Take a hike — or just an easy walk! — this season
As we slide our way toward fall, we can hope against hope that the temperature outside backs off several notches from insufferable heat. If so, it’s time to get outside in the great outdoors and go for a hike.
Let’s see, for a proper hike, we need sturdy boots, bug spray, maybe a first-aid kit, a charged phone, several bottles of water, a backpack … um, OK, how about just a walk instead? Set aside those hiking dreams for a more ambitious day. What about a calming walk in a diverting environment that’s not the same old route around a neighborhood or a blander-than-bland oval gym track?
You are in luck, as Arkansas is The Natural State and, as such, is blessed with an impressive collection of state parks and walkable gardens. Even better, no single walk is the same due in large part to the diverse landscape of the state. Many of the areas have designated trails labeled as easy, with some of those meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. What does that mean? The trails are primarily flat and often paved. The bottom line is, if you are hankering for a stressless stroll through a pleasant environment, then lace up your shoes and get going.
Happy trails
In Northwest Arkansas, Rogers’ Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area stakes its claim as being Arkansas’ largest state park, with 12,054 acres sitting along the southern shore of Beaver Lake. Hobbs’ trail system is extensive, with 54 miles available for horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking and walking. Hobbs’ Ozark Plateau Trail is comprised of two concrete walking trails — a 1/4-mile inner loop and a 1/2-mile outer loop. The ADA-designated Plateau Trail is barrier-free.
What can a visitor expect to see when out on the Plateau Trail?
“There are no severe ups or downs on that trail,” says Syd Dettmer, a staff member at Hobbs State Park. “You’ll walk among short-leaf pine trees, oak trees and hickory trees.”
While the trail won’t take you into the deep, deep woods, you’ll be sharing space with a variety of critters.
“Walking on the trail, it’s common to see chipmunks and gray squirrels,” Dettmer says. “If you are lucky, you’ll see a white tail deer or a red fox. Occasionally there are snakes, but not often.”
In the southwestern corner of the state, the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro features the Little Missouri River Trail. One of the longer easy trails in a state park, the Little Missouri River Trail gives the visitor a 1.2-mile walk through the woods to an up-close view of the river. Half of the trail is paved and provides barrier-free access. The park touts the trail as the longest wheelchair-accessible trail in southwest Arkansas. Once you are done with the Little Missouri River Trail, you can step out to the Crater of Diamonds field and hopefully trip over a big, fat diamond. A person can dream, right?
Maybe you don’t want to or aren’t able to tackle a full mile of walking. Then set your GPS for Wynne and the Village Creek State Park in eastern Arkansas. While the park features 7,000 acres of forest and streams, including 33 miles of multiuse trails, the park’s Arboretum Trail is a brief, brisk detour of a 1/4 mile. If you don’t mind a little education with your walk, you can stop at the trees with identifying signs along the way. Might come in handy in your next trivia competition.
To the west, the Brushy Creek Natural Trail is in Wickes’ Cossatot River State Park – Natural Area and is where you can watch a river roll past. The easy 3/4-mile trail follows along a ridge top that sits above the confluence of Brushy Creek and the Cossatot River. There is also a steel walkway that crosses the river.
History is the name of the game at the Historic Townsite Trail in Davidsonville Historic State Park in northeast Arkansas. The 3/4-mile easy trail goes past the site of Arkansas Territory’s first post office, courthouse and federal land office. Twelve exhibits along the path inform about historic Davidsonville.
Hardcore nature buffs are perhaps best served by checking out Hot Springs’ Garvan Woodland Gardens, the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas. Garvan has 4.5 miles of trails and, though not all the paths through Garvan are flat, the designed waterfalls and beautiful flora on display make up for it. Garvan has an option for those who want to but can’t take another step — $20 gets you a golf cart ride.