You could probably hike Arkansas trails forever and still never see all the wonders the Natural State has to offer. Luckily, you don’t have to have forever to view the gorgeous landscape here: we’ve selected some awesome hikes that can be done in an afternoon. Beneath the descriptions, you’ll also find the trails’ lengths and difficulty levels. Here are our picks for great hikes under five miles in Arkansas.

1. Caddo Bend Trail, Lake Ouachita State Park (Mountain Pine)
Granger Meador/Flickr
You can hike around the lake here, and as long as you’ve got a leash, your four-legged best friend can come with you. With a bit of searching, you can also find a super cool, if not small, cave.

Length: 3.8 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Check out the AllTrails page for additional information.

Address: 5451 Mountain Pine Road, Mountain Pine, Arkansas, 71956
2. Bear Hollow Trail, Mount Magazine State Park (Paris)
Granger Meador/Flickr
Set at gorgeous Mount Magazine, Bear Hollow Trail makes for a magical afternoon every single time. Be sure to pack a lunch, as this one ends at the Benefield Picnic Area! On the way, you can find gems like Inspiration Point (pictured above), Sunrise Rock, and Shoal Creek.

Length: 2.8 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Check out the official website for additional information.

Address: 577 Lodge Drive, Paris, Arkansas, 72855
3. Bench Road Trail, Mount Nebo State Park (Dardanelle)
Jesse N/AllTrails
About 300 feet below the summit of Mount Nebo is a slab of sandstone known as "The Bench." Bench ultra-cool natural shelf. The trail features views of Fern Lake, and steps that were once meant to be part of a resort development. Plus, you could always simply sit among the wildflowers and enjoy.

Length: 4 miles Difficulty: Easy

Check out the AllTrails website for additional information.

Address: 16728 State Highway 155, Dardanelle, Arkansas, 72834
4. Coastal Plain Trail, White Oak Lake State Park (Bluff City)
Woman of Scorn/Flickr
Named for the region of Arkansas in which it is placed, this trail winds through sand hills and offers views of terrific, unique plant life. Hikers here can admire the transition of lowland wonders to dreamy forest landscapes, and the lake itself is totally gorgeous.

Length: 3 miles. Difficulty: Moderate

Check out the Arkansas State Parks website for additional information.

Address: 563 State Highway 387 #1701, Bluff City, Arkansas, 71722
5. Falls Branch Trail, Lake Catherine State Park (Hot Springs)
Cletus Lee/Flickr
This trail is a can’t-miss because it leads to the spectacular Falls Creek Falls. It passes through beautiful hardwood forests and crosses Little Canyon Creek several times.

Length: 2 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Check out the official website for additional information.

Address: 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, Arkansas, 71913
6. Harris Creek Trail, Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area (Wickes)
Jeremy Stump/Flickr
Moving from Baker Creek Bridge to Harris Creek to the Cossatot River, this trail winds through mature forests, around a shale pit, and features an overlook of the Cossatot at the trail’s end.

Length: 3 miles. Difficulty: moderate.

Check out the official website for additional information.

Address: 1980 US-278, Wickes, Arkansas, 71973

Related Stories

Williams Hollow Trail Is A Gorgeous Forest Trail In Arkansas That Will Take You To A Hidden Overlook

Williams Hollow Trail Is A Gorgeous Forest Trail In Arkansas That Will Take You To A Hidden Overlook

 The Hike To Arkansas' Pretty Little Lake Atalanta Is Short And Sweet

The Hike To Arkansas' Pretty Little Lake Atalanta Is Short And Sweet

 Take An Easy Loop Trail Past Some Of The Prettiest Scenery In Arkansas On Hunt’s Loop Trail

Take An Easy Loop Trail Past Some Of The Prettiest Scenery In Arkansas On Hunt’s Loop Trail
7. Indian Rockhouse Self-Guided Nature Trail, Buffalo National River (Harrison)
Dave Thomas/Flickr
At the end of this trail, you’ll find an incredible Indian Rockhouse Cave that prehistoric Native Americans once called home. There are no ruins there, but the cave is well worth the hike. Iff you add an extra two miles to your hike, you can also visit a bat cave. No, not THE Bat Cave, just A bat cave.

Length: 3.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous

Check out the official Arkansas.com website for additional information.

Address: 337 Snead Drive, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, 72088
8. Rim Trail, Mount Nebo State Park (Dardanelle)
Granger Meador/Flickr
This trail circles the top of Mount Nebo. It’s also the starting point for the other 14 trails in the park! From the trail, you can catch glimpses of gorgeous Lake Dardanelle as well as panoramic views of the Arkansas River Valley.

Length: 3.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Check out the AllTrails website for additional information.

Address: 16728 State Highway 155, Dardanelle, Arkansas, 72834
9. Seven Hollows Trail, Petit Jean State Park (Morrilton)
Granger Meador/Flickr
Through small canyons and onward to prehistoric cave dwellings! Seven Hollows Trail is a unique experience that any hiker of most skills levels can enjoy. There’s a natural stone arch, a hardwood forest, and some truly unique rock formations along the way, too.

Length: 4.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Check out the AllTrails website for additional information.

Address: 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, Arkansas, 72110
10. Winding Stairs Trail, Albert Pike Recreation Area (Caddo Gap)
Granger Meador/Flickr
This trail follows the Little Missouri River and features cascades and waterfalls. You can find great fishing spots and swimming holes, and your canine friends are welcome as long as you’ve got them on a leash.

Length: 4.8 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Check out the AllTrails website for additional information.

Address: NFW 106, Umpire, Arkansas, 71971
11. Yellow Rock Trail, Devil’s Den State Park (West Fork)
Flickr/Jonathan Ball
This trail takes hikers up 300 feet of elevation, to the best view in the park. The trail ends with the spectacular view from Yellow Rock, which puts the Lee Creek valley at hikers’ feet.

Length: 3 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Check out the Arkansas State Parks website for additional information.

Address: 11333 West Arkansas Highway 74, West Fork, Arkansas, 72774
12. White Rock Rim Loop, White Rock Mountain Recreation Area (White Rock)
Brandonrush/Wikimedia
Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this trail takes hikers around the bluffs surrounding White Rock. These are truly some of the most spectacular views to be found in Arkansas.

Length: 2 miles Difficulty: Moderate

Check out the AllTrails website for additional information.

Address: 214 Bowles Gap Road, Winslow, Arkansas, 72959

When it comes to hikes under 5 miles in Arkansas, there are tons to choose from. There’s no way we included them all, so make sure to tell us your favorites in the comments! Looking for more ideas for your next getaway in Arkansas? Check this list out for inspiration.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Hikes Under 5 Miles in Arkansas

Tori Jane | April 15, 2021

What are the best hiking trails in Arkansas?

We here in the Natural State are lucky to live in a place so filled with natural beauty (and with so many trails to explore it on). Considering that there are literally hundreds of trails throughout the state to choose from, there are a few that stand out as a little more special than the others. Some of these more exceptional trails include such gems as Whitaker Point Trail, deep in the Ozark Forest, the Lost Valley Trail, along Buffalo National River, and the breathtaking Hemmed in Hollow Trail, also along Buffalo National River. Craving more? Check out this article for some of our other favorite trails in Arkansas.

What are some things to do outdoors in Arkansas?

Anything you can think to do outdoors in most places are done in abundance here in Arkansas! We take your average hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking outdoors experiences and crank them up to 11. There are 52 state parks scattered all over the Natural State, and each one offers its own kind of adventure. You can do everything from primitive camping to luxurious glamping trips you won't forget; you can fish, go rock climbing, and go geocaching. There's a reason we're called the Natural State, so getting out and enjoying nature is a priority for everyone.

Where can I find beautiful scenery in Arkansas?

Honestly? Everywhere. The state is gorgeous, and if you're a lover of the woods, you'll definitely love it here. They cover Arkansas in lush forestry and winding rivers, offering some of the best natural views in the country. You can't really go wrong in any one section of the state; we've got more than just forests, too! We've also got caves to explore (we recommend Blanchard Springs Caverns), state parks to admire, and plenty of lakes and rivers to float an entire afternoon away on. Take your time and enjoy it - the Natural State is beautiful... naturally.

Related Articles

Explore Arkansas

Featured Addresses
5451 Mountain Pine Rd, Mountain Pine, AR 71956, USA
577 Lodge Dr, Paris, AR 72855, USA
563 State Hwy 387, Bluff City, AR 71722, USA
Catherine Park Rd, Fenter Township, AR 71913, USA
1980 US-278, Wickes, AR 71973, USA
337 Snead Dr, Fairfield Bay, AR 72088, USA
16728 State Hwy 155, Dardanelle, AR 72834, USA
1285 Petit Jean Mountain Rd, Morrilton, AR 72110, USA
Nfw 106, Hopper Township, AR 71971, USA
11333 AR-74, West Fork, AR 72774, USA
214 Bowles Gap Rd, Winslow, AR 72959, USA