Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics

Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
View from the vista on the south part of the Horseshoe Mountain Trail. Lake Catherine in the distance. (Panoramic.)

The Horseshoe Mountain Trail at Lake Catherine State Park (near Hot Springs) is an enjoyable and vigorous 2.7-mile hike.

Although the longest stretch of the trail is on the U-shaped ridge on Horseshoe Mountain, my favorite parts are the wooded hillside areas where the trail approaches the ridge from the north and from the south.

There are also a few vistas that are very nice, and a stretch along the Lake Catherine shoreline which is a treat.

Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
Scenic climb at the southeast part of Horseshoe Mountain Trail.

Check Mara’s full profile of the trail here.

Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
The stretch at the beginning of the Horseshoe Mountain Trail as it works its way up the mountain (north part) is one of the most scenic areas.

These photos are all from my August 16, 2015 hike.

Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
Horseshoe Mountain Trail, Lake Catherine State Park.
Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
I’m a big fan of the first part of the loop as it works its way up Horseshoe Mountain.
Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
Horseshoe Mountain Trail, Lake Catherine State Park.
Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
Rock formations as the trail approaches the ridge on Horseshoe Mountain are one of the coolest aspects of the trail.
Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
Rocky area on Horseshoe Mountain Trail.
Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
Horseshoe Mountain Trail, Lake Catherine State Park.
Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
Bench at the trail’s north vista. There is a short spur to reach the vista.
Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
Much of the Horseshoe Mountain Trail is on a ridge with fewer and shorter trees and lots of grassy areas that go dormant during the hot part of the summer.
Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
Horseshoe Mountain Trail, Lake Catherine State Park.
Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
Cool switchback part of the Horseshoe Mountain Trail on the southeast part of the loop.
Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
Horseshoe Mountain Trail, along shore of Lake Catherine.
Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
On the east (last) part of the loop, there are some very nice views of Lake Catherine.
Lake Catherine: Horseshoe Mountain Trail Pics photo
Swinging bridge, toward the end of the Horseshoe Mountain Trail loop. Lake Catherine State Park.

Photo Gallery

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Last revised: 3-9-2020

By Mike Newman

Mike Newman, editor and creator of Arklahoma Hiker, likes to day hike and walk outdoors in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

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