Arkansas has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. Here are just a few of them.
These links were found through Internet search. I would love to have some first-hand recommendations. With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.
Federal
State
Local
Private
Miscellaneous
Federal
Buffalo National River
There are a lot of trails in this 95,000 acre park surrounding the Buffalo river. Some sound easy and quite a few are accessible. The Buffalo National River flows freely for 135 miles and is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states. The park is divided into three districts, Upper, Tyler Bend (Middle) and Buffalo Point Area (Lower). The main phone number at Tyler Bend 870-439-2502 Here is the website. Map Hiking Trails
BuffaloRiver.org has links to trail descriptions including difficulty for the upper and middle districts.
Quite a few of these trails sound as if they might be easy, although not suitable for wheelchairs. Call the visitor centers to learn more.
Brochure of Upper District Trails Pruitt Visitor Center phone 870-446-5373
Lost Valley 2.3 miles one way has views of the river from the bluffs.Erble-Cedar Grove 4.3 mile one way to a historic cemeteryPonds Trail 0.4 mile with a viewing deck on the South Pond.Koen Interpretive Trail 0.4 mile with identified trees.
Link goes to blog called “Exploring Northwest Arkansas” by btoellner. It contains a description and photographs of this trail.Brochure of Middle District Trails Tyler Bend Visitor Center 870-439-2502
Collier Homestead 0.6 mile to historic site.Know more about Buffalo National River?
Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails? Is any of the information given here incorrect? If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge
The Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge has a paved loop handicap accessible trail and other short trails which sound as though they may be easy. Call 870-282-8200 to learn more.
The refuge is one of the most important areas for wintering waterfowl in North America and is also home to the only population of native black bear in the State of Arkansas. It lies mostly in the floodplain of the White River, near where it meets the Mississippi River. The refuge is one of the largest remaining bottomland hardwood forests in the Mississippi River Valley, with fertile forests and some three hundred lakes, interlaced with streams, sloughs, and bayous. The result is a haven for a myriad of native wildlife and migratory birds. Here is the park website and a description of trails.
Upland Trail is a paved one mile loop with interpretive panels and benches.Know more about Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge?
Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails? Is any of the information given here incorrect? If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.Ouachita National Forest
The Ouachita National Forest covers 1.8 million acres in central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. Headquarters are in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Here is the Forest website.
Lake Sylvia Recreational Area in the Ouachita National Forest
Lake Slyvia is an 18 acre lake with two interpretive trails, one of them wheelchair accessible. Lake Sylvia is 38 miles west of Little Rock, Arkansas. opportunities for fishing and swimming. Here is their website. Brochure phone 501-321-5202 Call first to be sure the area is open.
Trees of the Forest 0.4 miles “The Trees of the Forest interpretive trail is an accessible trail for the physically disabled visitors. Each interpretive sign features information on the variety of tree species found in the area. Each sign also offers the text in Braille format.”Know more about Ouachita National Forest?
Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails? Is any of the information given here incorrect? If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
“The Ozark National Forest covers 1.2 million acres, mostly in the Ozark mountains of northern Arkansas.” It encompasses the tallest mountain in the State, Mount Magazine, and the Blanchard Springs Caverns.
“The St. Francis National Forest covers 22,600 acres in eastern Arkansas, one of the smallest and most diverse forests in the country.”
There are “recreational opportunities for camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, hunting, boating, scenic drives, picnics sites, and opportunities for wildlife viewing.”Henry Koen Experimental Forest
The 720 acre Henry R. Koen Experimental Forest (Koen) is covered mostly in oak-hickory upland hardwood forest and oak-pine stands.
Henry Koen Nature Trail 0.5 mile interpretive trailHammerschmidt Falls Trail 1.2 miles “good for all skill levels”The Experimental Forest is within the Ozark National forest so you might call the Jasper Ranger District office for information 870-446-5122.
Forest Headquarters phone 479-964-7200
State
Accessibility Brochure and chart published by the Arkansas State Parks, shows accessible features in each of the state parks. “100% disabled” persons receive half off camping fees in Arkansas State Parks. You need written proof of disability.
Bull – Shoals State Park
Bull Shoals-White River State Park, in the Ozark mountains of north central Arkansas, northwest of Mountain home, has an accessible paved loop trail. The park lies along the riverside and lakeshore where the White River and Bull Shoals Lake join at the Bull Shoals Dam. The area is known for fishing and boating opportunities.
Trails Guide Brochure Phone 501-682-1191 Here is their website.
Gaston Wildflower Garden Area and Trail 0.75 mile paved loopLakeside Trail 1 mile. Rated easy, but check first to see if it is suitable for you.Know more about Bull Shoals State Park?
Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails? Is any of the information given here incorrect? If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area
Cossatot River State Park in southwest Arkansas south of Mena has two interpretive trails, one of them accessible. The Park lies along 12 miles of the Cossatot River, a premier whitewater float stream. The Cossatot is a National Wild and Scenic River and flows through the rugged canyon of Cossatot Falls. Here is their website. Brochure Phone 870-385-2201
? Brushy Creek Interpretive Trail 0.75 mile “through mixed – southern forest cover, and offers a scenic view overlooking the Cossatot River/Brushy Creek union.” Tree Guide This trail is described as “barrier-free”, but I see there is a “flight of stairs” down to the parking lot at the end. Better call ahead to learn more.
Waterleaf Interpretive Trail ” … begins at the visitor center and includes a section of barrier-free trail along the ridge top.”Know more about Cossatot River State Park?
Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails? Is any of the information given here incorrect? If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.Crater of Diamonds State Park
The Crater of Diamonds State Park, Murfreesboro, Arkansas has the River Trail which is partly accessible. The purpose of this park is to “manage and interpret this unique site and to provide a meaningful diamond mining experience for all guests and future generations. ….. visitors from around the world search for diamonds in a 37-acre field which is the eroded surface of the world’s eighth largest diamond-bearing volcanic crater… Over 75,000 diamonds have been found at “The Crater.” The diamonds are white, yellow or brown. “Amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate, quartz, and more rocks and minerals may also be found at the Crater of Diamonds, making the park a rock hound’s paradise.”
The River Trail 1.2 miles goes through the woods to the scenic Little Missouri River. “Half of the trail is paved and barrier-free with exhibits.”
Brochure Phone 870-285-3113 Here is their website.Crowley’s Ridge State Park
Crowley’s Ridge State Park in northeast Arkansas has an accessible trail and another considered very easy. The Park occupies the former homestead of Benjamin Crowley, whose family first settled this area. There are native log and stone structures, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The park has a31-acre fishing lake (electric motors only); and a 3 1/2-acre swimming lake. You can rent fishing boats, kayaks, and pedal boats. Interpretive programs are offered here throughout the year.
Lake Ponder Trail 0.45 mile loop A good place to see sensitive fern and other plants that grow along the marshy shoreline.
Walcott Lake Trail 0.5 mile The trail runs along the top of the fishing lake levee and is good for spotting water birds
Brochure Trail Guide Phone 870-573-6751 Here is the park website.Daisy State Park
Daisy State Park is on the shore of 7,000 acre Lake Greeson in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas. You will find mountain scenery and great fishing.
? Daisy Creek Trail 0.75 mile loop. The trail “highlights the different ecosystems of Daisy State Park. It begins in a heavily wooded area and meanders along Daisy Creek and Lake Greeson. The trail offers wildlife viewing opportunities including waterfowl, small mammals, owls, and other local wildlife.” In at least one State website, this trail is called “accessible”. Better call to find out.
Brochure Phone 870-398-4487 Here is the park website.Hobbs State Park
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area (HSPCA), northeast of Springdale, Arkansas, has the accessible quarter mile Ozark Plateau Trail and half mile Historic Van Winkle Trail. The conservation area covers diverse Ozark landscape along 22 miles of the southern shore of Beaver Lake. The park has plateaus, ridges, valleys, and streams in an upland forest of oak, hickory and pine. There are many water features.
Brochure Trails Phone 479-789-5000 Here is the park’s website.
Ozark Plateau Trail 0.25 mile Concrete surface inner loop and .50 of a mile crushed stone outer “challenge” loop. “Wheelchair accessible and meets ADA guidelines”
Historic Van Winkle Trail 0.5 mileJanet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center in Fort Smith has two accessible trails. The center contains 170 acres of land in Fort Smith that were previously part of Fort Chaffee. The building overlooks Wells Lake, popular for fishing and picnicking. The center focuses on the wide variety of birds and other animals that call the area home.
Phone 479-452-3993 Trails Here is their website.
Wells Lake Trail 0.7 milesBeaver Creek Trail 0.3 milesLake Charles State Park
“Anglers and nature lovers will enjoy this peaceful park in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains on the shore of 654-acre Lake Charles.”
Here is the Park website. Brochure Trails Phone 877-879-2741
Cedar Trail 1-mile loop “Most of this paved …trial follows the Lake Charles shoreline. There are several species of trees here, including sugarberry, white ash, eastern red cedar and many kinds of oaks and hickories.”
Butterflies & Blooms Trail 0.3 mile “This pleasant trail connects the campground with the visitor center. It meanders through wildflowers and wildlife habitat that changes each week through the season. Along this trail visitors often see wildlife, including birds, butterflies and deer. ”
Local
Private
Miscellaneous
Arkansas Accessibility Information
This great website from Arkansas.com includes a list of 14 Barrier-free TrailsNature For The Blind has a directory of Braille trails for almost every state in the US and for many other countries.
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy lists wheelchair accessible trails in Arkansas.