Ouachita Trail: 51.6-54.1 – Queen Wilhelmina to Hwy 88 (Section 3)

This is a 2.5-mile stretch of the Ouachita Trail that goes from Queen Wilhelmina State Park heading east to Highway 88 (Talimena Scenic Highway). It is the first part of Section 3 (following Tim Ernst), and is all on Rich Mountain in Polk County, near Mena. It is a pretty enjoyable stretch mostly running along […]

Fort Smith: Ben Geren Paved Bike Trail – 4 mi (o&b)

The 1.9-mile (each way) Ben Geren Paved Bike Trail (Fort Smith, Sebastian County) is a cool mostly wooded multi-use trail for bikes, walkers, and runners. This is one of a number of walking and bike trails that have been built in the area southeast of Ben Geren Regional Park that was formerly part of Fort […]

Earthquake Ridge Trail Fall Pics (Ouachita Forest)

Last November, I did the Earthquake Ridge and Southern Loop Trails in the Ouachita National Forest near Mena (Polk County). These two together make an enjoyable 3-mile hike through a pretty area on Rich Mountain at the east end of the Talimena Scenic Drive. These are photos I took on my November 10 hike. There […]

Hemmed-in Hollow Falls Trail (Buffalo River) ā€“ 5 mi (o&b)

At 209 feet tall, Hemmed-in Hollow Falls (Buffalo River Upper District, Newton County near Compton) is the tallest waterfall between the Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains.  While the hike isn’t easy, it is very popular as hikers are eager to see this towering beauty of the falls, and the Compton trailhead is easy to […]

Lake Ouachita: Caddo Bend Trail ā€“ 4 mi

One of my favorite hikes around the Hot Springs area is the Caddo Bend Trail at Lake Ouachita State Park (Garland County). This 4-mile moderately challenging loop showcases the beauty of the forest that blankets the Ouachita Mountains. It also has beautiful views of Lake Ouachita.

Mount Nebo: Bench Road Trail Autumn Pics

The Bench Road Trail at Mount Nebo State Park (Yell County, Near Russellville) is a very enjoyable trail. The 3.7-mile trail (including a quarter-mile walk along the road) is a natural bench that circles the mountain. It just has a few vistas, but it is full of beautiful scenery and history. In the 1890s, it […]