Hot Springs National Park may be the only national park in The Natural State, but the National Park Service operates a few other parks within the state. These parks include a national river, memorial, military park, trail and – historic sites. Most recently, Zach, nephew… Read More »Exploring Arkansas Post National Memorial
Arkansas has several long-distance trails, with the longest ones being the Ouachita Trail and the Ozark Highlands Trail. But if you cannot take two to three weeks off from work or simply don’t have the energy to thru-hike, there are many lovely trailheads along the… Read More »Ouachita Trail – Section Nine
Have you ever had a trip that didn’t go as planned, but you ended up having a wonderful time anyway? That is how this last weekend went for me and my friends at Richland Creek. I also had to eat crow because I swore my… Read More »Lost at Richland Creek
If you are looking for an awesome day hike within a short distance of Hot Springs National Park, it is not hard to find a trail. You can narrow it down by what you want to see, like a waterfall, the lake, beautiful woods, or… Read More »Hiking the Charlton Trail
Boxley Valley in the Buffalo National River is one of the most picturesque places in Arkansas. Between the natural beauty and historic charm of the area, it is one of my favorite places to hike in Arkansas. The Buffalo River Trail begins here in Boxley… Read More »BRT – Boxley Valley to Steel Creek
Taking on the Athens-Big Fork Trail If you are up for a challenge, or umm maybe death march, you need to try the Athens-Big Fork Trail. I have been told this 10.5-mile trek located in southwest Arkansas is the hardest hiking trail in state. I… Read More »Athens-Big Fork – hardest trail in Arkansas
One of my favorite hikes around the Hot Springs, Ark., area is the Caddo Bend Trail at Lake Ouachita State Park. This four-mile loop showcases the beauty of the forest that blankets the Ouachita Mountains. It also showcases the beauty of Lake Ouachita. The Caddo… Read More »Hiking the Caddo Bend Trail
Last year I wrote a blog post called Hometown Hikes, where I wrote about trails inside or right outside Hot Springs, Ark. But if you are looking to expand a little further out of Hot Springs, here are three trails that are about an hour’s… Read More »Hot Springs hikes – about a one hour’s drive
Part of the reason I love the Arkansas State Parks systems so much is that it does a great job of showcasing each ecosystem the state offers. In Cane Creek State Park you get two ecosystems in one – the Arkansas Mississippi River delta and… Read More »Cane Creek State Park – adventurer’s guide
If you have seen pictures of Arkansas, you have probably seen pictures of Whitaker Point. The scenic spot, also known as Hawksbill Crag, is probably the most iconic picture of The Natural State. A great book and trail guide for this area is Tim Ernst’s… Read More »Arkansas staples – Glory Hole, Whitaker Point
The White Zone segment of the Iron Mountain Trail System, a great newbie trail Arkansas offers numerous gorgeous mountain biking trails and is an excellent state for the hobby. The Iron Mountain Trail System near Degray Lake in Caddo Valley is one of the best.… Read More »Iron Mountain Trail System – white zone
Lazy float and lounging at Buffalo Point The hot and steamy summer of Arkansas drives many outdoor enthusiasts to the water. A great place to dip into a cool mountain stream to beat the summer heat is Buffalo Point. Located on the lower section of… Read More »Buffalo Point Trip
The Little Missouri River in the Ouachita Mountains in southwest Arkansas is my favorite area – anywhere. Several trails snake through the area with spectacular scenery, but the Winding Stairs segment of the Little Missouri Trail is my favorite. The Little Missouri Trail is a… Read More »Winding Stairs – Little Missouri River
The Buffalo National River is more than a wild and scenic river. The area offers numerous gorgeous hiking trails to explore on foot if you are tired of floating, or simply want to hike. The Ponca Wilderness is a jaw-dropping area to be seen on… Read More »Ponca Wilderness – Centerpoint to Compton
The Buffalo National River, located in northwest Arkansas, is the first river to be designated a national river. It is also the one of the few undammed rivers in the lower 48 states and is managed by the National Park Service. Because of this the… Read More »Kayaking – Buffalo National River
One of my favorite day hikes around Hot Springs is the Hunt’s Loop Trail in the Ouachita National Forest. The 4.3-mile-hike takes you straight up Short Mountain to a gorgeous vista and then through some of the most beautiful woods along the ridge of the… Read More »Hiking Hunt’s Loop Trail
Before hiking the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail, the furthest I had ever hiked continuously was about 20 miles, a one-night backpacking trip in Montana. I asked my brother, Jacob, who is a teacher, if he wanted to do a backpacking trip with me during spring… Read More »Gotta LOViT – the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail
Several people have commented to me how Arkansas has such wonderful state parks. And the parks in the Arkansas State Parks system are definitely the best I have visited throughout the country. Between the interpretive programs and wide variety of activities they offer, helpful staff,… Read More »Arkansas State Parks to check out
Bayou DeView Water Trail offers beautiful kayaking The Arkansas Water Trails program is a fun excursion for the outdoor adventurer in Arkansas. As part of the educational programs with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, the trails are located throughout the state along rivers, streams,… Read More »Winter kayaking in the bayou
A soggy socked start to the new year Last New Year’s Eve was the first holiday that I went to bed before midnight since I have been old enough to stay up to ring in the new year. Zach and I decided to spend the… Read More »Big Brushy Trail Complex
Summiting Arkansas’ highest mountain I believe anyone who loves big mountains and lives in Arkansas needs to at least once hike bottom to the top of the state’s highest mountain, Mount Magazine. My brother, Jacob, and I had planned to hike another trail, but after… Read More »Hiking Mount Magazine bottom to top
Brush Heap Mountain is located on the Athens-Big Fork Trail, which is one of the hardest trails to tackle in the Ouachita Mountains. Most trails follow the ridges of the Ouachitas, located in southwest Arkansas, which run east to west. The ABF, however, is a… Read More »Hiking Brush Heap Mountain
Hot Springs, a great place to take a hike One aspect of my hometown, Hot Springs, Ark., that I love so much is that we are so close to hiking trails. They vary in lengths and sites, provide a getaway for any mood. Some trails… Read More »Hometown hikes
One of my favorite things in life is getting together with my whole family. In addition my parents, I have a brother and sister, and now that we are grown, a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law. I also have a 13-year-old nephew. It’s not that often… Read More »Labor Day and Fancy Hot Dogs
There is something so peaceful about being on the water. The slow lapping of the small waves on the lake shore combined with the blue water can lower your blood pressure and wash away your worries. When I first began to go alone up to… Read More »Lake Ouachita and me