The Hiking Trail Hiding In Arkansas That Will Transport You To Another World
The trail we’re talking about today isn’t exactly short. In fact, it’s a little over eleven miles long. You certainly don’t have to hike the whole thing, however. Little Missouri Trail is absolutely gorgeous, and a big part of its appeal is the gorgeous forest it will lead you through. If you want to feel like you’re on a densely forested, beautiful moon with lovely waterways, you simply have to try out moderately difficult and stunningly beautiful Little Missouri Trail.
The Little Missouri Trail begins in the Little Missouri Falls Recreation Area, which is centered around the Little Missouri River. If you traveled the entire length of the long, long trail, you’d follow the Little Missouri River all the way to Albert Pike Recreation Area.
One of the most incredible parts of the trail is the part where you get to see Little Missouri Falls. It’s just up the trail a little ways, and boy is it lovely.
Instead of being a tall drop waterfall, Little Missouri Falls is actually a series of impressive cascades. It’s a gorgeous place to look at, but it’s even more fun if you want to play in the water.
There’s more to the hike than just intense falls and gorgeous river views. The Ouachita National Forest is going to make you feel like you’ve been transported to an uninhabited planet. There isn’t anything quite as magical as the light coming through those beautiful, dense trees.
No matter how you choose to enjoy Little Missouri Trail, you’ll feel like you’re walking on another planet, a billion miles away from it all, as you explore the river, the falls, and the forest surrounding them.
Here’s a little bonus adventure for you on the way to the trail:
Pull over the car on the way to the trailhead. You’ll want to stop on Forest Road 25 and check out Crooked Creek Falls. It won’t take but a minute and it’s well worth pausing to view this unique waterfall.
J.B. Weisenfels has lived in rural Arkansas for three decades. She is a writer, a mom, and a graduate student. She is also an avid collector of tacky fish whatnots, slightly chipped teapots, and other old things. In her spare time she enjoys driving to the nearest creek to sit a while. If you were to visit her, she'd try to feed you cornbread.
