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Lake Ouachita Vista Trail - IMBA Epic

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 3.9 (28)
  1. Areas
  2. AR
  3. …West-Central AR
  4. …Ouachita National Forest
  5. Lake Ouachita
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“An IMBA Epic on the south shore of Lake Ouachita. Climbs lead to great views. ”

Joe Jacobs
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Map Key

38.3

Miles

61.6

KM
Singletrack

1,295' 395 m

High

486' 148 m

Low

3,683' 1,123 m

Up

3,785' 1,154 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

30%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Need to Know

There is a parking area at the east end of the trail at the Blakely Mt. Trailhead.

Description

Built over the last 10 or 15 years on both Corps of Engineers and US Forest Service land, the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) covers 40 plus miles of shoreline and ridge top tiding. A favorite for both mountain bikers and distance runners alike.

Start at either end or one of several trailheads in the middle. The western end is lower lands with rolling hills between Joplin and Denby. The middle includes tough climbs to the top of Hickory Nut Mountain where riders can take in breathtaking views of Lake Ouachita and the Ouachita Mountains. The eastern section is dominated by a long ridge ride with more beautiful views.

Nearby are the towns of Mount Ida (home of the Womble Trail - IMBA Epic ) to the west and Hot Springs to the east. Various campgrounds and resorts dot the area near the trail giving visitors plenty of options to stay overnight.

FYI - The western section of the trail is in a dry county so byob if you would like an after libation.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Ouachita National Forest Office

Shared By:

Joe Jacobs with improvements by Ryan M
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 28 votes

#1

in Lake Ouachita

#973

Overall
  3.9 from 28 votes
5 Star
43%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
18%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
11%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Lake Ouachita

#45

in Arkansas

#973

Overall
84 Views Last Month
21,687 Since Apr 24, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
54%
18%
25%
4%
Add a Photo

Photos

Views of Lake Ouachita
Apr 24, 2015 near Piney, AR
20 Miles from Denby point to crystal meadows!
Jun 3, 2021 near Mount Ida, AR
Cruising along the Lovit
Feb 6, 2018 near Piney, AR
LOViT, from Denby Bay Trailhead
Oct 3, 2015 near Mount Ida, AR
Just some of the great scenery along the trail.
Oct 10, 2016 near Mount Ida, AR
Womble Trail Lake View
Oct 16, 2019 near Mount Ida, AR

8 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

May 22, 2023
Steven Baum
Fallen trees on ridge were quite the slog, need some chainsaws and shovel to repair areas that were ruined! Rode from Charlton to east end of trail 22.9mi — 4h 14m
Nov 9, 2022
Shawn Pace
This trail is NOT the singletrack it's talked up to be. It's a 5-10' wide brush hogged hunters road. Period. Highly evident atvs use this trail.
Apr 25, 2022
Tim Heighway
Rode after some rain - so the many creek crossings were full, couple quite deep, manicured trails from Denby to Joplin, other sections can be rough — 6h 22m
Oct 31, 2020
Hans Runge
Jun 17, 2020
Wade Priddy
Started at Crystal Springs. Didn't make it to vistas, but great ride. A couple of good size trees requiring "portage" down across the trail. 9mi — 2h 00m
Sep 2, 2019
hadan phillips
23mi — 4h 00m
Aug 17, 2019
Bryan White
3.2mi
Aug 2, 2019
Mark Baillie
Flatted on way back 9.6mi

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