Hiking Trails in Arkansas

“Does anyone know of any good trails in Arkansas. I know of a few but would like to know if anyone has hiked in Arkansas and could tell me something about them. I moved here from Iowa and don't know much about Arkansas all the sites talk about trails but when you get there it's all talk. Please Help”

“Ozark Highland Trail runs from Ft Smith to the Buffalo National River. It may be connected by now to the Buffalo River Trail.

That's over 220 miles on linear trail system. I would suggest you buy the books by Tim Ernst Trail Guides.

Eagle Rock Loop is a very nice 28 mile loop southwest of Hot Springs.

In short, almost all of the hiking in Arkansas is in the Western Half. The Eastern Half is flat land hell.
last edited: 6/28/05 8:13:08 AM”

“BTW, where in Arkansas are you?”

“I'm in Wynne. About 50 miles West of Memphis Tenn.”

“I just moved to Knoxville from Marion (about 30 miles east of Wynne).

I usually make it back to Marion about every 6 weeks or so.

Nearest hiking trail to you (not backpacking) is at Village Creek SP.”

“You should probably check out the Sylamore Creek Trail, about 8 miles NW from Mountain View. The trail starts at Allison and runs about 14 miles to Barkshed Recreation Area.

It's one of the best trails in the state. Try the Butterfield Loop in Devils Den State Park, too.”

“Thanks I appriciate it.”

“Welcome to Arkansas!

No on mentioned the Ouachita Trail? Only 226 miles long running from Oklahoma to Little Rock.

Mozark”

“Is that stargate as in SG-1?”

“there are NO good hiking trails in Arkansas...go back to where you come from. We don't need no more arkansas rednecks. (unless your female, single, gorgeous, and available).”

“Since stikmon says there are no good hiking trails in Arkansas. I guess I wont have to worry about running into trashy S.O.B.'s.”

“Nice comeback stargate.

Nevermind him, he is boothell trailerpark trash.

LMAO


j/k stickmon”

“stargate stands no chance of survival here...lol”

“Since stikmon says there are no good hiking trails in Arkansas. I guess I wont have to worry about running into trashy S.O.B.'s.”
stargate
1:41:29 PM
6/30/05

Don't discount stikmon's advice. Arkansas trails are overgrown with trashy S.O.B's. Missouri and Tennessee is where you want to hike.”

“WTF? You mean bacpac backpacks in Arkansas?”

“chili36 you know the area we are in pretty good do you know of any back roads that it will be possible to travel on bikes to Little Rock on with children ages 10, 13, and 15. At the moment any trail we decide on we will be backpacking to get there as my vehicle is out of operation at the present time. We have thought of the Ouachita Trail and decided that if we ride our bikes with a small homemade built trailer to carry our packs. We can store them at Little Rock and proceed from there on foot. And incase I didnt mention I am a mother of three that will be going on this trip as well. Oh and stikmon until you try it don't under estimate a woman you don't know.
last edited: 6/30/05 11:02:15 PM”

“Hmm, that makes it more complex.

Wynne to LR is a long haul.

If I were going to bike it somewhere, from Wynne, I would cut down 64 through Bald Knob, down to Searcy, and across to Sylamore.

But even then, that would be like 80 miles to the trail head.

Your better bet, if you want to camp, is to cut South from Wynne along 1 toward Forrest City, along the Crowleys Ridge Parkway. Village Creek SP can keep kids busy for a day or two.”

“I have been looking at the map and was wondering if you might know of any places along 64 they we would be able to camp overnight. I think it is farther than my youngest can do in a day or even two.”

“I figure that we could get to Sercy in a day then stay overnight there and go on the next. Do you know of any camp grounds at Sercy I havent been able to find any.”

“I figure you are head case. It is not Sercy, it is Searcy, pronounced, 'sir-see', not 'Sears...See.'

Nobody backpacks in Arkansas after May. A mother who would bike 80 miles with a 10, 13 and 15 year old child in July is unfit.

That said, there are some access points along the White River west of Augusta. Camping is come as you are.

Troll alert.”

“This is one of those times, I have to agree with bacpac.

Going anywhere across the Delta by bike this time of year would like being in hell for a day.

I suspect a troll as well.

chili”

“The problem is this is the only time that we can do it.”

“Just because someone doesn't know what they are getting into doesn't make them a troll. Not knowing about their local environment is why they are here.

Chill the $%#& out.
last edited: 7/05/05 12:00:19 AM”

“I want to help you understand what the last couple of years have been like. Then maybe you will understand why this does not seem an impossible thing to do. We had planned for two years to go on the AT. We were to leave out on the trail on April 15, 2004. On March 7, 2004 my youngest child was struck by a car. Almost 1 1/2 years of treatment and theapy to get back to the point that she was in before the accident. On May 19, 2004 my 13 year old fell and broke her elbow and now has 4 screws. 7 months of thearpy to be able to get a backpack on and off again. We had wanted to hike the OT here in Arkansas thinking it would be shorter and that way we would be able to practice on it for the AT maybe for next year. Planned to leave on May 17, 2005. On May 14, 2005 my 13 year old broke her foot running through the house and kicked a door frame. At the present time everyone is WELL and the funds are there. If you need more information then check out the trail talk on the $300.00 Challenge. So don't judge me when you don't know anything about me. As I stated earlier on our vehicle died it's been down since August 2004. And I was recently told that the only way to get it back on the road is to replace the motor or atleast that would be the cheapest route. When you ride bikes as much as we have lately then 80 miles is nothing.”

“Sorry to hear about your hard luck. But winding up in Wynne, Arkansas and looking to ride bikes, (kids and all) across the Delta to a trailhead, then hike on across the Quachitas does make one wonder.”

“I came on here for advice as stated we came from Iowa and you can hike there pretty much any time. But all I have gotten is criticism. So yes, I guess I do wonder what was I thinking asking people who who don't seem to have any advice and can only criticize.”

“Don't confuse sound advice with criticism.

I lived in the Delta. I have family there. I know the heat index was 102 degrees before 10AM yesterday.

I know how kids can fall like flies in that environment. So, when I say the Delta is not condusive to a long bike ride in the summer, I would hope you would pay some deference to my experience.

However, by no means am I being critical. Do as you will.”

“stargate--
The people here at Trailtalk do a lot of poking fun and silly banter, but don't let it get you down... They have lots of good advice when it really counts-- you just have to take things with a grain of salt when they are teasing....

That being said--I'd listen to chili's advice... I had a similar question about backpacking in Georgia at the end of July--(I'm from Michigan) and got a very similar response... Don't forget that you'll be a lot further south, in a climate probably 10 times worse than what we get up here in the midwest.... All kidding aside-- no one wants anyone to get hurt from not understanding the local environment when hiking, biking or doing anything to enjoy the outdoors!

Best of luck...

Oh, and by the way, you might want to check out this funny little thread.... which may explain the "troll" welcome....

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/19954,-1.php”

“you've got mail.”

“Where does everyone hike after May then.”

“I float the rivers till October.

Skeeters, ticks and chiggers...oh MY.”

“I would but got one that won't learn how to swim.”

“We thought about doing a canoe trip along the Buffalo river. We would still have the same problem only bikes to get us there at the moment.”

“Hey, where are all of those floating threads(trips) this summer? The Buffalo has dried up on me and I'm needing a fix before Thanksgiving gets here!

:)

Moz”

“I think stickmon has some experience floating the Buffalo in the Summer.

LOL”

“Is the White River mostly rapids”

“The White river is all rapids. Class four and five in some areas.”

“I have got to get my vehicle back on the road anyone know how to replace the connecting rod and bearings.”

“Reply to stickmon's email.”

“Wasnt asking someone to do it for me. I can take the engine apart and put it back to together. Just wanting to know if anyone knew if the connecting rod is in the middle of the engine or at the bottom. And before you start in yes I do know you still have to start at the top.”

“what are you asking? Are you asking if I'm floating almost every weekend? Assume yes, and go from there. I have been instructed to "hike my own hike" or "float my own float" by some snots from back east, so, I'm not gonna put up that I'm out in the field every derned weekend. Nope, I'm only gonna post up the butt breaker trips where I hike or float 60+ miles in a 24 hour period. I guess its not about sharin the moments and thoughts, its about braggin on the miles. whatnever.

Mike, if ya wanna float, call me. I'm not posting up local trips no more. they happen all the time and aren't anything of "substance".”