Who are the Friends of the Ouachita Trail?

Clearing briars at Sawdust Pile - Ouachita Trail Section 10

"Friends of the Ouachita Trail" (FoOT) is a non-profit organization created by trail users and incorporated in 2005. FoOT is organized exclusively to provide assistance for the maintenance, enhancement and use of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. This is done primarily through the recruiting and management of volunteer labor to perform trail maintenance.

We work in conjunction with and support of the government agencies who manage the trail. We have active working agreements with the US Forest Service / Ouachita National Forest and with Pinnacle Mountain State Park. We hope to obtain similar agreements with the other Arkansas and Oklahoma State Parks through which the trail runs.

FoOT volunteers currently have adopted most of the 223 miles of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. We have a "FoOT Patrol" that manages major work parties for heavier maintenance and follow-up work requested by those adopting trail segments. Learn more about how you can help on our How to Help page.

The year-long effort to organize Friends of the Ouachita Trail culminated on Feb 8, 2005 with incorporation as a non-profit organization in the State of Arkansas. On Jan 15, 2007, FoOT was recognized by the IRS as exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c)(3) of the IRS Code.

Learn more about the history of FoOT on our History page. You can also see the archives of our newsletter, FoOTNotes here on the website.

Membership in FoOT

Membership in FoOT is offered to those who contribute their time to perform trail maintenance, other work such as fund raising or clerical work or their financial support.

Membership categories include the following:

WORKING MEMBER/ORGANIZATION: Adopts a trail section for maintenance OR works at least ten (10) hours on FoOT activities.
SUPPORTING MEMBER: Does not work or works less than ten (10) hours on FoOT activities AND pays a membership fee of at least $25.00.
SUSTAINING MEMBER: Adopts a trail section or works at least ten (10) hours on FoOT activities AND pays a membership fee of at least $15.00
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION: Does not work or works less than ten (10) hours on FoOT activities AND pays a membership fee of at least $50.00.
SUSTAINING ORGANIZATION: Adopts a trail section or works at least ten (10) hours on FoOT activities AND pays a membership fee of at least $30.00