Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Trekking and Backpacking Travel Guide

Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Trekking and Backpacking Travel Guide

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Sunset over the Ozarks National Forest, Arkansas
The Ozarks, Arkansas (Dennis Flaherty/Photographer's Choice/Getty)
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Trekking and Backpacking Travel Tips

By Johnny Molloy

  • The Ozark Highlands Trail extends over 100 miles east-west across the Ozark National Forest and has it all: overlooks, waterfalls, rockhouses, and solitude. Abundant trailheads scattered throughout the forest make hikes of varied lengths possible.
  • Five wilderness areas offer exemplary Ozark terrain and get-away-from-it-all experiences. Hurricane Creek Wilderness offers a large loop trail; Richland Creek Wilderness has water features aplenty; and East Fork Wilderness is seldom visited. You can get lost for days in the Leatherwood Wilderness. And Upper Buffalo Wilderness presents Whitaker Point, one of Arkansas's most photographed places.
  • The 7.8-mile Spy Rock circuit makes for a good hike on a well-marked and well-maintained trail that leads to its worthy namesake destination. The outcrop offers superlative views, but this trek is as much about the journey as the destination, with its all-encompassing beauty and pioneer history.
  • Don't miss the Shores Lake Loop. It heads up White Rock Creek past waterfalls and then climbs up to White Rock, which offers 360-degree views for miles. After stopping for photo opportunities, head into the Salt Fork Valley, where some challenging ups and downs bring you back to Shores Lake.
  • Base out of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area, and explore the North Sylamore Trail, a 15-mile, one-way trail traveling through a gorgeous canyon full of clear water, springs, caves, and waterfalls.

Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Overview

Arkansas's northwestern corner is composed of a sea of lush green plateaus, interspersed with occasional faults and cracks, and the erosional scars of swift-flowing rivers. Here, in the Ozark portion of Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, the Boston Mountains present sheer-sided slopes and vertical bluffs of sandstone. Oak-hickory and scattered pine cover brushy undergrowth. In springtime, dogwoods and redbuds explode in a beautiful, lacy display of color. Read More

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Hotels

Shores Lake

Arkansas 215
Ozark, AR Map

Distance: 25.2 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Good For Trekking and Backpacking
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
5.0

Redding Campground

Ark 215 near Cass
Cass, AR Map

Distance: 15.5 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Good For Trekking and Backpacking
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
4.0
from: $86

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites HARRISON

117 HWY 43E
Harrison, AR 72601 Map

Distance: 39.3 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

Good For Trekking and Backpacking
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
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Attractions

Reading-Spy Rock Loop

expert favorite attraction
Good For Trekking and Backpacking
18 miles north of Ozark, off Arkansas Hwy. 23
Fayetteville, Arkansas

Distance: 13.5 mi. (from destination center)

Description: This 8.8-mile loop circles shady pine forest and waterfalls as it snakes toward Spy Rock and... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Hemmed-In Hollow Trail

Good For Trekking and Backpacking
Ponca Wilderness


Distance: 22.7 mi. (from destination center)
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
5_0

Indian Rockhouse Trail

Good For Trekking and Backpacking


Distance: 38.7 mi. (from destination center)
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
4_0
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Airports

Major Airports near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

Distance (mi.)
Tulsa International Airport 132.6 map
Memphis International Airport 209.1 map
Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport 229.8 map

Other Smaller Airports near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

Distance (mi.)
Fayetteville Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport 36.3 map
Harrison Boone County Airport 38.3 map
Fort Smith Municipal Airport 56.1 map

Feature Articles

More Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Trekking and Backpacking Feature Articles (5) »
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Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Vacation Rentals

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from: $1500

3 Bedroom VACATION HOME in MILWAUKEE, WI

Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 6
Amenities: Balcony, Cable/Satellite TV, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Lounge, No Pets, Outdoor Shower, Patio, TV
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from: $35

1 Bedroom VACATION HOME in MILWAUKEE, WI

Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 2
Amenities: Hot Tub, Internet Access, Swimming Pool, Wireless Internet Access
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from: $36

3 Bedroom VACATION HOME in MILWAUKEE, WI

Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 6
Amenities: Balcony, Garage, Lounge
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