11 Amazing Arkansas Hikes Under 3 Miles You'll Absolutely Love
J.B. VanDyke
Author
Anytime is a great time to get out and enjoy all that the Natural State has to offer. And that should probably require some hiking, right? Below you’ll find 11 of the best hikes in Arkansas that you’re sure to love. And all of them are less than 3 miles long. Some of them are easy and some are moderately difficult, but all are totally delightful.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
With an entrance immediately behind the visitor center, this short trail is a great way to see the forest near Lake Fort Smith State Park, and the lake is always a gorgeous sight. Before you enter the trail, I recommend you stop at the overlook and check out the view. It’s pretty incredible as well.
Difficulty: Moderate
Lost Valley is one of the most exceptionally beautiful places in the Buffalo National River Area, and there’s a short trail that can show you a great deal of that wonder. Lost Valley Trail begins at a camping area and ends at a cave. Along the way, you’ll see some incredible sights, including waterfalls, a creek, cliffs, a natural bridge, a large bluff shelter, and just the gorgeous green of the forest all around. The first half mile of the trail is so easy it’s wheelchair accessible, but the trail is rated as moderate overall because of the decrease in ease after that point.
Difficulty: Moderate
You may get to see an impressive waterfall along this trail, though during dry spells the waterfall is reduced enough to be somewhat less impressive. What is always impressive is the view from King’s Bluff Trail, one of the best hikes in Arkansas. It is moderately difficult, but the views of one of Arkansas’s most impressive geologic areas are well worth it.
Difficulty: Moderate
The Alum Cove Natural Bridge Trail is a geologic wonder of the Natural State and among the most scenic hikes in Arkansas. It’s one of the largest natural bridges in our region. It’s so wide, in fact, that pioneers used it as an actual bridge. On the Alum Cove Trail, you’ll get the chance to explore the stunning bridge. The trail is moderately difficult, but it is also very short.
Difficulty: Easy
Mill Creek Loop begins at the Pruitt Launch in the Buffalo National River Area and takes you to a historic homestead and cemetery, allowing you to get the best of Arkansas’s natural beauty and the history of intrepid pioneers who set up their homes on the edge of the wilderness. Its ease makes it one of the most popular and kid-friendly hikes around Arkansas.
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Difficulty: Easy
White Rock Mountain Recreation Area is in the Ozark National Forest, which already makes it pretty appealing, right? Rim Trail takes you through some sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, making it one of the best places to see the Ozarks. The trail is short, and pretty easy, though you should reconsider bringing small children along on this adventure. Those drop-offs are no joke!
Difficulty:
Located in Lake Catherine State Park which surrounds one of Arkansas’s five Diamond Lakes, Falls Branch Trail is notable not only because of its beauty, but because it leads to a gorgeous waterfall not far from the lake’s shore. Falls Creek Falls is lovely and the water beneath serves as a swimming hole in the summer. Since it’s so easily accessible, you really don’t have any excuse not to visit. If you're searching for "hiking trails near me," this one will definitely appear near the top of the list!
Difficulty: Easy
The Beech Ridge Trail is short, easy, and gives you the opportunity to explore a gorgeous Loblolly forest at White Oak Lake State Park. This South Arkansas treasure won’t take you much time to hike, and you’ll enjoy the dense hardwood forest so much.
Difficulty: Easy
As with any trail at Mount Magazine State Park, you can count on stunning views from Benefield Loop Trail’s two loops. The East Loop takes you past stone fences to beautiful views of Bear Hollow. The West Loop brings you across the highway to a wonderful wildlife pond, where it connects with another lovely trail. These two trails come in at almost exactly 2 miles if you take both, the East Loop is 1.1 miles long and the West Loop is .9 miles.
Difficulty: Easy
The Rock House Cave Trail at Petit Jean State Park isn’t short—it’s tiny. At only .25 miles, it is one of the most kid-friendly hikes around Arkansas. The shortness of the trail doesn’t mean it’s boring, though, as Rock House Cave is an extraordinary place to explore ancient geology and Native American rock art. And while we're at it, Rock House Cave isn’t a real cave at all. It’s actually a large rock shelter where Native Americans once made a home.
Difficulty: Easy
Whitaker Point is probably one of the most recognizable natural spots in the Natural State, and it’s iconic for its incredible beauty. There’s nowhere quite like it in the whole world, and the trail you’ll take to get there is both easy and brief. You need to be really, really careful on the crag, of course. You wouldn’t want to fall off of the prettiest place in the world.
Have you hiked any of these trails? Which were your favorites? We’d love to see your photos and hear about your experiences there.
Check out these other great hikes that are a little bit longer, but still, less than 5 miles. Moreover, here are some other easy trails you can add to your bucket list!
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Best hikes in Arkansas
How do I get to Lake Fort Smith State Park?
Lake Fort Smith State Park is located approximately 40 minutes northeast of Fort Smith and just about the same distance straight south of Fayetteville. Activities at this 1,400-acre reservoir include kayaking, hiking, camping, fishing, and more. The scenery here is spectacular and you can find plenty of places to sit back and take in the amazing views. There’s also a beautiful waterfall that makes a visit here so worth it.
Where can I find an interesting historic landmark in Arkansas?
You’ll find a wealth of historic landmarks dotted all over The Natural State, each one offering its own unique story. One of the most well-known, of course, is Central High School in Little Rock. This is where the “Little Rock Nine” made their courageous, yet terrifying stand toward school integration. The Arkansas Post in Arkansas Post, the Bathhouse Row Historic District in Hot Springs, and the Fort Smith National Historic Site in Fort Smith are just a few others to check out as you travel around the state.
Is there a science museum in Arkansas?
Yes, there is! It’s called the Mid-America Science Museum and it’s located in Piney, AK. Fun for both kids and adults, the museum is chock full of interesting gallery and exhibit spaces and hands-on interactive activities. One of the highlights of a visit here is to walk over The Bob Wheeler Science Skywalk. Spanning 180 feet, it offers visitors a birds-eye view of the forest treetops and beautiful wooded areas.