.

08/19/2026

The bridge at Gunner Pool Recreation Area is closed today, August 19, 2026 for inspection. To access the recreation area please use FSR 1102 from the south via AR Hwy 14.

08/18/2026

🚨8-18-26 9:30 a.m.

Office and Road Closures From Storms:

Pleasant Hill Ranger Station
Shores Lake Road and Campground
Bliss Ridge Road
Mineral Hill Road
Hurricane Creek Road
White Rock Mountain Recreation Area-all routes from south and west, White Rock Rim Trail

If you are driving or recreating in the national forest, be especially aware of overhead and roadway hazards. Look up, look around!

This post will be updated as additional closures are reported.

08/17/2026

8/17/26 - 4:00 p.m.

🚨Shores Lake Recreation Area and Bliss Ridge Road are closed due to storm damage. Roads may be closed for several days.

08/13/2026

From custom cabinetry to bourbon barrels, oaks are important species.

Mapping helps land managers prioritize where oak regeneration is most likely to succeed.

To learn more, visit: https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/69440

Forest Service photo by Christian Schroll.

08/12/2026

Download FREE Forest Service digital maps to find trails, campgrounds, and recreation areas near you.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/maps

08/11/2026

If you fly, we can’t.

When drones are in the area, firefighting aircraft have to be grounded, putting crews and communities at risk. Keep your drone away from fire zones so firefighters can do their job safely.

08/10/2026

There will be a one-day closure to complete work on Highway 123 at Gee Creek tomorrow, August 11, 2026. This closure is expected to last from 6am-6pm.

Big Piney Creek and Gee Creek - Johnson County
ARDOT Hwy. 123 Bridge Rehabilitations Closure Dates
https://ardot.gov/news/26-105/

Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has issued a news release announcing closure dates for Highway 123 Bridge Rehabilitations in Johnson County.

The Highway 123 bridge over Gee Creek is scheduled to close from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, July 20th through Friday, July 24th.

A signed detour will be in place. To reach the north side of the closure, traffic will take Highway 123 south to Highway 164, Highway 164 east to Highway 7, then Highway 7 north back to Highway 123. To reach the south side of the closure, traffic will take Highway 123 north to Highway 7, Highway 7 south to Highway 164, then Highway 164 west back to Highway 123.

Weather permitting, the closure will allow crews to perform bridge rehabilitation work. Highway 123 will remain open to local traffic only on either side of the closure.

Upcoming Closure on the Big Piney Creek Bridge:
Following completion of repairs to the Gee Creek Bridge, the Historic Big Piney Creek Bridge on Highway 123 will be closed for approximately 14 weeks for its own rehabilitation project. ARDOT will issue a separate news release announcing the specific closure dates once they are finalized.

https://opi-job-a80048-big-piney-bridge-rehab-2026-ardot.hub.arcgis.com/

08/09/2026

Join us in wishing a happy 82nd birthday to Smokey Bear! Thanks for always reminding us that “only you can prevent wildfires.”

08/07/2026

Ready to explore like a pro? Your next adventure is literally in your pocket!

The National Forests & Grasslands app gives you offline maps, trail info, safety alerts, and everything you need to roam confidently through your national forests and grasslands during American Adventures Month.

Download it now and start your journey.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/maps/mobile-app