Not all trails lead to waterfalls. From Native American structures, historic battlefields and ghost towns, Arkansas is filled with a rich history. Luckily for us, both history lovers and nature lovers will enjoy many of our beautiful, historic hikes. Get lean and learn on these unique hikes in Arkansas that lead to extraordinary historical ruins.
- Arkansas Post National Museum Trail - Gillett
Facebook/Arkansas Post National Memorial Settled in 1686, Arkansas Post was the first permanent French settlement in the lower Mississippi Valley. This 2.2 mile trail is filled with historical goodies, including the site of the original village.
- Battlefield Loop Trail - Prairie Grove
AllTrails/Doug Neidholdt Recognized nationally as one of America’s most intact Civil War battlefields, Prairie Grove State Park is a must stop for war buffs. The pleasantly short 1.1 mile trail will tour the battlefield as well as the intact buildings from the war.
- Louisiana Purchase Boardwalk - Brinkley
TripAdvisor/mammiepoppy Step into the early 1800s as you walk through the largest headwater swamp remaining in the Mississippi River Valley. Found within the Louisiana Purchase State Park, the brief boardwalk leads to the point from which land surveys of the Louisiana Purchase Territory began.
- Old Military Road Trail - Wynne
Flickr/Shelia Brennan Part of the Village Creek State Park, the 2.2 mile trail is one of the most substantial portions of the Trail of Tears. The road was originally completed in 1829.
- Mirror Lake Trail - Fifty-Six
AllTrails/Courtney Miller This short 1.7 mile trail is just outside of Blanchard Springs Caverns. Besides the gorgeous view of the lake, the trail also passes ruins of an old mill.
- The Village Trail - Parkin
TripAdvisor/airlink9972 For some of the earliest history in Arkansas, check out the .8 mile trail running through Parkin Archaeological State Park. The mound was once the foundation for the village chief around A.D. 1000.
- Rock House Cave Trail - Morrilton
Flickr/Granger Meador Discover Native American rock art over 500 years old on this four mile trail. This large rock shelter also contains “turtle rocks,” an interesting geological formation.
- Plum Bayou Trail Loop – Scott
TripAdvisor/Richard F Take the 2.5 mile trail to see the remains of the ceremonial and governmental complex originally inhabited until A.D. 1050. The Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park also has had unusual artifacts excavated from the site.
- Rush Mountain Mining Loop Trail - Rush
AllTrails/Crystal Brewer How often do you get to tour a ghost town? This 3.6 mile trail leads uphill to the abandoned mines (which are gated so sorry but no Scooby-Doo investigating) and tours around the old mining equipment, blacksmith shop, smelter, and more.
Are you ready to take one of these archaeological tours? Have you been on any of these unique hikes in Arkansas? Let us know in the comments below!
Facebook/Arkansas Post National Memorial
Settled in 1686, Arkansas Post was the first permanent French settlement in the lower Mississippi Valley. This 2.2 mile trail is filled with historical goodies, including the site of the original village.
AllTrails/Doug Neidholdt
Recognized nationally as one of America’s most intact Civil War battlefields, Prairie Grove State Park is a must stop for war buffs. The pleasantly short 1.1 mile trail will tour the battlefield as well as the intact buildings from the war.
TripAdvisor/mammiepoppy
Step into the early 1800s as you walk through the largest headwater swamp remaining in the Mississippi River Valley. Found within the Louisiana Purchase State Park, the brief boardwalk leads to the point from which land surveys of the Louisiana Purchase Territory began.
Flickr/Shelia Brennan
Part of the Village Creek State Park, the 2.2 mile trail is one of the most substantial portions of the Trail of Tears. The road was originally completed in 1829.
AllTrails/Courtney Miller
This short 1.7 mile trail is just outside of Blanchard Springs Caverns. Besides the gorgeous view of the lake, the trail also passes ruins of an old mill.
TripAdvisor/airlink9972
For some of the earliest history in Arkansas, check out the .8 mile trail running through Parkin Archaeological State Park. The mound was once the foundation for the village chief around A.D. 1000.
Flickr/Granger Meador
Discover Native American rock art over 500 years old on this four mile trail. This large rock shelter also contains “turtle rocks,” an interesting geological formation.
TripAdvisor/Richard F
Take the 2.5 mile trail to see the remains of the ceremonial and governmental complex originally inhabited until A.D. 1050. The Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park also has had unusual artifacts excavated from the site.
AllTrails/Crystal Brewer
How often do you get to tour a ghost town? This 3.6 mile trail leads uphill to the abandoned mines (which are gated so sorry but no Scooby-Doo investigating) and tours around the old mining equipment, blacksmith shop, smelter, and more.
For more information on Rush and others, read about the grim realities of Arkansas ghost towns.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 1741 Old Post Rd, Gillett, AR 72055, USAAddress: S Battlefield Park Rd, Prairie Grove, AR 72753, USAAddress: Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park, AR-362, Holly Grove, AR 72069, USAAddress: Village Creek State Park, 201 County Road 754, Wynne, AR 72396, USAAddress: Blanchard Rd, Mountain View, AR 72560, USAAddress: Parkin Archeological State Park, 60 State Hwy 184, Parkin, AR 72373, USAAddress: Rock House Cave, 364-294 Red Bluff Dr, Morrilton, AR 72110, USAAddress: Toltec Mounds, Arkansas 72142, USAAddress: Rush, AR 72687, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
unique hikes in Arkansas August 06, 2020 Jackie Ann What’s the most beautiful hike in Arkansas? With endless mountain ranges, rivers, valleys, and forests, you can bet that Arkansas is filled with beautiful hiking trails. While everyone will have their own thoughts on what’s the most beautiful hike in Arkansas, many will agree that the honor belongs to the Whitaker Point Trail near Pettigrew. For such a relative short hike (3 miles round trip) you’ll be amazed at the views you’ll see. From wildflowers to waterfalls, this short and sweet hike is jam packed with gorgeous scenery, including Whitacker Point which has one of the most stunning mountain range views in the state. Where can I hike to a cave in Arkansas? There are plenty of hiking trails that will lead you to caves in Arkansas, each one more hauntingly beautiful than the next. The caves at Pedestal Rocks are a must-see, and the 2.2-mile hike isn’t that long or hard, either, and you’ll have the opportunity to step inside the cave and take a look around. The Pedestal Rocks Loop Trail is located at the Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area, and the trail is easily marked, but it is rated as moderately difficult so be sure to wear the proper footwear before embarking on this awesome trail. What are the best waterfall hikes in Arkansas? Waterfall hikes are a great way to get outside and explore Arkansas, and luckily we’ve got plenty to choose from. Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls is the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians. Clocking in at 209 feet, this single-drop waterfall in the Ponca Wilderness Area in northern Arkansas is worth a road trip from any corner of the state. There are a few different hiking trails that will take you to the waterfall: Centerpoint Trail and the Compton Trail are both great options if you’d like to park and hike in, and you’re looking at about a five mile round trip hike to the falls, well worth every step.
The OIYS Visitor Center
unique hikes in Arkansas
August 06, 2020
Jackie Ann
What’s the most beautiful hike in Arkansas? With endless mountain ranges, rivers, valleys, and forests, you can bet that Arkansas is filled with beautiful hiking trails. While everyone will have their own thoughts on what’s the most beautiful hike in Arkansas, many will agree that the honor belongs to the Whitaker Point Trail near Pettigrew. For such a relative short hike (3 miles round trip) you’ll be amazed at the views you’ll see. From wildflowers to waterfalls, this short and sweet hike is jam packed with gorgeous scenery, including Whitacker Point which has one of the most stunning mountain range views in the state. Where can I hike to a cave in Arkansas? There are plenty of hiking trails that will lead you to caves in Arkansas, each one more hauntingly beautiful than the next. The caves at Pedestal Rocks are a must-see, and the 2.2-mile hike isn’t that long or hard, either, and you’ll have the opportunity to step inside the cave and take a look around. The Pedestal Rocks Loop Trail is located at the Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area, and the trail is easily marked, but it is rated as moderately difficult so be sure to wear the proper footwear before embarking on this awesome trail. What are the best waterfall hikes in Arkansas? Waterfall hikes are a great way to get outside and explore Arkansas, and luckily we’ve got plenty to choose from. Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls is the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians. Clocking in at 209 feet, this single-drop waterfall in the Ponca Wilderness Area in northern Arkansas is worth a road trip from any corner of the state. There are a few different hiking trails that will take you to the waterfall: Centerpoint Trail and the Compton Trail are both great options if you’d like to park and hike in, and you’re looking at about a five mile round trip hike to the falls, well worth every step.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
With endless mountain ranges, rivers, valleys, and forests, you can bet that Arkansas is filled with beautiful hiking trails. While everyone will have their own thoughts on what’s the most beautiful hike in Arkansas, many will agree that the honor belongs to the Whitaker Point Trail near Pettigrew. For such a relative short hike (3 miles round trip) you’ll be amazed at the views you’ll see. From wildflowers to waterfalls, this short and sweet hike is jam packed with gorgeous scenery, including Whitacker Point which has one of the most stunning mountain range views in the state.
Where can I hike to a cave in Arkansas?
There are plenty of hiking trails that will lead you to caves in Arkansas, each one more hauntingly beautiful than the next. The caves at Pedestal Rocks are a must-see, and the 2.2-mile hike isn’t that long or hard, either, and you’ll have the opportunity to step inside the cave and take a look around. The Pedestal Rocks Loop Trail is located at the Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area, and the trail is easily marked, but it is rated as moderately difficult so be sure to wear the proper footwear before embarking on this awesome trail.
What are the best waterfall hikes in Arkansas?
Waterfall hikes are a great way to get outside and explore Arkansas, and luckily we’ve got plenty to choose from. Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls is the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians. Clocking in at 209 feet, this single-drop waterfall in the Ponca Wilderness Area in northern Arkansas is worth a road trip from any corner of the state. There are a few different hiking trails that will take you to the waterfall: Centerpoint Trail and the Compton Trail are both great options if you’d like to park and hike in, and you’re looking at about a five mile round trip hike to the falls, well worth every step.
