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Ozark Highlands Trail
The Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT) is a hiking trail that crosses the Ozark National Forest and is recognized as one of the most scenic trails in the US. Starting at Lake Ft. Smith State Park on Arkansas 71, the trail crosses the forest to Woolum near the Buffalo National River and into the Sylamore Ranger District. Trailhead access points are located along its entirety. The trail travels through a wide variety of forest landscapes ranging from lower streamside elevations to high ridges. Scenic bluff and rock formations along with 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.
The Ozark Highlands Trail Association (OHTA) builds and maintains the growing Ozark Highlands Trail across northwest Arkansas from Lake Fort Smith State Park to Lake Norfork where it will connect to the Ozark Trail of Missouri. About 230 miles of trail are built as of 2017, not including about 15 miles of trail route in the Lower Buffalo Wilderness. For more information about the volunteer association and the trail, check out their website: http://ozarkhighlandstrail.com/
At a Glance
| Open Season: | Year-round |
|---|---|
| Restrictions: | Foot travel only |
| Closest Towns: | Russellville, Fort Smith |
| Water: | Not for drinking - except at campgrounds along the trail |
| Restroom: | none - except at campgrounds along the trail |
| Operated By: | Maintained by Ozark Highlands Trail Association volunteers |
General Information
Directions:Various trailheads. Call the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest for directions 479-964-7200 or check out the Ozark Highlands Trail Association at http://ozarkhighlandstrail.com/ for more information
Activities
Dispersed Camping
River and Stream Fishing
The Upper Buffalo River - 15.7 miles. Smallmouth Bass, Ozark Bass, and Green Sunfish.
Day Hiking
A 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.
| Fire Information | Campfires are allowed (unless in the event of a burn ban), no firewood should be brought in or taken from any of the sites. |
Backpacking
A 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.
| Fire Information | Campfires are allowed (unless in the event of a burn ban), no firewood should be brought in or taken from any of the sites. |
Viewing Wildlife
Viewing Plants
Viewing Scenery
The Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT) is a hiking trail that crosses the Ozark National Forest and is recognized as one of the most scenic trails in the US. Starting at Lake Ft. Smith State Park on Arkansas 71, the trail crosses the forest to Woolum near the Buffalo National River and into the Sylamore Ranger District. Trailhead access points are located along its entirety. The trail travels through a wide variety of forest landscapes ranging from lower streamside elevations to high ridges. Scenic bluff and rock formations along with 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.