Tiny little Cedar Lake has a profound effect on many visitors. Some of the people I talked to there had driven 400 miles to get back, and had passed larger lakes on the way. As I drove in the first time I had the crushing urge to stop, build my home and STAY THERE! Many moons later I feel drawn back to the area just as once I longed for home.
Cedar Lake
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| During the Great Depression and the Roosevelt
Administration Unit 810 of the Civilian Conservation Corp came to Stapp
Oklahoma from Fort Sill. During most of 1933 they slept in 8 man
Army tents. After that they moved into 40 man barracks.
Fires were fought, trees planted and Conservation practices improved, thanks to these dedicated men. Cedar Lake has 86 acres surrounded by pine and Oak covered hills. Even in a fierce drought the lake level remains the same. Black bear have been seen running around loose in the area. There are tons of crows and ravens. Blue birds, finches, woodpeckers, raccoons, possum, armadillo are abundant, and there are a few beaver in the lake. That makes this a perfect place to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. The first thing people ask about when they drive into the self-service check station is the hiking trails. The favorite trail is three miles long and loops around the whole lake. Then there is the eleven mile trail to Horse Thief Springs that will challenge your gasping power. The second thing people ask about is the fishing. The caretaker of 2005 tells them he saw one ten pounder Large Mouth Bass come out. "There are catfish and bluegill out there too." The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, 1807 North Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, 405 744-1039, regulates the fishing and hunting. |
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Nearby attractions include the Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp,
Winding Stair Mountain Equestrian Trails, Horsethief Springs Trail,
and the 54-mile Talimena Scenic Drive.
Campers and day visitors can choose from a wide variety of activities,
including picnicking, swimming, fishing, canoeing, hiking the 3-mile trail
around the lake, walking a short nature trail, or just relaxing. ATVs are
welcome in some areas.
No motors larger than 7-1/2 horsepower are allowed on the lake.
LocationCedar Lake is about 12 miles south of Heavener, OK, and 40 miles west of Mena, AR. Holson Valley Road cuts off of US Highways 59/270 or US Highway 271. Here you will find
Almost every campsite here has a picnic table, tent pad, fire-ring, lantern pole and a paved parking spur. Several camping areas may be reserved by calling the national reservation system at 1-877-444-6777 A word of caution or two:Sometimes the water in this area looks clean enough to drink -- Don't! Most of the snakes here are harmless, but copperheads and cotton mouths are found in the area and these can be aggressive when trod upon in the dark. Remember, they can see in the dark, and you can't Take a flashlight with you when wandering around after the sun goes down. |
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Note the cat tails on the left bank.
Before letting your children play in this area
thump these bushes to run out any stray snakes.
The gravel is a little bit thin right now
at the swimming beaches,
but improvements are on the way.
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| Equestrian Camping facilities are off to one side and for
all intents and purposes, separate. A uniformed Ranger checks papers
to make sure all horses are healthy and protected from the latest
diseases. This area seems to be better managed and is very
definitely fuller and more appreciated. Nearby horse owners make it
a point to come here every day for a twelve to fifteen mile workout.
Other owners I talked to (who came directly here) came from Dallas,
Arlington, Tulsa and OKC. One group from Canada was traveling around
the country.
Some of the travel rigs that show up here are huge, sprawling affairs more like homes than travel trailers. One rig, for example, expanded to have five bedrooms available. There are about 100 equestrian camping sites, and an overflow area besides that. Come a good 3-day holiday and everything there is full. Camping spaces rent out from $3 up to $25 per night, depending on the amount of luxury you want to wrap yourself in. Firepits and or barbecue units are standard fare. For horses that throw a shoe there is a farrier living about six miles away. If your hose gets sick then veterinarians at Heavener can take care of you. The showers and facilities in this area are thoroughly modern with fluorescent lighting and heating when necessary. |
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Mr. and Mrs. Joe Washburn of Hodgen Oklahoma come up every day
for a workout.
His black gelding is a Tennessee Walker and her horse is a Missouri Foxtrotter.
Both
horses are trained to enter their stalls without so much as a slap on the
rear. Now over
70 years old Joe insists that riding is the best way of staying young that he
knows of.
the end
Lin Stone's preferences are canoeing, hiking and riding. He also writes "Secret Shopper" articles about an area's attractions, revealing where you are more likely to get the real flavor of the area. His latest stories are available from Spin a Silver Dollar, Sweetheartlinks and Stone Soup.
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