Robinson Point Trail is a beautiful 3-mile hike at Robinson Point Park in Baxter County near Mountain Home. It gives you amazing views of Lake Norfork as well as the beauty of the Ozark Mountains.

Robinson Point Trail takes you through tunnels of cedar groves to endless views of turquoise and blue as the trail follows the curves and coves of Norfork Lake.

It is a lollipop loop (semi-loop), and is managed by the Corps of Engineers. It is a part of the Ozark Highlands Trail although not yet connected to the western sections.

Although the trail doesn’t have a lot of elevation gain, it does dip down and into some gullies and back up rather steeply. In some places, there is loose rock making footing a little tricky.

Overall, it is a fairly easy trail.

Getting to the Robinson Point Trailhead

To get to Robinson Point Park, take U.S. Highway 412/62 east from Mountain Home. After about 5 miles, take a right on Robinson Point Cutoff then a left on Robinson Point Road.

After 1.5 miles, the main trailhead (with parking) is on the right just before the entrance gate to the campground.

Those camping at Robinson Point can access the trail from behind the bathhouse near campsites 71 to 99.

Even though I was camping at the park, I started at the official trailhead so I could explore more of the forest.

The Hike – Trailhead to Lollipop Loop

The trail begins relatively flat and wide for easy walking.

After 0.25 miles, there is a bench and a fork in the trail. If you go straight, you will end up at the campground. Here, you want to go to the right to stay on the Robinson Point Trail.

The trail snakes around a cove of Norfork Lake. Then you go through a few groves of cedar trees where it seems like they shelter the trail. You get glimpses of the lake from higher up on shore.

At mile 0.7, the trail begins to head down into a gully and another cove of the lake. Here you come close to the water.

On the park’s brochure, it has a footbridge listed here. However, I did not cross a footbridge. I did notice quite a bit of trail work had recently been done which may account for its not being there.

The trail continues to snake around the cove. At around mile 0.9, you can look across the cove and see where you just hiked.

At mile 1.14, you pass the intersection with the return portion of the lollipop for the lollipop loop. Here you can go right or straight. Either way, you’ll end up back here. However, the trail going straight (clockwise) is much more defined and easier to see. So I chose to hike that way.

Lollipop Loop to Trailhead

As you head straight, the trail begins to climb slowly and become rockier. The trail hugs the shoreline it goes progressively higher above the water.

Around mile 1.3, the trees open up, and you get some amazing views of Norfork Lake.

You can see the cliffs from the side and the lake far below. The trail continues to climb and gives you more views from the top.

Around mile 1.38, you get a great view. Caution: Be careful in this area as these are high cliffs with no safety railing.

There is some safety railing a little farther down the trail at mile 1.45 for those not so fond of heights.

The trail gets a little confusing here. You have the option to continue to follow the shoreline or head away from the lake. When I hiked this trail, there were no trail markers. But as I noted above, they were doing work on the trail.

Hopefully, someday you will be able to continue to follow the shore and hike all the way west to Mountainburg via the Ozark Highlands Trail.

You will hike away from the cliffs and into the forests as you continue on the Robinson Point Trail. Here, the trail takes you through some lovely woods.

At mile 1.65, you come back to the stick portion of the lollipop loop.

From here, you simply retrace your steps back to the trailhead. You can enjoy seeing it from a different angle.

Ozark Highlands Trail and David’s Trail

Robinson Point Trail is a part of the Ozark Highlands Trail as well as David’s Trail. According to an article in Backpacker Magazine, the Lake Norfork portion of the Ozark Highlands Trail is still under construction. The 13-mile Lake Norfork Trail (pdf link) and the 17-mile David’s Trail are a part of the completed portions.

Although Robinson Point Trail does not connect with the Lake Norfork Trail, it is a part of David’s Trail.

Final Notes

I learned about Robinson Point Trail in Tim Ernst’s book, “Arkansas Hiking Trails.”

The trail is great in every season, but it is especially beautiful in the spring and fall. Wildflowers bloom all throughout the trail, and plentiful hardwoods and sweeping views make for an excellent showcase in autumn.

The elevation change between the high and low points is only about 100 feet.

Photo Gallery

Click below for full-screen photo gallery of these and more pics from my April 2022 hike.

Map

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Hiking the Huckleberry Trail at Woolly Hollow State Park (Faulkner County, north of Conway in the foothills of the Ozarks) is a great way to see and explore the entire park. This mildly challenging 3-mile loop showcases the hardwoods and landscape of the area as it circles Lake Bennett, a 40-acre lake built in the 1930s.

The Huckleberry Trail isn’t a complete loop. The trail begins and ends near the same point, but it can easily be connected by walking the road for about a quarter-mile. This not only gives you more views of the lake, but it also takes you by the Woolly Cabin, a one-room family homestead built in 1882.

Getting to the Huckleberry Trailhead at Woolly Hollow

To get to Woolly Hollow, take US Highway 65 north from Conway. After about 10 miles (and after going through Greenbrier), turn right (east) onto state highway 285 and take it for 6 miles. The state park will then be on your left.

To find the main trailhead for the Huckleberry Trail from the visitor center, drive toward the campground and past the pavilion. After roughly 0.2 miles, the trailhead is on your left with a small parking area.

There are also two other trailheads for alternate starting points

The Hike – Trailhead to Springfield Road

From here, you will take the loop clockwise.

As you begin your hike, you pass several trail intersections. The Gold Creek Trail is a short 0.13 spur that exits and returns back into the Huckleberry Trail.

The Cabin Trail also leaves from the Huckleberry Trail and ends at the historic Woolly Cabin. It is 0.6 miles in total.

The Huckleberry Trail begins with a gradual climb. After you pass the trail intersections, it drops down a little into the valley and crosses the creek.

The trail then slowly climbs out of the valley, and (especially during leaf-off) you begin to get glimpses of the campground and lake below. It then hugs the contours of the hillside and heads west into the wilderness.

At mile 1.15, the trail crosses Historic Springfield Road Trail. There are two fences you walk through to separate the hiking trail from the mountain biking trail.

Springfield Road to Woolly Hollow Road Crossing

After you cross the Historic Springfield Road, the trail takes you across a beautiful creek. Then it climbs a little along the hill.

This portion of the trail gives you gorgeous views of the creek below. You can see it get larger, as you approach where it flows into Lake Bennett.

The trail can be a bit confusing in this area because the blazes switch colors from blue to red. Apparently, this loop used to be two different trails.

Around mile 1.5, the creek turns into Lake Bennett, and you begin to get beautiful views of the lake. For the next 0.4 miles, the trail follows the lake high above the shore.

At mile 1.8, there is a lovely bench for you to take a rest and enjoy the wonderful views of the lake and park.

Just a little farther at mile 1.9, there is a short spur trail to another bench and the lakeshore below. This is a great place to take a break.

From there, the trail follows along the ridge for just a short way. Here you get views of the earthen dam of Lake Bennett.

The trail then drops down into the valley below the dam. As it does, it passes a seasonal spillway (making a waterfall) for the lake which is very scenic during wet times.

The trail continues to a different trailhead near the entrance of the park at mile 2.2.

Road Crossing to End

The Huckleberry Trail crosses Woolly Hollow Road and climbs to the top of a ridge.

In this part, the trail continues through the hardwood forest. The trail gets close to the park boundary, and you get views through the trees of meadows from private land which is really pretty.

The woods are nice and open, and toward the top of the ridge, you get more glimpses of the lake.

Around mile 2.6, the trail begins to drop back down into the valley and to the road below.

Walking the Road Back

The Huckleberry Trail officially ends at mile 2.8, where it intersects with the road. From here you walk along the road toward the visitor center.

At mile 3.05 you can see the history of Woolly Cabin. Take the short spur trail for an up close and personal look at it. It’s really neat to be able to see how people lived 150 years ago.

After you’ve explored the cabin, continue along the road – past the pavilion – and back to the trailhead.

Final Notes

Generally, the trail was easy to follow and in good condition.

Most of these photos are from my December 25, 2021 hike.

Woolly Hollow State Park offers many other fun outdoor activities, including fishing, kayaking, and mountain biking.

Photo Gallery

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Map

[A version of this post was originally published on January 13, 2022 in the blog “Right Kind of Lost.”]

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The Green Heron Trail at DeGray Lake Resort State Park (near Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia) is a scenic roughly mile-long lollipop loop.

It begins behind the Visitor Center and is a nice wide, flat path that is great for viewing wildlife.

Getting to Green Heron Trailhead

To get there from Interstate 30, take Exit 78 and head north on Highway 7 for about 6 miles.

Then take a left on Edgewood Drive. After about 300 feet, take another left onto State Park Road and follow the signs to the visitor center.

On the Trail

You begin by walking from the mowed yard of the Visitor Center into the thick forests of the Ouachitas. It kind of has the feel of a children’s book where you walk into another world.

You will immediately pass a pond to your left. When I hiked the trail, it was covered in a green algae film, that was quite pretty.

Shortly after you pass the pond, you cross a bridge and get your first glimpse of the lake. This a great place to keep your eyes out for wildlife and waterfowl.

At mile 0.2, you come to an intersection. This is the end of the “stick” of the lollipop loop.

There is a sign that points you toward the right to complete the trail. However, if you choose to go to the left, you will end up back at the same spot.

After you make a right at the intersection, the trail heads back toward the lake and follows it pretty closely for a little bit.

At mile 0.3 there’s a spur trail to the right to a watchable wildlife station where you can hike and view the wildlife that calls DeGray Lake home. There are some very nice views of the lake here.

Once you complete the spur trail, make a right to finish out the trail.

Right around the half-mile point, there is another intersection with a trail going toward the left. This is a shortcut trail that will take you back to the trailhead. I chose to not take it so I could finish the trail.

The trail gets close to the lake again and you can see it through the trees. When I was there some of the woodlands were flooded, and it was really pretty.

At mile 0.6 the trail seems to end at the edge of the woods and the dike on the road. This area was difficult to follow because the red blazes just ended. There were no more markers or beaten paths to follow.

I took a guess and hiked through the high grass of the road’s right-of-way, which is how the trail goes.

Around mile 0.75 (about 0.1 miles along the grassy area), there is a sign pointing you back in the forest to complete the trial.

At mile 0.8 you intersect with the shortcut trail. You will want to go to the right here to get back to the trailhead.

You will quickly come back to the first intersection where you will want to turn right to finish and hike along the “stick” of the lollipop look to finish out the trail.

Final Notes

The total length of the hike is about .9 miles. It is an easy hike with no more than 40 feet or so of elevation change.

These photos are from my April 25, 2020 hike.

Photo Gallery

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Map

[A version of this post was originally published on April 30, 2020 in the blog “Right Kind of Lost.”]

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The Island Trail at DeGray Lake Resort State Park (near Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia) is a great 1-mile hiking trail. It is an easy and scenic walk with some great views of the lake and little elevation change.

Getting to the DeGray Lake Resort State Park Lodge

The Island Trail starts next to the lodge. To get there from Interstate 30, head toward Caddo Valley and take Exit 78. Then go north on Highway 7 for about 8 miles. The park will be on your left.

Once in the park, follow the signs to the lodge. The Island Trailhead is near the west end of the lodge. There is a sign.

The Trail

The trail starts just to the right of the lodge. It is a well-marked forested trail with orange blazes.

After about 0.1 miles, you will cross a service road. Once you reenter the woods, the trail immediately splits. This is the loop part of the lollipop, so it doesn’t matter which way you go. I chose to go to the right (counterclockwise).

Around mile 0.2, the trail turns and follows along the lakeshore, along the edge of the island. It gives you nice glimpses of the lake while hiking under a thick canopy of trees.

At mile 0.5, there is a spur trail to the right that takes you down to a nice rocky beach and wide-open lake. This is a great place to picnic or take a long break. In the summertime, it will be a nice place to cool off in the lake.

Follow the spur trail back to the Island Trail and go right to finish out the loop. From here, the trail follows the lakeshore pretty closely, and there are few other spots you can stop and enjoy the lake.

At mile 0.9 you finish the loop and rejoin the “stick” of the lollipop. From there go right, cross the road again and finish out the trail.

Final Notes

These photos are from my April 25, 2020 hike except for the last one which Mike Newman took on September 26, 2015. Mike reports that he had good AT&T cell signal on his hikes there in 2015 and 2018.

DeGray Lake Resort State Park is in Clark and Hot Spring Counties.

Photo Gallery

Click below for full-screen photo gallery.

Map

[A version of this post was originally published on April 30, 2020 in the blog “Right Kind of Lost.”]

Last revised: 2-9-2022.

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