Ozark Highlands Trail - Hiking trail near Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States - Description

Ozark Highlands Trail is a 165-mile hiking trail that crosses the Ozark National Forest and is recognized as one of the most scenic trails in the United States. Starting at Lake Fort Smith State Park on Arkansas 71, the trail crosses the forest to Woolum near the Buffalo National River. Trailhead parking is available at several locations along the trail.

The trail travels through a wide variety of forest landscapes ranging from lower stream side elevations to high ridges. Scenic bluff and rock formations along the high vistas are evident along most sections of the trail. Forest cover varies from newly established stands of pine and hardwood trees to older, mature stands.

Hiking the trail, you will see evidence of numerous management activities including wildlife openings and food plots, livestock improvements, timber harvesting, and reforestation. Other activities may include oil or gas exploration and production. Each of these activities plays an important role in the management of the national forest for a full range of resources.

The Ozark Highlands Trail is marked with a 2-by-6-inch white blaze. The trail is also marked at every mile with a flexible brown post with the appropriate mile number. The numbering sequence begins on the west end and increases eastward. Two blazes, one on top of the other, indicate a prompt change in direction. You should not proceed more than 1/4 mile without noticing a trail marker. Major side trails are marked with a blue blaze.

The trailhead is at Lake Fort Smith State Park on Arkansas 71.