Hiking Trail

[gichad128]

Where is a good hiking trail that would be suitable for maybe an overnight hike or possibly 2 nights. I would like to get into hiking/backpacking in the northern half of the state.

thanks for your input!

[headhunter_60]

the buffalo river has a lot of hiking and horseback trails but im not sure the length of them all since i mainly canoe the river

[bird dog]

Tim Earnest has a good book on the Ozark Highland Trail which has many options. The Buffalo trail system has many options also.
I am Mainly an Ouachita trail hiker with a few short day trips on the OHT and Buffalo.

[gichad128]

I was looking at maybe doing something around the Barkshed area. I've camped there before and enjoyed the area. Maybe hike there, spend the night, and hike back? I'm just not sure where to start.

[pluckyduk]

Buy Tim Ernst's book Arkansas Hiking Trails and it will tell you everything you need to know about the trails. This book really got me into hiking, even did one overnight hike on the Buffalo from Steel Creek to Kyles Landing one time. I like the overnight hikes but just can't find room for my cooler with the beer!

[Dr. Death]

Originally Posted by gichad128

I was looking at maybe doing something around the Barkshed area. I've camped there before and enjoyed the area. Maybe hike there, spend the night, and hike back? I'm just not sure where to start.

Not really a lot to see on Barkshed IMO.

[gichad128]

Originally Posted by Dr. Death

Not really a lot to see on Barkshed IMO.

Well where do you recommend then?

[Dr. Death]

Originally Posted by gichad128

Well where do you recommend then?

I've only hunted up and down Barkshed. Gunner Pool might be a good place to start, other than that I'm not sure if there is any designated campsites on the North end of Sylamore.

[FroMan]

The Ozark Highlands Trail is a good one to hike. It goes across southern Newton and Northern Pope Counties I know for sure, because I've hiked it. You can find caves to camp in along the way and if it's squirrel season, toting a 22 or shotgun can make for a good hunt as well. It passes through Hurricane Creek Wilderness Area and Richland Creeks. You can go east or west on it and it's a 2 or 3 day hike depending on how fast you want to do it.

It is fairly mountainous, but last time I hiked it with Sartorious we had a good time.

You can find maps of it online and download them. I do suggest taking a compass or GPS. You don't wanna get lost in those woods.

[bird dog]

I think that Moore Outdoors in Dover will do shuttles on the OHT.

[arelk]

+1 on the Ozark H Trail. Haven't been on it in the past 15 years but I hiked a lot of it during turkey season with some success.

[shootemup]

Originally Posted by pluckyduk

Buy Tim Ernst's book Arkansas Hiking Trails and it will tell you everything you need to know about the trails. This book really got me into hiking, even did one overnight hike on the Buffalo from Steel Creek to Kyles Landing one time. I like the overnight hikes but just can't find room for my cooler with the beer!

they make plastic bottles of whiskey, you know?

[wascherrey]

The Butterfield Hiking Trail which starts and ends at Devil's Den State Park is a good beginner backpacking trail.