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Arkansas's state parks system offers over 100 trails that together total more than 300 scenic miles for hikers to explore. Below is a sampling of these trails. Visit the individual state park listings online for details and trail maps. You can also order a free copy of the Arkansas Adventure Guide that is produced by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism which gives details about Arkansas's many hiking trails including those within the Arkansas state parks system . Call 1-800-NATURAL or visit Arkansas.com to order your copy.
COSSATOT - The River Trail follows the length of the Cossatot River canyon for 14 miles from Hwy. 246 to U.S. 278. Climbing to several bluff overlooks, the trail is rugged and strenuous in places and not for the beginning hiker. Along the way, the trail connects five river access points making it possible for hiking enthusiasts to hike the trail in sections. Primitive campsites are available.
Exploring Devil's Den State Park Harris Creek Trail is a 3-mile loop nature trail. A short section is steep, but the remainder is an easy hike. It leads to a glade overlook of Baker Creek and then follows a creek until it merges with Harris Creek. Then the trail cuts across to a peninsula that overlooks the Cossatot River. A self-guiding trail brochure is available at the park visitor center.
DEVIL'S DEN - The rugged Ozark Plateau, better known as the Ozark Mountains, cut and carved by streams and rock falls, is revealed at its best in the hollows of Devil's Den State Park. Here trails weave through, around and over one of the largest crevice areas in North America. Explore Devil's Den Cave, hike to Yellow Rock Overlook, identify wildflowers along the Woody Plant Trail, stop and get your feet wet while you rest along the Lee Creek Trail, or go on a backpacking adventure along the 15-mile Butterfield Hiking Trail. The park features 20 miles of hiking trails that explore historic home sites, natural bridges, caves and waterfalls of the Ozarks. Pitch you tent or stay in a park cabin. Stop by the park visitor center and pick up your guide to the trails of Devil's Den and a map of the surrounding Ozark National Forest. Then explore the scenic, rugged renowned Ozark Mountains.
LAKE CATHERINE - Here on the edge of 1,940-acre Lake Catherine, the park's cabins and campsites provide a base for hiking enthusiasts who want to explore the park trails and the Ouachita Mountain beauty here. Shorter trails pass along streams, the lakeshore and the park's small waterfall on Falls Branch. The longer Dam Mountain Trail leads hikers through the oak, hickory and pine forest, up into the mountains and onto a ridge overlooking Lake Catherine. The rocks at your feet are novaculite, prized by Native Americans who a thousand years ago quarried this stone from these hills and traded it from the Gulf to the Great Lakes. The word novaculite is derived from the Latin word novacula, meaning razor stone. This novaculite was chipped into fine tools, points and weapons. Today the novaculite from here in Ouachita Mountains is the top-quality, whetstone-grade material still prized as some of the finest whetstones in the world.
Hiking in Petit Jean State Park PETIT JEAN - Cedar Creek Trail - The trailhead is located on Ark. 154 by the old Pioneer Cabin, a small log residence constructed in 1845 by John Walker. The trail immediately heads downhill to Cedar Creek. The native rock steps were placed here in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. You will notice that there wasn't a set standard on the size of the step used. These steps were built of rock found near the trail and therefore some of the steps are short and some are high. As you continue downhill, you will be following along a beautiful stream that has several small cascades to the point where it joins Cedar Creek. As you near the creek, you will see a chunk of carpet rock, which is a natural rock that has eroded in such a way that it resembles patterned carpet. There are triangles and squares found in this design, a rare discovery in nature. You will then cross Cedar Creek. After you cross the creek, the trail continues along the creek heading upstream. You will see some remarkable views of Cedar Creek and the surrounding hillside. When you reach the giant rock leaning on the cliff, you will then cross back over the creek to where the trail continues between the highway and the creek. This stretch of trail is one of the best stretches to hike if you are looking for wildflowers. You will soon be nearly back to your vehicle and can enjoy a nice overlook before the trail makes a sharp left turn back to the Pioneer Cabin.
Boy Scout Trail - This is Petit Jean's longest trail. It interconnects nearly all of the other trails in the park. Before you begin this hike, please register at the park visitor center. The trail starts at the Civilian Conservation Corps bridge, named the Davies Bridge, that spans Cedar Creek and follows scenic Cedar Creek Trail on the north side of Cedar Creek.
The Boy Scout Trail passes some of the most scenic locations in the park including the canyon rim and the riparian zone of Cedar Creek. Plan well. This trail is a great, but strenuous, day hike. No camping is allowed on the trail. If you want to hike only a short section of the trail, it crosses many of the trailheads in the park.
Canyon Trail - The Canyon Trail, another of the park's beautiful trails, is one of the least traveled trails in the park. It is a one-mile stretch of trail that begins after you cross the bridge on the Cedar Falls Trail. Instead of turning right and going to the waterfall, turn left and follow the bright yellow trail blazes to the Blue Hole. From the intersection with the Cedar Falls Trail, the Canyon Trail winds down the canyon and alongside Cedar Creek. You will find many interesting plants along the trail including sassafras, which was the original flavoring for root beer. You will also find tall oak and hickory trees. As you continue along the trail, stop and look at the creek. On a clear day you can see the surrounding cliffs reflecting in the water below. After one mile, you will reach the Blue Hole. Blue Hole is the old swimming hole that was used by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s. At the Blue Hole, you are at the end of the trail. You can return to Mather Lodge the way you came, or hike a section of the Boy Scout Trail to complete a loop. The Boy Scout Trail intersects with the Canyon Trail at the Blue Hole.
Petit Jean's Cedar Falls Overlook Seven Hollows Trail - A 4 ½-mile trail on the west end of Petit Jean State Park, this trail offers something for everyone. Beginning about one-half mile west of Mather Lodge, the trail begins through short dense vegetation, a result of the forest fire during the summer of 2000. As you hike, you will notice that you quickly drop out of the burned area into the hollows. Throughout the first hollow, you will be in the area where Dr. Hardison, a local physician who lived on the south brow of the mountain, first came up with the idea in the 1920s to preserve the area as a park. It isn't hard to see why he thought it was beautiful. Many brightly colored wildflowers can often be seen here.
The trail winds through four hollows, across small streams and beside tall sandstone bluffs. The Natural Bridge, located about 1 ¼-mile from the trailhead, is a naturally formed arch. The Grotto, a box canyon at the halfway point of the trail, offers a small waterfall. This is a great place to find out what has visited the area before you, as tracks from animals are easily spotted in the muddy area along the stream. As you hike, don't forget to look around at your surroundings. Even on the busy hiking days of spring, there are places on the trail where it will seem as though you are the first to see it, and you will understand why it was so important to Dr. Hardison to save this area.
Cedar Falls Trail - Beginning at Mather Lodge, you'll take this 2-mile round trip to the foot of the park's most notable natural feature, spectacular 95-foot Cedar Falls. Cedar Falls is only one the many interesting sites you will see along the way. As you descend into the Cedar Creek Canyon, you'll come upon a spring that creates several miniature waterfalls as it cascades alongside the trail. At the top of the canyon, the vegetation is different than that below. As you reach the canyon floor, the trail will cross Cedar Creek and then continue for about another ½-mile along the creek.
As you walk alongside Cedar Creek, you might see some of the wet weather springs. As you approach the Cedar Falls, listen for the water as it cascades over the rock. A turn or two later and the falls will come into view. Sitting on rocks enjoying the waterfall is a great place for a picnic. Allow plenty of time for this hike. Two hours will give you time to enjoy the falls and take your time walking back up the hill to the lodge.
COSSATOT - The River Trail follows the length of the Cossatot River canyon for 14 miles from Hwy. 246 to U.S. 278. Climbing to several bluff overlooks, the trail is rugged and strenuous in places and not for the beginning hiker. Along the way, the trail connects five river access points making it possible for hiking enthusiasts to hike the trail in sections. Primitive campsites are available.
Exploring Devil's Den State Park Harris Creek Trail is a 3-mile loop nature trail. A short section is steep, but the remainder is an easy hike. It leads to a glade overlook of Baker Creek and then follows a creek until it merges with Harris Creek. Then the trail cuts across to a peninsula that overlooks the Cossatot River. A self-guiding trail brochure is available at the park visitor center.
DEVIL'S DEN - The rugged Ozark Plateau, better known as the Ozark Mountains, cut and carved by streams and rock falls, is revealed at its best in the hollows of Devil's Den State Park. Here trails weave through, around and over one of the largest crevice areas in North America. Explore Devil's Den Cave, hike to Yellow Rock Overlook, identify wildflowers along the Woody Plant Trail, stop and get your feet wet while you rest along the Lee Creek Trail, or go on a backpacking adventure along the 15-mile Butterfield Hiking Trail. The park features 20 miles of hiking trails that explore historic home sites, natural bridges, caves and waterfalls of the Ozarks. Pitch you tent or stay in a park cabin. Stop by the park visitor center and pick up your guide to the trails of Devil's Den and a map of the surrounding Ozark National Forest. Then explore the scenic, rugged renowned Ozark Mountains.
LAKE CATHERINE - Here on the edge of 1,940-acre Lake Catherine, the park's cabins and campsites provide a base for hiking enthusiasts who want to explore the park trails and the Ouachita Mountain beauty here. Shorter trails pass along streams, the lakeshore and the park's small waterfall on Falls Branch. The longer Dam Mountain Trail leads hikers through the oak, hickory and pine forest, up into the mountains and onto a ridge overlooking Lake Catherine. The rocks at your feet are novaculite, prized by Native Americans who a thousand years ago quarried this stone from these hills and traded it from the Gulf to the Great Lakes. The word novaculite is derived from the Latin word novacula, meaning razor stone. This novaculite was chipped into fine tools, points and weapons. Today the novaculite from here in Ouachita Mountains is the top-quality, whetstone-grade material still prized as some of the finest whetstones in the world.
Hiking in Petit Jean State Park PETIT JEAN - Cedar Creek Trail - The trailhead is located on Ark. 154 by the old Pioneer Cabin, a small log residence constructed in 1845 by John Walker. The trail immediately heads downhill to Cedar Creek. The native rock steps were placed here in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. You will notice that there wasn't a set standard on the size of the step used. These steps were built of rock found near the trail and therefore some of the steps are short and some are high. As you continue downhill, you will be following along a beautiful stream that has several small cascades to the point where it joins Cedar Creek. As you near the creek, you will see a chunk of carpet rock, which is a natural rock that has eroded in such a way that it resembles patterned carpet. There are triangles and squares found in this design, a rare discovery in nature. You will then cross Cedar Creek. After you cross the creek, the trail continues along the creek heading upstream. You will see some remarkable views of Cedar Creek and the surrounding hillside. When you reach the giant rock leaning on the cliff, you will then cross back over the creek to where the trail continues between the highway and the creek. This stretch of trail is one of the best stretches to hike if you are looking for wildflowers. You will soon be nearly back to your vehicle and can enjoy a nice overlook before the trail makes a sharp left turn back to the Pioneer Cabin.
Boy Scout Trail - This is Petit Jean's longest trail. It interconnects nearly all of the other trails in the park. Before you begin this hike, please register at the park visitor center. The trail starts at the Civilian Conservation Corps bridge, named the Davies Bridge, that spans Cedar Creek and follows scenic Cedar Creek Trail on the north side of Cedar Creek.
The Boy Scout Trail passes some of the most scenic locations in the park including the canyon rim and the riparian zone of Cedar Creek. Plan well. This trail is a great, but strenuous, day hike. No camping is allowed on the trail. If you want to hike only a short section of the trail, it crosses many of the trailheads in the park.
Canyon Trail - The Canyon Trail, another of the park's beautiful trails, is one of the least traveled trails in the park. It is a one-mile stretch of trail that begins after you cross the bridge on the Cedar Falls Trail. Instead of turning right and going to the waterfall, turn left and follow the bright yellow trail blazes to the Blue Hole. From the intersection with the Cedar Falls Trail, the Canyon Trail winds down the canyon and alongside Cedar Creek. You will find many interesting plants along the trail including sassafras, which was the original flavoring for root beer. You will also find tall oak and hickory trees. As you continue along the trail, stop and look at the creek. On a clear day you can see the surrounding cliffs reflecting in the water below. After one mile, you will reach the Blue Hole. Blue Hole is the old swimming hole that was used by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s. At the Blue Hole, you are at the end of the trail. You can return to Mather Lodge the way you came, or hike a section of the Boy Scout Trail to complete a loop. The Boy Scout Trail intersects with the Canyon Trail at the Blue Hole.
Petit Jean's Cedar Falls Overlook Seven Hollows Trail - A 4 ½-mile trail on the west end of Petit Jean State Park, this trail offers something for everyone. Beginning about one-half mile west of Mather Lodge, the trail begins through short dense vegetation, a result of the forest fire during the summer of 2000. As you hike, you will notice that you quickly drop out of the burned area into the hollows. Throughout the first hollow, you will be in the area where Dr. Hardison, a local physician who lived on the south brow of the mountain, first came up with the idea in the 1920s to preserve the area as a park. It isn't hard to see why he thought it was beautiful. Many brightly colored wildflowers can often be seen here.
The trail winds through four hollows, across small streams and beside tall sandstone bluffs. The Natural Bridge, located about 1 ¼-mile from the trailhead, is a naturally formed arch. The Grotto, a box canyon at the halfway point of the trail, offers a small waterfall. This is a great place to find out what has visited the area before you, as tracks from animals are easily spotted in the muddy area along the stream. As you hike, don't forget to look around at your surroundings. Even on the busy hiking days of spring, there are places on the trail where it will seem as though you are the first to see it, and you will understand why it was so important to Dr. Hardison to save this area.
Cedar Falls Trail - Beginning at Mather Lodge, you'll take this 2-mile round trip to the foot of the park's most notable natural feature, spectacular 95-foot Cedar Falls. Cedar Falls is only one the many interesting sites you will see along the way. As you descend into the Cedar Creek Canyon, you'll come upon a spring that creates several miniature waterfalls as it cascades alongside the trail. At the top of the canyon, the vegetation is different than that below. As you reach the canyon floor, the trail will cross Cedar Creek and then continue for about another ½-mile along the creek.
As you walk alongside Cedar Creek, you might see some of the wet weather springs. As you approach the Cedar Falls, listen for the water as it cascades over the rock. A turn or two later and the falls will come into view. Sitting on rocks enjoying the waterfall is a great place for a picnic. Allow plenty of time for this hike. Two hours will give you time to enjoy the falls and take your time walking back up the hill to the lodge.
Adventure in Arkansas : Caving » Hang Gliding » Hiking » Horseback Riding » Lake Kayaking » Mountain Biking » River Running » Rock Climbing » Snorkeling
