Take A Winter Hike Near Fort Smith

In Fort Smith, Arkansas, the mild winters are perfect for a peaceful, snowy hike. You can bundle up in a warm jacket, explore the outdoors, enjoy nature, and learn more about the plants and animals in the area. A fun hike is a great way to spend time with your friends or family members, and you won’t need to worry about mosquitoes, ticks, or snakes in cool weather. Here are some of the best places for winter hiking near Fort Smith. 

The Ozark Highlands Trail    

The Ozark Highlands Trail is about 40 minutes north of Fort Smith at Lake Fort Smith State Park. This trail is more than 165 miles long, and a nonprofit organization maintains it, while extending it. When it’s finished, it will stretch from Lake Fort Smith State Park to Lake Norfolk. Three miles of the Ozark Highlands Trail run through the state park, and you’ll get a great view of Lake Fort Smith. The rest of the trail has a variety of beautiful scenery; bridges, waterfalls, and rock formations.

Experienced hikers can traverse the entire path in about a week. Animal footprints are a common sight on the trail, and you could see deer, armadillos, birds, black bears, and more. You can take dogs on leashes with you, and camping is allowed. The creeks along the trail have enough clean water, but you should filter or boil the water before you drink it.

The Butterfield Hiking Trail

This trail is at Devil’s Den State Park, about 40 minutes north of Fort Smith. It’s a 15-mile loop, and it’s a fun challenge for experienced hikers. The trail  sits on the edge of the Ozark National Forest, and it’s filled with scenic views that amateur photographers will love. Hiking the entire trail takes about 12 hours, and backpackers must get a free permit at the park office before starting their hike. The trail is rocky, and there are two creek crossings with plenty of water. You can camp there overnight, and horseback riding as well as dogs on leashes are allowed. You may need to climb over or under fallen trees on the trail.

Mount Magazine State Park 

This park has some of the best hiking trails in the state, and it’s about an hour and 15 minutes away from Fort Smith. The mountain is also the highest point in the area at 2,753 feet. The views are beautiful, and there’s a visitor’s center with a gift shop and a picnic area with a pavilion. You can also go horseback riding and hang gliding.

The Cove Lake Trail is 9.7 miles long, and it takes about five hours to walk. You can see stands of virgin hardwoods, turkey, and white-tailed deer. The Signal Hill Trail is 1.5 miles long, and it goes to the highest peak in Arkansas. You will find a 400-square-foot stone map of the state once you reach the top. The Mossback Ridge Trail is connected to the Signal Hill Trail, and it’s 2.1 miles long. It’s an easy hike for beginners, and it takes around two hours.

Even in winter, hiking near Fort Smith is lots of fun. These are just some of the excellent hiking trails in the area.

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