Hiker Shuttles In Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Updated November 2021
The following are the shuttle services that I am aware of in the Ouachitas and Ozarks. I have used several in the past and was provided others by FoOT (Friends of the Ouachita Trail) and hikers visiting this page. None of us are associated with these parties so any shuttle arrangement is between you and them. You should call ahead of time to make arrangements and discuss the price of your trip, because most are not staffed for drop-in service and the cost of a shuttle may be higher than you are anticipating (they have to cover gas, the actual round-trip road mileage, wear and tear and the cost of the driver).
If you are aware of any other shuttles or find out that someone on the list is no longer providing the service, please email me and I’ll update this list.
Ozark Highland Trail, Buffalo River Trail, North Sylamore Creek Trail, and All Trails in between
- Twisteds Trails, Gil Shaffer (aka Twisted), 870-504-0397, gilshafferll@gmail.com. Heather Janke (aka OneWay) 907-347-6279, hikertrashtv@gmail.com. These folks are super experienced hikers and are trail angels. They help section and thru hikers with shuttles, resupplies and advice along the trails. They are new to the list (Nov 2021).
Buffalo River Trail
- Lost Valley Canoe, Ponca AR, 870-861-5522. Email: lostvalleycanoe@gmail.com. Located on AR 43 in Ponca.
Ozark Highlands Trail
- Moore Outdoors, near Dover and Long Pool AR, 479-331-3606. Located where AR 164 crosses the Big Piney, they also offer canoe and raft rental. http://www.mooreoutdoors.com/
- Hagarville Store, Hagarville AR, 479-885-6330. Located at the west end of town on the south side of Highway 123 (about a half mile west of where 123 and 164 split). The store is open seven days a week except Christmas (6am-6pm Mon-Fri, 7am-6pm Sat, 8am-6pm Sun). They have groceries, gasoline, diesel, ice, soft drinks, deli sandwiches, ice cream, camp supplies and FREE coffee. They provide shuttles to the Ozone, Fairview and Richland Creek areas. Call for prices and options. Allow at least three days notice. Email Mark Hodge.
- Turner Bend, Ozark AR, 479-667-3641. Located on AR 23 at Mulberry bridge south of Cass AR. http://www.turnerbend.com/oz_high_trail.html
Ouachita Trail – Oklahoma
- Latecia Glover, 479-216-8992. She has been shuttling the OT from Talhenia State Park to Big Brushy for over 3 years and is on call all the time. Email: taftlatecia@gmail.com
- Michael G Fulks, 918-383-0060.
- Talking Trees Campground, Hodgens OK, (918) 653-2187. Located 2.8 miles west of the junction of US 270 and US 259. http://www.talking-trees.com/default.htm. Talking Trees has a campground, modern cabins and the new Seminole Long House for groups. Showers, spa, massage (24 hour notice) and breakfast with homemade biscuits (YES!) are available for guests.
- Woodswitch Farm, Mena AR, 479-437-3549, mobile 936-825-1441. Located 2.2 miles east the AR/OK border on AR 8 (OK 63). Besides hiker shuttles, Woodswitch boards horses and can help with equestrian shuttles. Ask for Sam. www.woodswitch.com.
Ouachita Trail – Arkansas
- XRich Mt. Country Store, Mena AR, 479-394-5300. Located near the intersection of Hwy 270 & 272 near OT mile 57. Hwy 272 is the road to Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Last I heard they were not shuttling, however, if you come up empty, maybe they know someone. Besides, we had a great post-hike breakfast at the store (a mile from the US270 trailhead) and just want to plug them. http://hometown.aol.com/rmcountrystore/myhomepage/profile.html
- Story Junction, Story AR, 870-867-3999. Located near the corner of AR 298 and US 27, near OT mile 122.
- Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters, Hot Springs AR, 501-767-1373. Not located near trail but can help in eastern portions near Hot Springs, OT miles 121 – 190. Contact Don Jackson at jackson@direclynx.net.
- Bill Mooney, Little Italy, AR. 501-330-2843. When you can't find any other ride. This is not a business, just a fun thing. Will shuttle (if available) from HWY 7 (OT MM 160.4) to Pinnacle Mountain State Park (OT MM 222). Has been known to shuttle through hikers from Talimena State Park to Pinnacle Mountain State Park.