One of the cool areas at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area (Benton County, near Rogers) is the Hidden Diversity Multi-Use Trail. This is a complex of loops and spurs designed for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians. Since it is designed for these multiples uses, it does not feature many steep parts.
One part of Hidden Diversity is the Dutton Hollow Loop, an enjoyable 4.1-mile moderately challenging hike with some nice views of (seasonally flowing) Blackburn Creek and many rolling hills and valleys.
Getting to Hidden Diversity Piney Road Trailhead
To start this hike you want to head to the Piney Road Trailhead. To get to Hobbs from Rogers, take Highway 12 and head east for about 10 miles.
Watch for Piney Road on your right (to the south). Turn here.
The trailhead parking is 2 paved lots about a mile down this road. You can park on either side. The trailhead is on the right (west) side.
The Trail
The trail is an initial .6-mile spur followed by a loop that’s about 2.9 miles (for a total hike of 4.1 miles).
As far as Arkansas trails go, this is not one with a lot of elevation change. In fact, close to half of it is fairly level with quite minor elevation variation.
The middle part of the hike which descends to and runs along Blackburn Creek has the most elevation change and during wet times is the most scenic. This part drops down close to 300 feet in elevation with a number of winding switchbacks. For me, the downhill/uphill parts are some of the most interesting and enjoyable of the hike.
Unfortunately, when I had my October hike, the creek was dry, but you could tell from the surrounding vegetation (moss, ferns) that it is frequently a wet area. There were also some interesting rock formations down in this area.
Most of the hike follows along the top of ridges, but there were quiet a few scenic views of the small valleys surrounding the trail.
Final Notes
The trail was in great condition on my October hike, and it was quite easy to follow.
There is an interesting spot near the end of the initial spur where the body of a really old pickup truck is about 100 feet from the trail.
These photos are all from my October 10, 2020 hike. There was some nice fall foliage that day. I had about 80% AT&T cell signal coverage on the hike.
Photo Gallery
Click below for full-screen photo gallery.
Map
Hobbs: Hidden Diversity - Dutton Hollow Loop | |
|---|---|
| Location | Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, Benton County, Arkansas |
| Hike Length/Type | The hike is a total of 4.1 miles. Most of it is a loop, but there is an initial spur of .6 miles. |
| Difficulty | Moderate (3 of 5). |
| Other Permitted Usage | Mountain bikes; Horses; Pets on a leash. |
| Gpx file by Mike | Link |
| Date Hiked | October 10, 2020 (and earlier) |
| Directions | Google Maps Directions to the Hobbs Hidden Diversity Trail Piney Trailhead |
| Official Info | (479) 789-5000 Website Official Hobbs Hidden Diversity Trail Brochure (pdf) |
Last revised: 11-28-2022.