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.

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Last revised: 1-18-2022.

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This is a pleasant and easy nature trail at Lake Dardanelle State Park in Russellville (Pope County). The trail (including the full loop) is just .8 miles.

There also are a couple of shortcuts that can be used to make a shorter hike (i.e., a smaller loop).

Getting to Meadowbrook Trail

To get to Lake Dardanelle State Park from the east, on l-40  take Exit 81 at Russellville, take Hwy. 7 south, then turn right on Hwy. 326, and it’s about 4 miles to the main park.

From the west on l-40, take Exit 78, turn left on U.S. 64. After 2 miles, turn right on Hwy. 326 and head on to the park.

The main trailhead is behind the park’s amphitheater. Just watch for the sign. There is parking nearby.

One of the interesting things to see on the trail is a wildlife watching deck close to the start of the trail on the left. Just after this is the start of the loop part of the trail.

There are a few small bridges along the trail.

At around .3 miles, you hit the south end of the loop where it curves and heads back toward the trailhead.

Final Notes

There is almost no elevation change on this trail. For a nonpaved trail, this is about as easy as it gets.

I had good AT&T cell coverage and the trail was in good condition when I was last there in August 2015.

These pics are from that visit to the trail.

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Map

Last revised 8-15-2021.

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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 was Bench Boulevard and served as a main route for residents living on the mountain.

My full trail profile is here.

These are some photos with autumn foliage I took on November 11-12, 2017.

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There are two unique loop hikes in the Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area in the Ozark National Forest (north Pope County). One of these is the 1.8-mile Kings Bluff Loop Trail.

This trail features great rock formations and spectacular overlooks. And during the wet season, you can see the 114-foot King Bluff Falls, one of the tallest in Arkansas.

Getting to Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area

To get to Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area, take Highway 7 to the community of Pelsor (28 miles north of Dover, and 28 miles south of Jasper). Turn east (left if coming from the north) onto Highway 16.

Stay on Highway 16 for 6 miles. Watch for the Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area sign on your right.

There is parking there and a pit toilet.

Kings Bluff Loop Trail

The trail heads out just behind the pit toilet and crosses a small bridge. Very quickly the trail splits. To the right is the Kings Bluff Loop, to the left is the return of the Kings Bluff Loop or the start of the Pedestal Rocks Loop. Take a right for Kings Bluff Loop.

The trail starts off into the wooded area and is on the level for a bit. Then eventually it starts to descend.

The trail winds through several switchbacks until eventually, at about .8 miles, it comes to a large (and I do mean large) rock bluff. This is Kings Bluff.

There is definitely more to see here than just the bluff, but be sure to check out the bluff for a while.

To the right is a creek that when the water is flowing well forms the spectacular Kings Bluff Falls off the bluff.

Note of caution: Be very careful around the numerous bluffs on the trail. A fall could be fatal or result in serious injury. 

There is a small fence here on the bluff, but it is more of a visual barrier than something that would prevent you from falling.

The view from here is pretty amazing — particularly during October when the leaves are turning.

From here, the trail takes continues to the left. It curls around the edge of the bluff and then turns to the right.

As you make the turn, there is an unofficial path that heads to the bottom of the bluff that you can follow if the water is really flowing and you want to see the waterfalls from below. If the water is flowing well, there are 2 smaller waterfalls that can be seen below in addition to Kings Bluff Falls. We didn’t head down there on our most recent trip because there was very little water.

Eventually the trail splits. The branch to the left heads straight back into the woods. The one to the right continues along the bluff line. The right one is a much more scenic path, but  be very careful around the bluffs.

Along this stretch, there are a lot of cool rock formations and more great views.

Enjoy. Soak it in.

After following the bluff a little further, the trail will start to curl back into the woods and start to gradually head back up the hill.

At around 1.7 miles, the trail reaches a 4-way juncture. Taking a right or going straight will put you on the Pedestal Rocks Loop Trail.

Take a left to complete the Kings Bluff Loop Trail. The parking area is just another .1 miles from here.

Final Notes

As far as trail difficulty, I rate this one as moderate (3 of 5). The elevation change on the trail is nearly 300 feet.

Tim Ernst profiles this trail in his Arkansas Hiking Trails guidebook.

As for footwear, I recommend trail shoes or hiking boots.

The photos are from my hikes on December 2, 2013 and October 23, 2017, except for the waterfall pics which Mike Newman took on May 13, 2017.

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Map

[A version of this post was first published on December 21, 2013  on the blog “Exploring Northwest Arkansas.”]
Last revised: 9-21-2019.

The post Kings Bluff Loop Trail + Falls (Ozark Forest) – 2 mi appeared first on Arklahoma Hiker.