Blanchard Springs Caverns Recreation Area, off SR 14 north of Mountain View, features a large spring that gushes 1,200 gallons of water per minute; nearby are Blanchard Springs Caverns.
Alum Cove Natural Bridge Recreation Area, north of Deer on FR 1206, preserves a 130-foot-long natural arch. Cove Lake, a 160-acre mountain lake southeast of Paris on SR 309 near Mount Magazine offers camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing and boating. The 150-mile-long Ozark Highland Trail affords opportunities for hiking and nature study. Campers should phone ahead to verify accessibility to camping areas. The Russellville visitor center is open Mon.-Fri. 8-4:30; closed federal holidays.
Information about the forest's many other recreation areas is available from the Forest Supervisor's Office, Ozark National Forest, 605 W. Main St., Russellville, AR 72801; phone (479) 964-7200.