N.W. Over 10

Northwest Arkansas Trails-Over 10 Miles

Ozark Highland Trail, Ozark National Forest

• Miles: 165 miles one way • Rating: Easy to Difficult • Allowed: Camping and Dogs

• Map and Trail description available: Ozark Highlands Trail by Tim Ernst

• Contact: Ozark Highlands Trail Association

This is probably the finest hiking trail in Arkansas. It has been rated as one of the top-10 trails in the United States. It has everything: Wonderful vistas; terrific streamside walks; lots of deep green pools to swim in; bluffs and rocks and boulders galore; forests that go on forever; and literally hundreds and hundreds of waterfalls. The list goes on and on. It’s 165 miles from end to end, with 27 additional miles of connecting spurs and loops, so it makes for a great long-distance backpacking trail. The trail passes through 17 campgrounds and other trailheads, and crosses some 50+ forest roads and highways-all of these access points make it the perfect dayhiking trail too-just decide how far you want to hike and you’ll find several sections between these points that fit your bill.

Lake Weddington Trail, Ozark National Forest

• Miles: 15.4 • Rating: Moderate-Difficult • Allowed: Camping and Dogs

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

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

This trail through the heart of the Ozarks leads past Twin Knobs, a unique rock formation, and terminates on the banks of the Illinois River. Camping is permitted along the trail. To return, it is necessary to retrace the same route. This trail is often used for overnight hiking trips.

Sylamore Creek Trail, Ozark National Forest

• Miles: 13.7 one way • Rating: Moderate • Allowed: Camping and Dogs

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

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

This is one of the most scenic backpacking trails in the state. It follows North Sylamore Creek the whole way-a crystal clear, spring-fed, beautiful stretch of water-and winds around past painted limestone bluffs, and big trees. There is something very special about this trail.

Shores Lake/White Rock Loop, Ozark National Forest

• Miles: 13.4 • Rating: Moderate • Allowed: Camping and 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

Shores Lake and White Rock are two of the most popular recreation areas in the Ozark National Forest, located northeast of Ft. Smith. This loop trail runs from Shores Lake past several nice waterfalls, up to the spectacular White Rock Mountain, then returns to the lake down through the Salt Fork drainage. This is the perfect weekend hike, especially if you are lucky enough to get a cabin at White Rock.

Buffalo River Trail, Buffalo National River

• Miles: 37.0 one way • Rating: Easy to Difficult • Allowed: Camping, no dogs

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

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

This is the beginning of the Buffalo River Trail, one of the longest in Arkansas. The first stretch winds around the hills on the east side of the Buffalo River, giving views of the river and historic Boxley Valley seldom seen. It ends at the low water bridge at Ponca, where the rest of the trail continues on to Pruitt, at total length of 36.5 miles. The trail is not blazed.

Old River Trail, Buffalo National River

• Miles: 24 • Rating: Easy-Moderate • Allowed: Horses and Camping, No Dogs

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

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

The Old River Trail follows a historic farm road through the bottomlands of the Buffalo River. Along the way it visits many old farmsteads and other historical features.

Buffalo River Trail (Woolum to Hwy. 65), Buffalo National River

• Miles: 15.0 one way • Rating: Moderate • Allowed: Camping, no dogs

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

• Contact: Buffalo National River Phone 870-741-5433

This is another sleeper trail-it has some tremendous scenery, but because access to the upper end of the trail is limited, it won’t get a great deal of use. It begins in the Richland Creek Valley, just across the Buffalo River from Woolum, runs across the tops of many bluffs that overlook the river, goes through Tyler Bend Park, and comes out onto the Hwy. 65 bridge over the Buffalo.

Cow Creek-Cook Hollow Loop, Buffalo National River

• Miles: 10.5 • Rating: Moderate • 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 trail is used by horses quite a bit so it is recommended that it be hiked in the winter, views are better at this time anyway. Items for early Ozark inhabitants may be found along the way. Please leave these artifacts so that others may enjoy them.

Butterfield Loop Trail, Devil’s Den State Park

• Miles: 14.5 • Rating: Moderate • Allowed: Camping and Dogs. Bicycles and Horses are allowed on part of trail

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

• Contact: Devil’s Den State Park Phone 501-761-3325

This is the longest of several trails at Devil’s Den State Park. Camping is permitted at the 3 primitive campsites along the way. Part of this loop follows picturesque Blackburn Creek, and part of it overlooks the Lee Creek Valley. There are numerous geological formations to explore, including the wonderful Quail Valley area.