Regional Trails & Parks

Hot Springs is home to a versatile trail system with o erings for riders of all ages and skill levels. Take a quick one-mile scenic loop or push yourself on one of our beginner to intermediate trails. For hardcore riders, Hot Springs has three IMBA Epic Rides, ranging from the heart-pumping 33-mile Womble Trail to the grueling 108-mile Ouachita National Recreational Trail. Hot Springs was designated as an IMBA Bronze-level Ride e Coronado Fitness Trail is a new, winding trail that connects the Coronado Fitness Center Center in 2015. Whatever level you’re on, take your ride to the next one in Hot Springs. Download maps and learn more: Hotsprings.org. and the Coronado RV Park along the Lake IMBA EPIC BIKE TRAILS Pineda Spillway owing into Lake Coronado. Trailhead parking areas are available at the LOVitTrail Fitness Center. 1 mile. Trail Rating: Easy

IMBA, Lake Ouachita Vista Trail 45 Miles, Skill Level: Intermediate

is hiking and mountain-biking trail winds along the southern shore of Lake Ouachita. e serenely picturesque trail o ers superb ridge-top riding. ough scenic, the LOViT trail travels up, down, and along mountain slopes, rolling through mixed hardwood and pine forests at an invigorating and moderately challenging pace. In the nal 35-mile stretch, which includes the trek from Mountain Harbor to Hickory Nut Mountain, the ride is steep and strenuous, but the top rewards the adventure with breathtaking views of Lake Ouachita.

Ouachita National Recreation Trail

EPICS designation denotes Boyle Park a true backcountry riding experience: immersive rides that are technically and physically challenging, beautiful to behold, and worthy of celebration. The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is the worldwide leader in mountain bike advocacy, and the only organization in the U.S. focused entirely on trails and access for all types of mountain bikers in all parts of the country.

IMBA, 213.9 Miles, Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced

is 108-mile stretch between the Talimena Scenic Byway and the Scenic 7 Byway (north of Hot Springs, near Mena) is the longest biking trail in Arkansas. It is a hiking trail which allows mountain biking through remote sections of the Ouachita Mountains. ere are rugged trail surfaces, and some are hike-a-bike, but also rideable climbs with some exhilarating downhill sections. Popular bike climbs on the trail include Big Brushy, Blowout Mountain, and Irons Fork. e trail also connects with the Womble Trail, another IMBA Epic. is area is used as part of the Ouachita Challenge Mountain Bike Race.

Among trails, the Womble is considered the jewel of the Ouachita Mountains. WombleTrail e composition of Womble Trail is mostly loose rock with occasional areas of hard-packed dirt. ere are IMBA, 33 Miles, Skill Level: vast opportunities for climbing, and a few of the Intermediate climbs are steep and sustained, especially as you get closer to the Ouachita Trail on the north half of the Womble. e downhills o er extreme thrills. ere are small creek crossings that are easy to cross, and larger creeks with bridges, so they do not present overlychallenging obstacles. e Womble trail is also the key element of the annual Ouachita Challenge and Womble Classic Mountain Bike Race.

Caddo BendTrail

4 Miles, Skill Level: Intermediate e trail is splashed with large boulder gardens, scenic views, and an observation deck that overlooks the lake at the end of the point. e trail originates near the park amphitheater and circles the entire peninsula back to the beginning. e rst half of the trail is rocky, and the terrain is a series of up and down plateaus. e second half is smoother with some moderate inclines. Cedar GladesTrail

10 Miles, Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced e Cedar Glades Park Loop is extremely fast with several technical descents. One long climb is lled with switchbacks, which are roughly 4% grade or more in some sections. e trail contains numerous creek crossings graced with plenty of rocks and moderate sized root systems. e last major climb is short, but it can be traversed quickly. Once at the top, the descent is extremely fast. Learn more on AllTrails.com

Cedar Creek Greenway

e Coronado Fitness Trail is a new, winding trail that connects the Coronado Fitness Center 3.9 miles, Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate and the Coronado RV Park along the Lake

Pineda Spillway owing into Lake Coronado. Trailhead parking areas are available at the Fitness Center. 1 mile. Trail Rating: Easy Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail is a scenic and spectacular trail located near Hot Springs National Park. e trail features a river and is good for all skill levels. e trail also o ers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

Boyle Park Dam MountainTrail

3.6 miles, Skill Level: Intermediate e Dam Mountain Trail at Lake Catherine State Park (Hot Spring County, near Hot Springs) o ers scenery of every kind. e trail has a thick forest, spectacular mountain top glades, deep valleys, crystal streams (including a waterfall), and of course, the lake. e Dam Mountain Trail takes visitors through all of these beautiful features for a diverse and beautiful hike with great views of the lake, streams, and Falls Creek Falls.

Dead ChiefTrail

2.7 miles, Skill Level: Intermediate is trail, located near Hot Springs National Park, o ers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. is route starts out steeply but quickly levels out for a pleasant journey. Along the way, visitors can enjoy meandering through the pine and hardwood forest while listening to warblers in the trees. e trail skirts the main ridge of Hot Springs Mountain, and the route is non-technical.

Entergy ParkTrail

1 Mile, Skill Level: Beginner

Boyle Park Entergy Park o ers nine trails, both o -road and paved, Friendship Loop Trail the majority under one mile in distance. It is an Need copy excellent biking destination for beginners as the trails are not strenuous, and the views are extraordinary. ere are also hiking trails, shing spots, playgrounds, and a scenic overlook. It is considered one of Arkansas’ premier family-friendly biking destinations.

Friendship LoopTrail

0.8 Mile, Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Friendship Loop Trail o ers the chance to see abundant wildlife and is a scenic and exhilarating trail for all skill Burns Park levels. ere is a shing pond, beautifully constructed bridges, and interpretive signs along the trail’s edge. e trail also o ers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. e trail is perfect for families or anyone needing a quick escape through the woods. e trail is dog friendly, but dogs must be kept on leashes.

Boyle Park

Jessieville AR

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Iron MountainTrail

24 Miles, Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Iron Mountain features some of the best-groomed mountain bike trails in the Natural State. Overall, the trails are fairly smooth with a limited infusion of short technical sections. e orange and blue loops are wide-open and wind along the hillsides on the shores of DeGray Lake. e newer green and yellow routes on the south side of Skyline Drive o er some exhilarating descents that make the somewhat strenuous climbs to get up top well worth the e ort.

Northwoods Trail 26 Miles, Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced

Experience spectacular world-class mountain bike trails located only ve minutes from downtown Hot Springs. e Northwoods system includes Green, Blue, and Black single track, multi-track, ow trails, jump lines, and the Lucky 13 expert section. e Cedar Glades trailhead includes a bike skills park. Northwoods is home to the annual Gudrun MTB Festival each November that attracts bikers, hikers, and trail runners.

is trail has small gravel and packed dirt that make the trail a favorite for locals that like to do a bit of hiking. It's an easy trail with a slight grade but with good trail coverings. ere are a number of hollow den trees on the trail that give shelter to forest animals. Both sections of West Mountain Trail have gradual change in elevation. West Mountain Trail can be made into a loop by using Mountain Top Trail.

West Mountain Trail 1.9 Miles, Skill Level: Intermediate Intermediate

Boyle Park

BIKING TRAILS IN LITTLE ROCK Arkansas River Trail

A rkansasRiver

Lake Maumelle

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10 40

Lake Conway

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630 Little Rock

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ROUTE

Arkansas RiverTrail 67

16 Miles, Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced

ROUTE

67 e original Arkansas River Trail is a 16-mile loop between the Big Dam Bridge and the downtowns of Little Rock and North Little Rock starting on either side of the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge. e Two Rivers Park Bridge extends the Arkansas River Trail 34 miles to Pinnacle Mountain State 40 40 Park in west Pulaski County. Walkers, cyclists, skaters, and joggers all enjoy the trail and its beautiful surroundings.

Experienced cyclists use the Arkansas River Trail System “Grand Loop” that extends through Faulkner and Perry Counties to form a spectacular 88.5-mile loop.

Boyle Park 9.3 Miles, Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate Located in Little Rock, this trail series consists of three trails. e south section is shorter with a pleasant climb as well as a few intermediate spots. e north nature trail has plenty of switchback climbs that traverse up and down hill. e west section is signi cantly less demanding. All trails contain numerous small rocks and roots making rides slightly more technical.

Burns Park 7.3 Miles, Skill Level: Intermediate Burns Park MTB Trail is a 7.3-mile heavily tra cked loop trail located near North Little Rock that o ers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as intermediate. e trail is a long and continuous loop and has a variety of terrain. Bikers can expect to experience an easy, smooth single-track to rock gardens as well as short and steep climbs. While this trail has easy sections, overall, it is an intermediate trail and not for true beginners. ere is a nice overlook of the quarry/golf course on the south side.

Harper's Loop 37 Miles, Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced

is 37-mile road ride o ers a at scenic ride into some classic Arkansas Delta areas. Harper’s Loop is a classic central Arkansas route. It is a picturesque adventure loop that whisks by some of the state’s nest farmland. e level terrain is graced by rows of cotton, corn, rice, and soybeans. is route is well-suited for everyone, from those just starting to hone their skills to those cyclists who want to perfect their pace-line skills.

SoutheastTrail

37 Miles, Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

e Coronado Fitness Trail is a new, winding trail that connects the Coronado Fitness Center and the Coronado RV Park along the Lake Pineda Spillway owing into Lake Coronado. Trailhead parking areas are available at the Fitness Center. 1 mile. Trail Rating: Easy e Southeast Trail is a picturesque local ride in downtown Little Rock. e trail formalized a long-time route commonly known as the "Airport Loop." e trail is at with varied scenery and, best of all, little vehicle tra c. Fun places along the route to relax post-ride include Lost Forty Brewing, Rebel Kettle Brewing, e Rail Yard, or Cathead's Diner! Kettle Brewing, e Rail Yard, or Cathead's Diner! 37 Miles, Skill Level: Beginner Beautiful lake views, gentle rollers, and a heartpounding hill climb await you on the 37-mile Lake Maumelle Loop, one of the best tours of Central Arkansas, and one of the best ways to experience Wye Mountain. e climb circles Lake Maumelle near Pinnacle Mountain State Park, then climbs approximately 500 feet before a descent downhill that is pure exhilaration for three miles. A scenic ride year-round, it’s particularly pretty in the springtime when the da odils are in bloom.

Boyle Park Wye Mountain Loop

Birds of Arkansas

Look for: Downy Woodpecker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-Headed Woodpecker, and Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

Take a Ride!

Adventureworks

Ready for a great adventure? Make Adventureworks, in Hot Springs Adventure Park, your destination for fun. Try zip-lining to experience a bird’s-eye view of the scenic Ouachita landscape.

Zip Tours include 10 zip lines and are approximately 1-1/2 hours in length. Zipping is a thrilling adventure and off ers a spectacular bird’seye view of nature’s majestic beauty! Zippers sail through the air on steel cables, secured in a safety harness, and attached to a zip pulley system. Th ere are several zip-lining experiences to choose from. Th e Canopy Zip Tour takes you deep in the forest alongside a tributary creek that feeds Lake Catherine. Th e Aerial Adventure includes a 16-element challenge course full of swinging bridges, hanging vines, cargo nets, and much more.

Th e annual Haunted Forest Zip tour takes place in October, precisely the time when local legend claims that ghosts visit Hot Springs in search of a cure from the magical spring waters that fl ow from the earth into Hot Springs.

Hot Springs Adventure Park at Catherine’s Landing RV Resort, 1700 Shady Grove Road, Hot Springs, AR, 71901, 501-262-9182, AdventureWorks.com

Arkansas Riding Stables

Treat your family to a horseback ride at Arkansas Riding Stables. Arrive a few minutes early and watch the staff feed, brush, and saddle the horses. You will probably even get to pet them! Th e horses are calm and receptive to both adults and children, and the hour-long ride through the scenic forest, which has a beautiful wooded trail and a spectacular view of DeGray Lake, is tranquil and thoroughly enjoyable.

1641 State Park Entrance Road, Bismarck, AR 71929, 501-865-2820

Mountain Harbor Riding Stables

Mountain Harbor Riding Stables off er scenic trail rides through the beautiful Ouachita National Forest and carriage rides through Mountain Harbor Resort. Th e stables provide a family friendly environment, so everyone can come out to enjoy a trail ride. Th e guided ride through the majestic Ouachita Mountains highlights the splendor of wildlife, as well as the most spectacular scenery that is so unique to the Natural State.

722 Mountain Harbor Road, Mount Ida, AR 71957, 870-867-3022, MountainHarborRidingStable.com

Harper's Loop 37 Miles, Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced

The 52 state parks in Arkansas are diverse in the beauty and recreational opportunities offered for all who visit! There are rocky mountains, beautiful wetlands, crystal clear lakes and streams, and serene hollows. State parks have no entry fees, and offer beautiful overnight facilities and accommodations, including magnificent lodges, quaint cabins, and a variety of campsites, historic battlefields, museums, and visitor centers. The Natural State is unparalleled in its beauty—and the state parks are representative of all that Arkansas has to offer.

Ouachita National Forest

Established in 1907, Ouachita National Forest is the South's oldest and one of the largest national forests. The Ouachita National Forest covers 1.8 million acres in central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. Headquartered in Hot Springs, the vast and magnificent forest is managed for timber and wood production. It is a large habitat for wildlife and fish species including those threatened and endangered ones.

The Forest has over a dozen recreation areas including Albert Pike, Shady Lake, and Charlton that offer campsites, fishing areas, picnic sites, and hiking trails. Visitors also enjoy swimming, hunting, fishing, mountain bike trails, all-terrain vehicle trails, and equestrian trails. The Ouachita National Forest offers a variety of camping opportunities—cabin rentals, RV camping, group camping, and campground camping. Hot Springs, AR 71902, 501-321-5202, Fs.usda.gov/main/ouachita/home

Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Located just west of Little Rock, Pinnacle Mountain is a dayuse park that offers a variety of adventure on the Big and Little Maumelle Rivers. Inside the wonder and beauty of the Arkansas Arboretum, there are 15+ miles of trails, including 7 miles of challenging mountain bike trails, as well as easy trails. Both the Arkansas Arboretum Trail and the Kingfisher Trail are great for family walks, and leashed dogs are welcome too!

Visitors can hike to the top, explore the rivers, or take in one of the numerous interpretive programs offered by park staff. Pinnacle Mountain is the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful and scenic picnic, or to host a larger gathering in one of the pavilions that are available to reserve. 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road, Little Rock, AR 72223, 501-868-5806 https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/pinnacle-mountain-state-park

DeGray Lake Resort Park

Near Hot Springs and Little Rock, this resort state park is located on the shores of beautiful DeGray Lake. Visitors enjoy first class lodging and amenities as well as outdoor adventure and fun throughout the year. DeGray Lake Resort has a 96-room lodge that offers spectacular views of Lake DeGray. The lodge includes a heated swimming pool, indoor hot tub, fitness room, and the lodge’s Shoreline Restaurant boasts a full menu and banquet catering services.

Additional lodging options include 81 Class B campsites, three Rent-A-Yurts, and an 18-hole championship golf course with driving range, practice green, and pro-shop. The full-service marina has bait and tackle, fuel, and boat rentals that include party barges, kayaks, and pedal boats. There is also disc golf, swimming, tennis, hiking trails, guided horseback riding, and world class mountain hiking trails nearby. Swimming beaches, pavilions, bicycle rentals, and an amphitheater add to the luxury of this scenic resort park. 2027 State Park Entrance Road, Bismarck, AR 71929, 501-865-5850 https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/degray-lake-resort-state-park

Lake Catherine State Park

This beautiful and peaceful park is located on Lake Catherine, one of five lakes in the beautiful Ouachita Mountain region. There is a full-service marina that is open in the summertime for bait, snacks, drinks, and fuel. Boat rentals are available year-round. The park also includes a launch ramp, pavilion, picnic sites, playgrounds, and a well-marked trail that leads to a scenic waterfall.

There are many native stone and wood buildings on-site—the history of these structures dates back to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The park has 20 fully equipped cabins, including one two-bedroom cabin with a patio overlooking the water and private access to the lake from its own fishing pier. The park offers 70 campsites (47 Class AAA and 23 Class B), six primitive tent sites, one Rent-A-Camp, and one Rent-A-Yurt. Park interpreters offer hikes, lake tours, and programs year-round. Additionally, guided horseback rides are offered seasonally. 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913, 501-844-4176 https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/lake-catherine-state-park

Lake Ouachita State Park

The Natural State’s largest lake, Lake Ouachita, contains 40,000 acres of clear, clean water surrounded by the scenic and majestic Ouachita National Forest. Visitors to Lake Ouachita State Park enjoy swimming, skiing, scuba diving, boating, and kayaking. Truly a fisherman’s paradise, bream, crappie, catfish, striped bass, and largemouth bass can be caught in open waters or serene coves.

Lake Ouachita State Park offers a variety of day-use areas and overnight accommodations. The park has 93 campsites (58 Class AAA, 23 Class D, and 12 walk-in tent sites). There are eight fully equipped cabins with kitchens, and most of them overlook the lake. Additionally, there are four camper cabins located on the campground which include one room sleeping for four, heat/air, a screened porch, and a picnic table with grill. There is a family-style bathhouse nearby that is one large private room with a shower, sink, and toilet that is perfect for families with small children. The Caddo Bend Trail and Historic Three Sisters’ Springs are also in the park.

5451 Mountain Pine Road, Mountain Pine, AR 71956, 501-767-9366 https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/lake-ouachita-state-park