Join a cadre of volunteers to help improve the data on this trail. The trail is difficult. Become an Ambassador! The prime time to visit is from October through April. The Ozark Highlands Trail roams 218 miles (351 km) through parts of seven counties in northwest Arkansas. Get spectacular views along the way, and check out a historic site. The proposed route initially passed through 14 miles of wilderness area in the Buffalo National River park, and the National Park Service initially supported this route. It starts at Lake Fort Smith State Park and winds through Ozark National Forest to the Buffalo River. When complete, the OHT will run about 320 miles across northern Arkansas with the west end at Lake Fort Smith and the east end at the Missouri border north of Lake Norfork where it will someday connect to the Ozark Trail near Tecumseh MO. STAGE A covers the first 35 miles from Lake Fort Smith to Cherry Bend.This stage is broken into 2 day trips in September (sections 1 and 2) and 2 day trips in October (sections 3 and 4). The EAST map covers from Ozone (mile 85.1) to Woolum (mile 164) on the Buffalo River - Sections 5-8.The newest NORTH map covers from Woolum (mile 164) to Hwy. It also crosses White Rock Mountain, Hare Mountain, the Marinoni Scenic Area, and many other scenic spots. The Ozark Highlands Trail roams 218 miles (351 km) through parts of seven counties in northwest Arkansas. Robert Duggan Ozark St Francis National Forest 605 W. Main St. Russellville, AR Want to adopt this trail? Difficulty : Easy to Moderate. Ozark Highlands Trail Length: 187 miles Terrain: Wooded valleys, lakes Highlights: Waterfalls, spring and fall colors, the pride of Arkansas. The Ozarks Highlands Trail (OHT) is one of the premier, long-distance hiking trails in the United States. Our Ozark Highlands Trail guide helps you navigate the length of the 164-mile trail. An “orphan” portion of the Ozark Highlands Trail runs through 31 miles of the Leatherwood Wilderness Area of the Ozark National Forest, and can currently be reached only by “bushwhacking” through a 15-mile section of another wilderness area. There are hundreds of miles of trails in the forest, including the Ozark Highlands Trail, which extends some 165 miles (270km). The Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT) The trail is 218 miles long and stretches the length of Northwest Arkansas. The Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT) is a combination of simple footpath and old forest roads favoring the heights of land, and located for minimum reliance on construction for protecting the resource. Now it is a little more complicated. Featured NRT Articles Search by Trail Type Another 10 miles of trail starts at Barkshed and meanders west to join the Ozark Highlands Trail. The Ozark Highlands Trail is a 165 miles long trail spanning most of the Northern half of the Ozark Mountains from Lake Fort Smith State Park to the Buffalo River. Length: 1.4 miles. River View Trail. Primary Surface: Soil Average Grade: 15% Maximum Grade: 30% Elevation Low Point: 900 Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. There are quite a number of creek crossings without bridges. State(s): Arkansas The NRT Database is a free service provided by American Trails (a non-profit) and we need your support. An easy to moderate level hike, it will take you between one and two hours to get through this trail. It used to be said that the Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT) was 165 miles long, stretching from Lake Fort Smith State Park to Woolum Ford on the Buffalo River. This is an amazing winter hiking trail, with people coming from all over the country to get in some winter backpacking. Trail Ambassador Program, NRT Home Page Construction of the Ozark Highlands Trail was begun by the US Forest Service in 1977, and the Ozark Highlands Trail Association was founded in 1981. 72801 (479) 964-7200 [email protected] http://www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ozark. The full length of the trail is 165 miles (an update from the Ozark Highlands Trail Association says it is 197 miles and growing) starting at Lake Fort Smith State Park and running northeast to the Buffalo National River. I highly recommend the Ozark Highlands Trail Guide by Tim Ernst. Ozark Highlands Trail. A self-described “genuine trail nut,” Ernst actually backpacked the entire trail’s route in 1975, bushwhacking much of the way. Over the course of one day, the elevation may change several thousand feet as it climbs to the top of a mountain, along a ridge, and back down to a creek. The surround sound howl of coyotes and an owl in the distance were the only disturbances to the silence of the woods and soft sound of flowing water. Ozark Highlands Trail Guide; This is the bible for OHT hikers. The OHT is a heavily forested, backpacking trail located in Northern Arkansas. Year Designated: 1984. Location: Spans E-W across Ozark NF, from Lake Fort Smith to Richland Creek. I hiked it in 2015. 21 crosses the southern boundary of the Ozark National Forest and continues until Ark. The trail passes through some of the most remote and scenic portions of the Ozark Mountains, like the Hurricane Creek Wilderness Area. So hope for sunny skies. Tales of the Trail: Thru-Hiking the Ozark Highlands Trail A thru­-hike of any trail presents many challenges that most are unaware of. The Ozark Highlands Trail Association (OHTA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit all-volunteer organization that was founded in 1981 to build, maintain, and enjoy the Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT). Elevation Gain (cumulative): Not Available It will eventually connect to the Ozark Trail in Missouri. The Ozark Highlands Trail extends 165 miles from Lake Fort Smith State Park to Woolum, a canoe launch point on the middle Buffalo. Secondary Surface: None Width: 24 inches. The trail’s western terminus is Lake Fort Smith State Park in Crawford County, and its eastern terminus lies within the Buffalo National River park in Searcy County.The trail runs almost entirely through the Ozark National Forest, which regulates use. Download the most popular smartphone app for thruhikers! 14/Dillard's Ferry along … Ozark Highlands Trail in Northern Arkansas. Location: Arkansas; Description: This short thru hike runs through northwest Arkansas from Lake Fort Smith State Park to Lake Norfork. Arkansas has long been known as the Natural state and for a good reason. Through the supreme effort of the volunteers from the Ozark Highlands Trail Association, the first 100 miles or so of the OHT were cleared by March giving us an open trail. LENGTH: 35 miles, Ark. Stretching 230 miles, the Ozark Trail showcases the very best of the region, which is somehow even better during the eruption of fall colors. Ozark Highlands Trail is a 156.7 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Winslow, Arkansas that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The WEST map covers from Lake Ft. Smith State Park (mile 0.0) to Ozone (mile 85.1) - Sections 1-4. OZARK HIGHLANDS TRAIL MAPS - WEST, EAST, and NORTH maps - perfect companions to the OHT guidebook. Ozark Highlands Trail: Ouachita National Recreation Trail: Trek Dates: 28Jun - 7Jul 2004: 17Apr - 28Apr 2005: Trek length, including resupply and trailhead access. Our end point for this hike will be the Ozone Trailhead, mile 85.7, the approximate midpoint of the trail. The trail is the only designated National Recreation Trail on the forest. A brief description of the Ozark Highlands Trail: I t has wonderful vistas, terrific streamside walks, lots of deep green pools to swim in, bluffs and rocks and boulders galore, forests that go on forever, and hundreds of waterfalls. Donate, Browse NRT Map Facilities include the OHT footpath itself, trailhead parking areas, information boards at road crossings and developed recreation areas. It offers a variety of diverse landscapes representing various topographic, vegetative, pastoral, historic, human and animal life communities that are typically found throughout the Ozarks. 21 exits the forest near the Buffalo National River . When complete, the OHT will stretch 320 miles across northern Arkansas from Lake Fort Smith State Park to Lake Norfork – where it will connect to the Ozark Trail in Missouri. Longitude: -94.030371Latitude: 35.700052. We had taken our first backpacking trip a couple years before, and that trip had turned out to be a miserable failure - hypothermia, lost shoes, and deep snow, just to name a few travails. Access at numerous trailheads. Ozark National Forest contains 1,874 square miles (4,856 sq. The Ozarks Highlands Trail (OHT) is one of the premier, long-distance hiking trails in the United States. It stretches from Lake Fort Smith State Park, across the Ozark National Forest, to the Buffalo National River. It's a great trail! For more information: Ozark Highlands Trail Association, Box 10979, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703, www.OzarkHighlandsTrail.com, (501) 442-2799 Description: The Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT) is one of the most spectacular hiking trails in the United States. The book has eight maps and elevation profiles, nine mileage logs, information on campgrounds, trailhead parking areas, hunting and fishing, scenic spots, historical features, a month-by-month weather guide, plus lots of info that you'll need to hike this wonderful trail. It is currently 165 miles from end to end, with 27 additional miles of connecting spurs and loops, so it makes for a great long-distance backpacking trail. Running through Ozark National Forest, the Ozark Highlands Trail is the ideal backpacking destination for an autumn adventure. In Missouri the Ozark Trail currently runs 350 miles (563 km) and will eventually measure 500 miles (805 km). There is a complete mile-by-mile description of this 165-mile trail, which has been rated as one of the Top-Ten hiking trails in the United States. Between the beautiful waterfalls and natural springs, this hike offers shady walk at an intermediate level of hiking to be enjoyed over a 10-12 day backpacking trip There are long-term plans to connect the similarly named Ozark Trail in Missouri to the Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas, resulting in over 700 miles (1,100 km) of continuous trails through the Ozarks. area on the Buffalo River Trail: 235 miles, starting at Talimena State Park, ending at Maumelle Campground. The trail passes through some of the most remote and scenic portions of the Ozark Mountains, like the Hurricane Creek Wilderness Area. Length: 230 miles (and growing!) The hike from Arbaugh to Ozone on the Ozark Highlands Trail was beautiful! It offers a chance to see the beautiful Buffalo River and to have a truly remote experience. For questions, suggestions, and corrections to information listed on the website, contact American Trails. Designations by Year Redemption on the Ozark Highlands Trail In March 2012, spring break of my junior year of college, a few friends and I decided to head to the Ozarks of northern Arkansas to do a little backpacking. Contact us below: The NRT Database is a free service provided by American Trails (a non-profit) and we need your support! Elevation High Point: 2,200 Ozark Highlands Trail is one of the longest hikes in the Midwest, extending for about 165 miles. Benefits of designation Apply for designation Views from the OHT are predominantly forested, sporadically intermixed with old fields, pastoral valleys, and cultural landscapes. This trail was first thru-hiked in 1984 by Tim Ernst. The guide is a a bit dated but it worked very well for me. The summers are hot, humid, buggy and the trail becomes choked with vegetation. It is well-known for its extensive woodlands, some of which is old growth forest. About For more information and current conditions, contact the trail manager (listed below). Many trail access points can be found throughout the forest where it bisects most state and woods roads. Once you cross FR 1003T (OHT-05, N35.697420 W094.007072) you will be in prescribed burn . However, they have since vetoed this proposed route. We hike 8.8 miles the first day and camped at Boomer Branch. This is a wilderness trail that does not pass through populated areas. Starts at Lake Ft. Smith State Park on Hwy 71 and ends at the Buffalo River. While the trail is long, it is well worth the magical forest setting that you become immersed throughout the trip. It also crosses White Rock Mountain, Hare Mountain, the Marinoni Scenic Area, and many other scenic spots. It offers a variety of diverse landscapes representing various topographic, vegetative, pastoral, historic, human and animal life communities that are typically found throughout the Ozarks. 170 miles, starting at Dockerys Gap, ending at Tyler Bend Rec. The maps from Underwood Geographics are essential, as is the trail guide by Tim Ernst. The 180 miles (290 km) of trail in the Arkansas Ozark Mountains, the Ozark Highlands Trail, might be connected in the end to the Missouri trail system. The Ozark Highlands National Recreation Trail is a 165-mile-long hiking and backpacking route across northwestern Arkansas. The Ozark Highlands Trail is a 165 miles long trail spanning most of the Northern half of the Ozark Mountains from Lake Fort Smith State Park to the Buffalo River. Trail Management: Length: 218 miles. The byway crosses the 165-mile Ozark Highlands Trail, a hiking and camping trail that travels through the Ozark National Forest to the Buffalo National River. Backpack camping is allowed anywhere along the trail. Ozark Highlands Trail. The Ozarks, also known as the Ozark Mountains or Ozark Plateau, is a physiographic region in the U.S. states of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and the extreme southeastern corner of Kansas.The Ozarks cover a significant portion of northern Arkansas and most of the southern half of Missouri, extending from Interstate 40 in central Arkansas to Interstate 70 in central Missouri. You may never see another hiker while on the OHT. Search by Activity [2], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}35°43′22″N 93°30′29″W / 35.72278°N 93.50806°W / 35.72278; -93.50806, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ozark_Highlands_Trail&oldid=953615391, Long-distance trails in the United States, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 28 April 2020, at 04:11. The most exhausting, grueling, and wearisome aspect of this brand of adventure is the mental perseverance it takes to complete such a daunting task. The OHT offers a diversity of topography and a variety of vegetation and animal life exposing the hiker to the entire range of land forms, clear water features, history, and uses of the land found throughout the Ozarks. The trailhead for this trail is at the Tyler Bend Visitor Center. Helpful NRT contacts. Your best source for information is the Ozark Highlands Trail Association www.ozarkhighlandstrail.com. km) of land and was established by presidential proclamation in 1908. STAGE A covers the first 35 miles from Lake Fort Smith to Cherry Bend.This stage is broken into 2 day trips in September (sections 1 and 2) and 2 day trips in October (sections 3 and 4). The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is accessible year-round. 6. 21 north of Clarksville as Ark. [1] It stretches from Lake Fort Smith State Park, across the Ozark National Forest, to the Buffalo National River. Management practices are modified to recognize the nationally significant aesthetic and recreation values of these lands. The trail connects to the Ozark Highlands Trail, and has a river ford. Do you see a problem with this trail data? Counties: Franklin, Pope, Johnson, Newton There is a complete mile-by-mile description of this 165-mile trail, which has been rated as one of the Top-Ten hiking trails in the United States.