There is nothing like the drama and beauty of a waterfall at flood stage!

Back on April 4, 2026, following a period of heavy rain, I headed up to northwest Crawford County, Arkansas, to check out Natural Dam Falls. This stunning 187-foot-wide natural rock wall spans the entirety of Mountain Fork Creek.

Typically, like here, you’ll just see some flow at just a few sections of the rock wall.

Not on this morning.

The recent downpours had caused the creek to be roaring! In fact, the volume of water completely covered the low-water bridge on Natural Dam Road just south of the falls.

 Since the road to get across was impassable in that area, I just stayed on the east side (closer to Highway 59).

These are some of the shots I got that morning.

Photo Gallery

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The Benefield West Loop Trail at Mount Magazine State Park is a pleasant and easy .9-mile wooded loop with little elevation change. There is a pond on the west end of the loop.

Mount Magazine is the highest mountain in Arkansas. It is near Paris in Logan County and is surrounded by the Magazine District of the Ozark National Forest.

Getting to the Benefield Picnic Area

To get to Mount Magazine State Park, you can take Highway 309 south from Paris. Highway 309 goes through downtown Paris. Follow the signs from downtown.

The park is about 17 miles from Paris.

If you’re coming from the south, head north on Highway 309 from Havana for about  10 miles.

The Benefield West Loop starts at the Benefield picnic area at the southeast area of the park. The trailhead is near the restrooms. (It is the same trailhead as for Bear Hollow Trail.)

The Hike

This is an easy well marked hike that is just under a mile. Start at the trailhead near the restrooms. The first part of the hike is basically just a walk on a dirt road. At about .1 miles, you would turn right and go downhill for the Bear Hollow Trail or Benefield East Loop. Stay straight to continue on this loop.

At close to .2 miles, there is a right spur to a different part of the Bear Hollow Trail. This spur joins that trail a little to the west of Inspiration Point. But for this hike, continue straight.

At around .5 miles, the trail reaches the first crossing of Highway 309. On the other side of the highway, the trail goes uphill slightly as it approaches a small pond, presumably made by earlier settlers.

At the pond (about .6 miles), you would turn right for the Mossback Ridge Trail. Take a left to continue on this loop.

There are no vista views on this trail but during leaf-off there are places on the trail where you can see some of the valleys in the distance through the trees. This is one of those areas.

At about .7, you reach the highway again, near the entrance for the Benefield Picnic Area. Cross the highway, and walk up the road back to where you started at the picnic area.

Final Notes

Elevation change: About 50 feet.

Trail condition: The trail was well marked and in very good condition when I hiked it on November 26, 2021. These photos are from that hike.

AT&T Cell coverage: About 50%.

Photo Gallery

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Map

Last revised: 1-7-2022.

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Summit Park Trail at Mount Nebo State Park (Yell County, near Russellville) is a really cool trail. This hillside trail has lots of interesting rock formations–from rock gardens to massive boulders–as well as beautiful stone staircases, great views, and much more!

My girlfriend and I took a walk on the trail on an August afternoon. The temps were moderate at first due to some recent rain. It warmed quite a bit before we were done, but it was still a beautiful and enjoyable hike.

These are some pics from that hike.

My full trail review is here.

Photo Gallery

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Last revised: 1-18-2022.

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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 Chaffee.

Getting to Ben Geren Trailhead

Ben Geren Regional Park is on Zero Street (Hwy 255) in Fort Smith between Old Greenwood Road to the west and Massard Road to the east.

Once in the park, head toward the playground, then on toward the back of the park. The trailhead is about .7 miles past the playground (past the ball fields).

There is parking at the trailhead.

The Trail

The Paved Bike Trail a pretty easy path to follow. Most of it is wooded which makes it a scenic walk year-round.

The first .7 miles is a pretty easy gradual uphill walk. Then there is a steeper stretch for 1/3 mile that goes up 100 feet in elevation. (Be sure to take the curve to the right as it goes uphill.)

The trail high point is around 1 mile where the trail crosses a landfill access road.

From there the trail gradually winds downhill for another .9 miles to the intersection with Massard Road.

At about 1.7, there is a section that splits off to the right. I usually keep going straight.

At 1.9, the trail hits Massard Road. At this point, I turn around and head back.

There is less climbing on the return journey, but be prepared for some limited climbing as you head back toward the high point.

Final Notes

The entire walk is about 3.8 miles.

These photos are from November 2, 2019.

I had AT&T cell service on the whole trail.

Click here for the trail profile of the Ben Geren Fitness Course.

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Map

Last revised: 8-15-2021.

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