Ozark Highlands Trail Association

Matney Camp Restoration Celebration
2025-12-06 | Matney Camp
Several years ago, Matney Camp was decommissioned by the Forest Service, and since then, time, neglect, and the elements have taken their toll on what was left of the camp. As some of you know, the camp itself is accessible by a spur trail and by boat from the White River. On the OHT North map, the camp is designated by only a ‘basic camping’ symbol.

For months, Gordon King and a small group of recruits have devoted time to restoring Matney Camp, but the bulk of the effort devoted to the site came from Gordon. After all this time, the hard work everyone put into the camp has paid off—the camp is restored.
What all Matney Camp will or can be used for is yet to be determined, but three things are for sure: 1) It’s a great place for family activities, 2) it’s a nice site for bringing in the new year, and 3) Matney Camp will be the location of a Restoration Celebration on Saturday, December 6, 2025!!Here are the details:

Those wanting to hike roughly three miles from Matney Knob Trailhead (MKTH) to the camp can meet at MKTH at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
Food, water/soft drinks, and utensils for the celebration will be brought in from the river by Gordon King —byo adult beverages.
Those not wanting to do the three-mile hike can be shuttled to the intersection of Matney Camp Spur Trail and Highway 341—the parking area near the intersection of the two is limited to four vehicles at the most.
If you want to kayak/canoe yourself and/or family/friends to the event, you are encouraged to do so—children and fur babies are certainly welcome.
If you have an instrument and want to play some music, please bring it along!
Want to bring a board game—please do!
The festivities will likely end somewhere between 2 and 3 p.m.
If you want to turn this into an overnight backpacking event, please bring along your camping gear as everyone is welcome to stay through the night.
The camp has picnic tables and an outhouse that are in very nice shape.

So we can make food and beverage plans, please send an email to OHTA@ozarkhighlandstrail.com. Be sure to include your name and the number of folks who are coming with you—their names are optional, but including them would be appreciated.

Jan. 2026 Board of Directors Meeting
2026-01-11 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Fossil Cove Brewing, 1946 N. Birch Ave., Fayetteville, AR, 72703, United States
Sunday, January 11, 2026, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Fossil Cove Brewing Company
1946 North Birch Avenue
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703
Old Tap Room (entrance is the first door on the street side of the building)
Everyone is welcome to attend, so we hope to see you there!

Spring 2026 Ozone Workday
2026-02-28 | AR
This Spring, along with the trail adopters annual maintenance on their sections, we will have a few days dedicated to taking care of a few areas along the trail. The first work day this Spring will be on Saturday February 28, 2026. The location will be around the Highway 21 area, both East and West of Ozone TH. Treadwork, building steps, getting water off of the trail, and taking care of an unadopted section are on the agenda.
There will be free camping at Bill & Donna Hignite’s cabin, located near Ozone TH. Showers, bathrooms available. Volunteers will be able to camp Friday night and Saturday night, but we will only work on the trail Saturday Feb 28. Dinner will be provided to all volunteers on Saturday evening. Bring your own breakfast and lunch on the trail. The OHTA will provide all equipment and tools needed to work on the trail. Due to the amount of work and space at the Hignite’s, this workday will be limited to 30 volunteers.
Sign Up Here
Chris Adams will be sending more specific information to everyone that signed up when we get closer to Feb 28.

2026 OHTA Rendezvous
2026-04-24 - 2026-04-26 | Tyler Bend Campground, 170 Ranger Road, St. Joe, AR, 72675
Location: Tyler Bend Campground
Friday through Sunday, April 24 thru 26, 2026
No fee for tent only camping in the following group sites: G1, G2, G3 (no electricity)
Check in time on Friday, April 24: 1 p.m.
Check out time on Sunday, April 26: 12 p.m.
Pavilion reserved for Saturday, April 25 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (group shelter has electricity)
Saturday evening meal and the OHTA annual meeting will be held in the Pavilion
Evening meal served at or around 5:30 p.m.
Annual meeting starts at or around 7 p.m.
OHTA members and their families and friends of all ages are welcome to join the fun and festivities! Our furry friends are welcome, as well, but remember, Buffalo National River (BNR) regulations are that they must be on a leash that is no longer than 6 feet—sorry fur babes and fur parents!
OHTA’s annual meeting will be held after Saturday evening’s meal, and the winners of the 2026 election of Board candidates will be announced.
There is no charge to attend the Rendezvous, and pitching your tent in any one of the three group camping areas reserved by OHTA is free!
Tyler Bend Campground amenities

Hiking trails galore
Buffalo River Trail/Ozark Highlands Trail (BRT/OHT)
Tyler Bend Trail System
Old River Trail (ORT)
RV sites (non-electric) – some sites are currently available for reservation – others available on a first-come basis
Shower and toilet facilities onsite

Lodging options nearby

Sky Hawk Ridge, St. Joe, AR
Anna’s Guest House, Gilbert, AR
Buffalo River Outfitters, St. Joe, AR
Triple D Cabin Rental, St. Joe, AR (it’s right on Hwy 65 at the intersection of Hwy 65 and Hwy 333–the road that takes you down to Sky Hawk Ridge and Anna’s Guest House)
Gilbertstore.com

Dining options nearby

Ferguson’s Store and Restaurant
Big Springs Trading Co.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If your intentions are to attend, please let us know as soon as possible so plans can be made in regard to purchasing necessary food and supplies. You can email us at: OHTA@ozarkhighlandstrail.com

2026 National Trails Day Celebration
2026-06-06 | AR
National Trails Day is on Saturday, June 6, 2026, and we are planning a celebration at Redding Campground. This is an open invitation to all OHT members. Feel free to come for the day or stay overnight. There will be some folks there on Friday and staying until Sunday.
There will be a taco bar starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 6th.
Water, soda and tea will be provided. Bring your own adult beverage if you are so inclined.
Plates and eating utensils will also be provided. Feel free to bring your own to reduce environmental impact.
Please RSVP by June 1 so all food and other items can be purchased prior to the event.
Send responses to:
Gordon Brown: GMAN72466@outlook.com
Yvonne Liske: bebon66@gmail.com
Once we know how many people are attending, a request may be sent out for additional items.
Location: Redding Recreation Area
Latitude: 35.68282778
Longitude: -93.78651111
Directions:
From Cass, take Arkansas 23 north to AR 215, then turn right (east) on Forest Service Road 1003 for 3 miles.

June 2026 OHTA Board Meeting
2026-06-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Fossil Cove Brewing, 1946 N. Birch Ave., Fayetteville, AR, 72703, United States
Fossil Cove Brewing Company, Old Tap Room
946 N Birch Avenue,
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Primary Agenda: Board will elect its new officers for the 2026-2027 fiscal year

August 2026 OHTA Board Meeting
2026-08-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Fossil Cove Brewing, 1946 N. Birch Ave., Fayetteville, AR, 72703, United States
The OHTA will be holding a board meeting on Aug 23, 2026 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Fossil Cove Brewing.
1946 North Birch Avenue
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703
Agenda

Fall 2026 OHTA West Basecamp
2026-09-18 - 2026-09-20 | Mulberry Mountain, 4117 Mulberry Mountain Loop #9306, Ozark, AR, 72949, United States
Will be held at Mulberry Mountain Sept. 18-20. More details will be added as they are worked out.
Sign up here

Fall 2026 OHTA East Basecamp
2026-10-02 - 2026-10-04 | AR
Will be held Oct. 2-4. More details will be added as they are worked out.

Fall 2026 OHTA North Basecamp
2026-10-09 - 2026-10-11 | White Oak Cabins & RV, 1655 Highway 14, Fifty Six, Arkansas, 72533
Will be held Oct. 9-11 at White Oak Cabins. More details will be added as they are worked out.

2026 Hare Mountain Hike-In
2026-11-07 - 2026-11-08 | Hare Mountain
The 2026 Hare Mountain Hike-In, a celebration to commemorate the 1981 birth of the Ozark Highlands Trail Association, will be held November 7-8, 2026.
Get your gear ready, gather together your family members, call all of your friends, and start deciding on a great dish you can bring for a top-o’-the-mountain potluck. You might even give some thought to some of the tall tales you could share with all the folks who will join you around the campfire near the summit of Hare Mountain for this year’s Hike-In.
If you want to be a part of 2026’s special occasion, there are multiple locations from which to start your hike. However, the spot closest to where everyone will camp on Hare Mountain is the Hare Mountain/Morgan Field Trailhead (can be located on the Ozark Highlands Trail—West map available in OHTA’s online store). From there it is a mere 1.7 mile hike to the top.
There is plenty of room to camp, but be sure to pack in all the water you will need. Come one, come all. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce someone who is new to hiking to the spectacular beauty of the Ozark mountains and the unparalleled experience of primitive camping.
