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)