N.W. Ark. 0 to 3

Northwest Arkansas Trails-0 to 3 Miles

White Rock Rim Loop, Ozark National Forest

• Miles: 2.1 • Rating: Easy *DANGEROUS BLUFFS* • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails and Ozark Highlands Trails guidebooks by Tim Ernst

• Contact: Boston Mountain Ranger District Phone 501-667-2191

This is easily one of the most scenic hikes in Arkansas-ALL of it a definite special scenic spot (SSS)!!!!!! The trail follows along the top of the bluffline up on White Rock Mountain. Along the trail you will find a great spot to watch the sunrise, and what is considered to be the best sunset in the entire state. The views are spectacular all year.

Kings Bluff Loop Trail, Ozark National Forest

• Miles: 2.0 • Rating: Easy-Moderate • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails guidebook by Tim Ernst

• Contact: Bayou Ranger District Phone 501-284-3150

This trail travels through a forest of large hardwoods and visits the awe-inspiring King’s Bluff. This is a beautiful area; the bluff and the views into the surrounding valley are simply fantastic. The creek which helped expose this majestic sandstone bluff spills over the edge, forming one of the highest waterfalls in this part of the Ozarks.

Glory Hole, Ozark National Forest

• Miles: 1.9 • Rating: Easy-Moderate *DANGEROUS BLUFFS* • Allowed: Camping and Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails guidebook by Tim Ernst

• Contact: Buffalo Ranger District Phone 870-446-5122

This is another neat little spot that many have visited, but most couldn’t find until now. The trail is an old road that drops down the hill to this most unique spot. A creek has actually drilled a large hole through the roof of a big overhanging bluff, and the creek pours right down through the roof. It’s a pretty remarkable thing to see when the water is running well!!

Mirror Lake Loop, Ozark National Forest

• Miles: 1.3 • Rating: Easy-Moderate • Allowed: Camping

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: Buffalo Ranger District Phone 870-757-2211

Be prepared to get wet on this one. Waterfalls, rock formations, a creek crossing, a ghostly old grist mill, and more are what await you on this hike.

Alum Cove Trail, Ozark National Forest

• Miles: 1.1 • Rating: Easy, a little steep on way out • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails and Buffalo River Hiking Trails guidebooks by Tim Ernst, Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: Buffalo Ranger District Phone 870-446-5122

This wonderful little trail visits one of the largest natural rock bridges in this part of the country. It loops around past a nice bluffline too. There is some tall timber, and lots of flowers, including a rare variety of Shooting Star. This trail is located in the Ozark National Forest. There is a picnic area here, but no camping is allowed.

Koen Interpretive Trail, Ozark National Forest

• Miles: one-half mile (.5) • Rating: Easy, Great first hike for very young children • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails and Buffalo River Hiking Trails guidebooks by Tim Ernst, Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: Buffalo Ranger District Phone 870-446-5122

If you are looking for a nice leisurely stroll through a variety of tree species, this is the trail for you. There are at least 34 different kinds of trees and other plants identified along this short loop.

Lost Valley Trail, Buffalo National River

• Miles: 2.3 round trip • Rating: Easy • Allowed: No dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails and Buffalo River Hiking Trails guidebooks by Tim Ernst, Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: Buffalo National River Phone 870-741-5443

This little area is one of the special places in the world. Calling it an SSS (special scenic spot) is an understatement! This popular trail is short, and for the most part, very easy to hike. Although the last section of trail does get pretty steep as it climbs up to a cave so be sure to bring a flashlight (one for each) if you wish to go into the cave.

Mill Creek Loop, Buffalo National River

• Miles: 2.2 round trip • Rating: Easy • Allowed: No dogs.

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails and Buffalo River Hiking Trails guidebooks by Tim Ernst, Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: Buffalo National River Phone 870-741-5443

If you are traveling down National Scenic 7 Byway between Harrison and Jasper, you should stop at Pruitt and hike this short trail. It is located at Buffalo National River, just off of Hwy. 7 at the lower end of the Pruitt river access. It is easy to walk, and goes through a variety of forest and stream environments, not to mention a couple of historical spots.

Old Erbie Area Loop, Buffalo National River

• Miles: 1.8 • Rating: Easy • Allowed: No dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Buffalo River Hiking Trails guidebook by Tim Ernst

• Contact: Buffalo National River Phone 870-741-5443

This little loop is an easy and scenic stroll. It is about half road walking and half trail. It begins at the Cecil Cove Trailhead. There is a lot of history to this area with a chance to see a lot of elk, large bluffs, Spanish moss, twisted cedar trees and many other wonderful sites.

Hideout Hollow Trail, Buffalo National River

• Miles: 1.7 round trip • Rating: Easy *DANGEROUS BLUFFS* • Allowed: Camping, No dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails and Buffalo River Hiking Trails guidebooks by Tim Ernst, Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: Buffalo National River Phone 870-741-5443

This is a wonderful little trail that takes you into a large bluff and waterfall area. It is often overlooked by hikers, since it is one of the lesser-known trails in the Buffalo National River trails system-you won’t see many other folks here. The hike is pretty easy, with only a few ups and downs. There are lots of bluffs in this area and a waterfall as well.

Headwaters Creek Trail, Pea Ridge National Military Park

• Miles: four-tenths of a mile (.4) • Rating: Easy • Allowed:

• Map and Trail description available: Visitor Center

• Contact: www.nps.gov/peri or Phone 479-451-8122

This self-guided interpretive trail begins and ends at the Elk Horn Tavern, made famous during the Civil War. Both the natural and historical features of the park are discussed in the available booklet.

Ponds Trail, Buffalo National River

• Miles: four-tenths of a mile (.4) • Rating: Easy • Allowed: no dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Buffalo River Hiking Trails guidebook by Tim Ernst, Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: Buffalo National River Phone 870-741-5443

There is a small picnic area that is located on the road from Hwy 7 (2 miles on gravel) to Erbie that is called Cedar Grove Picnic Area. There is a nice overlook of the Buffalo River there. Also the Buffalo River Trail comes right through it. And there are a couple of short trails that lead off to two ponds-South Pond and North Pond. These are very short trails, and one of them is wheelchair accessible.

Sugar Loaf Mountain Loop, Corps of Engineers

• Miles: 2.0 • Rating: Easy with a lot of steps • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails guidebook by Tim Ernst

• Contact: Greers Ferry Lake Phone 501-362-2416

****NOTE- We have had reports that the trail at Sugar Loaf Mountain is in need of great repair. We will keep you posted as further information is available.****

This is one of the most unique trails in the state-it’s built on an island! Right in the middle of Greers Ferry Lake. Naturally you have to have a boat to get to it, but it is worth the extra trouble because it just happens to also be a very spectacular trail, with lots of towering bluffs, twisted old cedar trees, and great views. It’s a pretty good climb to get the 560 feet to the top, but once you’re up there, it’s all down hill back to your boat.

Bench Rock Nature Trail, Corps of Engineers

• Miles: 1.33 • Rating: Easy-Moderate • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails guidebook by Tim Ernst

• Contact: Chief Ranger, Beaver Lake Phone 479 636-1210

This short loop trail is located on the north side of Beaver Lake, near the community of Gateway, in the Indian Creek Recreation Area. It loop around a nice bluffline, and has some great views across the lake.

Rim Rock Nature Loop, Corps of Engineers

• Miles: 1.0 • Rating: Easy • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails guidebook by Tim Ernst

• Contact: Chief Ranger, Beaver Lake Phone 479-636-1210

This short trail takes an intimate look at a long bluffline that is tucked away in the Prairie Creek Park at Beaver Lake.

Big Trees Loop, Corps of Engineers

• Miles: .9 • Rating: Easy • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: Chief Ranger, Norfork Lake Phone 870-425-2700

Here is a neat trail that was built by a single volunteer, and it winds through some very large pine trees along the banks of Norfork Lake.

Natural Sidewalk Nature Trail, Beaver Lake Area, Corps of Engineers

• Miles: one-half of a mile (.5) • Rating: Easy • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Visitor Center

• Contact: Chief Ranger, Beaver Lake Phone 479-636-1210

About half the length of this 2,400 foot trail lies along a shelf cut by nature in a limestone bluff rising from the waters of the lake. The trail leads you along the shoreline under the overhanging bluffs. Here you will find scenic beauty and interesting geologic formations. A number of the gnarled cedars are several hundred years old. There is a beautiful scenic overlook on top of the bluff.

Mossy Bluff/Buckeye Trail, Greers Ferry Lake Area, Corps of Engineers

• Miles: one-half of a mile (.5) • Rating: Easy **a portion of the trail is wheelchair accessible** • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: Operations Manager Phone 501-362-2416

Downstream from the dam, this trail meanders along a bluff overlooking the Little Red River and fish hatchery. The trail is mostly level, except at each end, where mossy bluffs are crossed by flights of stairs. The trail provides excellent views from an overlook shelter of the Greers Ferry dam and lake, in addition to the river valley. The Buckeye Trail was constructed in conjunction with the Mossy Bluff Trail to provide a quality trail experience for persons who are not physically able to negotiate the more difficult areas. Displays are provided alongside these trails for interpretation of interesting natural features.

Fishtrap Trail, Beaver Lake Area, Corps of Engineers

• Miles: one-third of a mile (.33) • Rating: Moderate to Difficult • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Visitor Center

• Contact: Chief Ranger, Beaver Lake Phone 479-636-1210

This trail extends a short distance uphill to a level bench on the hillside leading to a long overhanging bluff. The bluff is typical of the many such shelters of prehistoric bluff-dwelling Indian tribes.

War Eagle Trail, Withrow Springs State Park

• Miles: 2.0 round trip • Rating: Easy • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails guidebook by Tim Ernst

• Contact: Withrow Springs State Park Phone 501- 559-2593

This short, easy trail runs alongside beautiful War Eagle River, and visits a cave (bring your flashlight) and towering bluffs in the Withrow Springs State Park.

Bluebird Trail, Bull Shoals State Park

• Miles: 2.0 • Rating: Easy • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: bullshoalswhiteriver@arkansas.com or Phone 870-431-5521

Not a traditional trail, this collection of bluebird houses through the campground is a flurry of activity each spring and summer as the eastern bluebirds use these homes to raise their young. Walking the grassy lawn area from house to house and enjoying the nesting and feeding behaviors of these bluebirds is very rewarding.

Big Bluff Trail, Bull Shoals-White River State Park

• Miles: 1.75 • Rating: Easy • Allowed: dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: bullshoalswhiteriver@arkansas.com or Phone 870-431-5521

The trail traverses the wooded hills below Bull Shoals Dam. Overlooking the White River, the trail offers examples of plant succession and wildlife native to the area. A portion of the trail is located near a bluff, so be careful to stay on the trail at all times.

Devil’s Den Self-Guided Trail, Devil’s Den State Park

• Miles: 1.5 • Rating: Moderate • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: devilsden@arkansa.com or Phone 479-761-3325

The Devil’s Den Trail, one of the most popular trails within the park, features two fracture caves: the Devils Den and the Devil’s Icebox. Gravity flow springs, peculiar erosional remnants of sandstone strata, wet weather waterfalls, and lush Ozark plant and animal life are just a few of the sights you can expect as you wind through the rugged Boston Mountain terrain. A flashlight is necessary to explore the caves. Extreme caution should be used while walking in the cave area due to open crevasses! Trailheads are located behind the visitor center and by the Highway 170 bridge at Lee Creek. Parking is available at both locations.

Shaddox Hollow Loop, Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area

• Miles: 1.5 • Rating: Easy • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails guidebook by Tim Ernst, Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: Beaver Lake State Park Phone 501-789-2380

This is a short, popular loop that visits Shaddox Hollow Natural Area and is located along the shores of Beaver Lake in NW Arkansas near Rocky Branch. Besides lots of bluffs and streamsides, this area contains a wide variety of fauna and flora, and is frequented by school science classes and used as a training aid.

Battlefield Trail, Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park

• Miles: 1.0 • Rating: Easy-Moderate • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: prairiegrove@arkansas.com or Phone 479 846-2990

Located on the eastern side of the Prairie Grove Battlefield where two Union charges and two Confederate counterattacks occurred. There are twelve wayside exhibit panels with the quotes from participants and witnesses to the battle with daily guided tours along part of the trail.

Lake Trail, Devil’s Den State Park

• Miles: 1.0 • Rating: Easy • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: devilsden@arkansa.com or Phone 479-761-3325

Highlights include lake views and 100 foot suspension bridge across Lee Creek.

Lee Creek Trail, Devil’s Den State Park

• Miles: 1.0 • Rating; Easy-Moderate • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Visitor Center

• Contact: devilsden@arkansa.com or Phone 479-761-3325

Highlight is return trip through creek bed. Tennis shoes are recommended.

Lakeside Trail, Bull Shoals-White River State Park

• Miles: 1.0 • Rating: Easy • Allowed: dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: bullshoalswhiteriver@arkansas.com or Phone 870-431-5521

This scenic trail has an abundance of wildlife and is located along a cove on Bull Shoals Lake. It affords good viewing of spring and fall colors.

Memorial Wildflower Area, Bull Shoals State Park

• Miles: three-fourths of a mile (.75) • Rating: Easy • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: bullshoalswhiteriver@arkansas.com or Phone 870-431-5521

This memorial wildflower garden loop trail meanders through three acres of wildflowers that change each week through the season. Wildlife, including birds and butterflies, can be seen throughout the trail at feeders and rest areas. The area is under constant development and memorial contributions may be made at any time.

CCC Interpretive Self-Guide, Devil’s Den State Park

• Miles: one quarter of a mile (.25) • Rating: Easy • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Visitor Center

• Contact: devilsden@arkansas.com or Phone 479-761-3325

Trail passes through ruins of Civilian Conservation Corps camp.

Woody Plant Trail, Devil’s Den State Park

• Miles: one quarter of a mile (.25) • Rating: Easy • Allowed: dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Visitor Center

• Contact: devilsden@arkansa.com or Phone 479-761-3325

This short, self-guided trail begins near either bathhouse in Camping Area E and meanders through the woods surrounding the campgrounds. To help visitors learn more about the diversified plant life found in this part of the Ozarks, plants along the trail have been numbered to correspond with an identification sheet which is available at the visitor center.

Hidden Hollow Wildflower Trail, Bull Shoals State Park

• Miles: two hundredths of a mile (0.02) • Rating: Easy • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Visitor Center

• Contact: bullshoalswhiteriver@arkansas.com or Phone 870-431-5521

This short trail traverses a fragile woodland wildflower area. To get to the trailhead, you must cross a wooded area with no clearly marked trail, look for the sign approximately 50 feet into the wooded area.

Artist Point Trail, Private Property but open to the Public

• Miles: 1.2 • Rating: Easy down but steep coming back up • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails guidebook by Tim Ernst, Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: Artist Point Gift Shop Phone 501-369-2226

This little trail is a nice surprise, and although it is a steep climb out from the end, it’s well worth a stop and look see. Besides the rocks, ancient Indian carvings, bluffs and waterfalls, there are lots of wildflowers and more than 50 species of trees!

King’s River Falls Trail, King’s River Falls Natural Area, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission

• Miles: 1.7 • Rating: Easy • Allowed: Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Arkansas Hiking Trails guidebook by Tim Ernst, Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids and Families by Pam Ernst

• Contact: Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission Phone 501-324-9150

This short, easy to hike trail will lead you to a wonderful waterfall and pool. The immediate area of the big falls was once used as a grist mill site-can you spot the marks carved into the stone?