This short and sweet loop in the Ozark National Forest will take you on an otherworldly adventure among the rocks. Families with smaller explorers are welcomed! Let's take a break from the typical hike and spend the afternoon climbing over, around, and through these towering formations.
It's amazing what other worlds can be found around Arkansas' different mountains.
Our numerous bluff trails will take you right to the edge of stunning sights and unique formations. Ricketts Mountain is in the middle of the Ozark National Forest, just outside of Mt. Judea. You'll find it between Arkansas' Grand Canyon and the Alum Cove Natural Bridge.
The trail isn't much of a hike but it is a splendid way to spend the afternoon.
The loop is an easy .4-miles that takes about 30 minutes but the here-to-there isn't the main feature of the trail. The endless rock formations are what you'll want to discover!
Along the way you'll find plenty of towering formation, crevasses, and shelters to traverse.
These formations will take you above and below the trail for some solid exploration. There aren't any fully formed caves but the different cracks almost feel like a maze.
Professional boulders do frequent the area but Ricketts Mountain is welcoming to any avid explorer as well.
Every skill level will be able to find a formation or two to scale. Keep an eye on children around the taller formations and around the bluffs but overall this is an area the whole family will love.
The trail does lead to gorgeous vista but that's not the only reason to take the hike.
This is one of the few trails where the end view isn't the main highlight! Head to this site for a helpful GPS-friendly map of the trail.
Have you taken your family to this solid adventure? Did your time really rock? We'd love to hear about in the comments below and see your photos in our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
Ricketts Mountain isn't the only out-of-this-world trail to experience in Arkansas!
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