The Ozark-St. Francis National Forests have some of Arkansas' best trails. Visitors can take advantage of about 300 miles of trails through the forest and never see the same view twice. So, whether you enjoy leisurely hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, or off highway vehicle (OHV) riding, we have a trail to suit your interest. For more trail information, contact the ranger district office listed.

Alum Cove National Recreation Trail - This trail is located in the Alum Cove Natural Bridge area near Deer, Arkansas. The 1.1 mile trail takes hikers near rock outcrops and a 120-foot natural bridge. (Big Piney Ranger District - Jasper Office) This trail is located 15 miles south of Jasper, off Arkansas Highway 7 turn west on Arkansas 16 (paved), and go 1 mile , then turn right (northwest) on county road NE28 (gravel) and go 3 miles.

Bayou Bluff Trail - This 1.2 mile loop trail overlooks the Illinois Bayou and features spectacular views. (Big Piney Ranger District - Hector Office) From Hector take Arkansas 27 north for 6 miles.

Bear Creek Lake Nature Trail - The trail is located 5 miles southeast of Marianna, Arkansas. This .8 mile trail takes hikers across wooden bridges and through the beautiful and the unique Mississippi flood plain hardwood forests of the St. Francis National Forest. (St. Francis Ranger District)

Brock Creek Trail (pdf) - This trail is a multi-use trail system that consists of two major loops and many interconnecting loops. The combined loops provide over 42 miles of trails for dirt bikers, Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) riders, mountain bikers and horseback riders. (Big Piney Ranger District - Hector Office)

Horsehead Lake Trail - This 3-mile loop trail is located at the Horsehead Lake Recreation Area 12 miles northwest of Clarksville. (Pleasant Hill Ranger District) From Clarksville, take Highway 103 north for 8 miles, turn left (west) on Arkansas 164 and go 4 miles, turn right (north) on Forest Service Road 1408 (gravel) and go 3 miles.

Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail - This trail consists of two main loops that offer 40 miles of the most scenic horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking opportunities in the Ozark National Forest. Deep winding valleys framed by rugged mountain bluffs give way to clear mountain streams. (Magazine Ranger District)

Mt. Magazine to Cove Lake Trail is a 10.8-mile trail which connects the Cameron Bluff Campground atop Mt. Magazine (the highest point in Arkansas) with the Cove Lake Campground in the valley below. Magazine Mountain is located in Logan County 18 miles south of Paris on Arkansas Highway 309. (Magazine Ranger District).

Mill Creek Trail - This trail is open to OHVs, mountain bikes, horses and hikers. The trail travels through remote areas of the Ozark National Forest and features spectacular mountainous terrain, scenic views, lush upland hardwood forests, unique rock outcroppings, and clear mountain streams. The trail is 27 miles of main trail marked in blue and 15 miles of interior loops and shortcuts trails. (Boston Mountain Ranger District) From Fayetteville, take Arkansas 16 east to Combs, then turn right (south) on Forest Service Road 1007 (gravel) and go 4 miles. Turn left (southeast) on Forest Service Road 1509 (gravel) and go 0.5 mile to the trailhead. From Ozark, take Arkansas 23 north to Cass. Take Forest Service Road 1520 (gravel) west 8 miles to Forest Service Road 1509 (gravel), then go 4 miles to the trailhead.

Moccasin Gap Horse Trail - Rated one of the best horse trails in the state, it is a popular site for competitive rides. Situated in the heart of the forest, this trail consists of four loop trails, each converging into the other. The surrounding forest is a mix of hardwoods and pine with numerous streams and small waterfalls. Although this area is primarily developed as a horse trail, it is actually a multiple-use trail open to OHV's mountain bikes, hikers, and high-clearance vehicles. There are camping spurs (17), vault toilets, and a municipal water supply. (Big Piney Ranger District - Hector Office) From Russellville, take Arkansas 7 north for 25 miles (2 miles past Mack's Pines Restaurant and Cabins). The trail is located on the west side of Arkansas 7.

Ozark Highlands National Recreation Trail is a 165-mile hiking trail that crosses the Ozark National Forest and is recognized as one of the most scenic trails in the United States. Starting at Lake Fort Smith State Park on Arkansas 71, the trail crosses the forest to Woolum near the Buffalo National River. Trailhead parking is available at several locations along the trail.

The trail travels through a wide variety of forest landscapes ranging from lower stream side elevations to high ridges. Scenic bluff and rock formations along the high vistas are evident along most sections of the trail. Forest cover varies from newly established stands of pine and hardwood trees to older, mature stands.

Hiking the trail, you will see evidence of numerous management activities including wildlife openings and food plots, livestock improvements, timber harvesting, and reforestation. Other activities may include oil or gas exploration and production. Each of these activities plays an important role in the management of the national forest for a full range of resources.

Pedestal Rocks/Kings Bluff Trail - This scenic area consists of two hiking trails--Pedestal Rocks and Kings Bluff. Pedestal Rocks is 2.2 miles and Kings Bluff is 1.7 miles long. This unique area offers a good look at Ozark Mountain geology. The views are some of the most spectacular in Arkansas. Both trails feature easy hiking, but border high cliffs with steep drop-offs and require safety precautions. There are 3 picnicking units, vault toilets and parking is available for large vehicles. (Big Piney Ranger District - Hector Office) Take Arkansas 7 to Pelsor turn right (east) on Arkansas 16 and go 6 miles. The scenic area is located on the right (south) side of the highway.

Redding Loop - Spy Rock Spur This 8.5-mile loop trail is located 18 miles north of Ozark, off Arkansas Highway 23. The trail takes the hiker to Spy Rock for a spectacular view of the Mulberry River Valley or to a junction with the Ozark Highlands Trail. (Pleasant Hill Ranger District)

Shores Lake - White Rock Loop Trail - This loop trail connects two popular Forest Service recreation areas: Shores Lake and White Rock Mountain. It offers an excellent weekend hike up a beautiful creek to the spectacular vistas of White Rock Mountain and returns via another creek. A portion of the trail follows the Ozark Highlands Trail. Camping is allowed along the trail. Campgrounds are available at each end of the trail. Cabins and a multiperson (dormitory style) lodge are available for rent at White Rock. For reservations phone (479) 369-4128.

Sorghum Hollow Horse Camp - This is the trailhead camp for the Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail System. Camping (15 family units) is available, along with a pond for watering horses, vault toilet, and day use-parking. There are no electrical hook-ups. The trail is open to OHV (4-wheeler) use, hiking, and mountain biking. (Magazine Ranger District) From Paris, take Arkansas 22 east for 10 miles. From Dardanelle, take Arkansas 22 west for 26 miles, turn south on Sorghum Hollow Road (gravel) and go 4.7 miles, then turn left into camp.

Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail - The Sylamore Ranger District of the Ozark National Forest, along with partners, is in the process of constructing a system of trails especially for mountain bikes. NOTICE!:  Beginning immediately, a section of the Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail  will be temporarily closed Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. for timber harvest operations in support of forest health improvement. A five-mile section of the Jack’s Branch Loop (marked in YELLOW) between the Blanchard Spur and the intersection with the Scrappy Mountain Loop (marked in BLUE) is affected by this closure. Additionally, short sections of the Scrappy Mountain and Bald Scrappy (marked in ORANGE) on the west side of Green Mountain Road will also be closed.  All of the closed sections are marked closed on the ground and these sections can be bypassed using Green Mountain Road.  The entire trail system will be open weekdays after 6 p.m. and on weekends. For more information, contact the Sylamore District Office at (870) 269-3228.

North Sylamore Creek Hiking Trail - This 14-mile trail follows North Sylamore Creek from Allison, Arkansas to Barkshed Recreation Area. It is located 8 miles northwest of Mtn. View, Arkansas. (Sylamore Ranger District).

Wedington Hiking Trail - The 7.5 mile trail is located on the Wedington Unit, west of Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Boston Mountain Ranger District)