Pick your trail for Backpacking and Hiking Day in Arkansas
How popular is backpacking in The Natural State? So popular that it now has its own day. Governor Asa Hutchinson, in conjunction with noted Arkansas hiking enthusiast Roy Burton, worked together to create Backpacking and Hiking Dayin Arkansas. The Governor proclaimed July 17 to celebrate this day with hopes of spreading the word to visitors and residents about the miles of trails waiting to be explored.
Now that Backpacking and Hiking Day is set, all you have to do is choose your path – and encourage visitors to do the same. Fortunately, there’s a trail for every skill level and in every corner of our state. Here are a few favorites across Arkansas.
Northwest
Want a gorgeous hike suitable for all ages? Set off down the Lost Valley Trail on the Upper Buffalo National River. This trail is a great introduction into Natural State hiking and leads directly to the breathtaking scenery of Eden Falls. Staying in the Northwest region of the state, but upping the difficulty level a bit, is the Shaddox Hollow Trail at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area. For a really strenuous overnight backpacking trip, fill your pack and check out the 12-mile stretch of terrain known as the Butterfield Hiking Trail in Devil’s Den State Park.
North Central
In the North Central region of the state, check out Big Bluff Trail in Bull Shoals-White River State Park. The first part of this loop trail is level, then it goes up the hillside to an area overlooking the White River, Bull Shoals Dam and the Ozark hill country. Other area hikes include the Spring Lake Trail at Mammoth Spring State Park and the Tunstall Riverwalk in Jacksonport State Park near Newport.
Southwest
For serious backpackers who really want to challenge themselves, gear up and make your way to Southwest Arkansas and the River Corridor Trail at Cossatot River State Park/Natural Area. This 14-mile trail offers some of the most rugged and scenic terrain in all of the Ouachita Mountains. The Caddo Bend Trail at Lake Ouachita State Park offers a beautiful but more family-friendly four-mile hike, and Lake Catherine State Park is home to a variety of trails for a range of skill levels.
Upper Delta
The Upper Delta is home to tons of trails like The Great Blue Heron Trail at Lake Poinsett State Park, a 1.1-mile loop with a 1/8-mile spur that leads to a beautiful view of the lake. The trail winds along one of Lake Poinsett’s many shaded coves and is great for sighting native songbirds and waterfowl. Other scenic hikes can be found nearby at the Parkin Archeological State Park or the Arboretum Trail at Village Creek State Park in Wynne.
Lower Delta
One of the jewels of the region for hikers and backpackers is the Delta Heritage Trail. The broad, flat limestone path leads through a shaded canopy of Delta hardwoods and past bubbling streams and wide-open farmlands, a paradise for birding and wildlife watching. The Lower Delta region is also home to the Bear Creek Lake Nature Trail and the Louisiana Purchase State Park trail, a scenic walk accessible to wheelchairs and an excellent setting for photographing scenery and wildlife.
Central
Just minutes from downtown Little Rock, the trails surrounding Pinnacle Mountain are favorites for visitors and locals. Those looking for a test can hike to the top of the mountain on the East Summit or West Summit Trail. The Base Trail takes you through the upland forest and floodplain hardwoods on gently rolling to flat terrain. If you like your hikes with a little history, Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park is a fantastic choice. This fully accessible self-guided trail and boardwalk lead visitors through this pre-historic Indian site inhabited by Native Americans over a thousand years ago.
