Backpack Trail Guide

Trails

Top Backpacking Trails in Arkansas

15 routes. Each page shows when we last checked it. Updated September 2026.

Arkansas backpacking falls into three areas on this site: the Ozark Mountains in the north, the Ouachita Mountains in the west and center, and Buffalo National River. In the Ozarks, the Ozark Highlands Trail crosses the Boston Mountains through the Hurricane Creek and Richland Creek areas, and loops like White Rock-Shores Lake and the Butterfield Hiking Trail at Devil’s Den climb in and out of creek hollows. In the Ouachitas, the Eagle Rock Loop and the Caney Creek Wilderness follow clear streams over steep ridges, and the Ouachita Trail runs east across the Flatside Wilderness, with shelters along the way. The Buffalo River Trail follows the river’s bluffs and old homesteads between Boxley and Pruitt.

Most trips use dispersed camping on national forest or park land, with no permit reported, but state parks such as Devil’s Den and Hobbs require a permit or a campsite reservation. Fall through spring is the usual season, and the Forest Service’s Ouachita Trail guide calls those months most favorable. Summers are hot, and some streams run low in dry spells.

Water is the main hazard. Crossings on the Little Missouri River, Frog Bayou, and Caney Creek can be dangerous after rain, and the NPS warns that the Buffalo can rise more than 25 feet in a day. Deer seasons run from fall into winter, and a University of Arkansas biologist estimates the state has about 5,000 black bears, so keep a clean camp and check current rules with the managing agency.

Quick picks

Buffalo National River

Ouachita Mountains

Ozark Mountains

Backpacking in Arkansas: common questions

Do you need a permit to backpack in Arkansas?

It depends on the managing agency. The National Park Service says no backcountry permit is required at Buffalo National River, and the Forest Service says no permit is needed for the Eagle Rock Loop in the Ouachita National Forest. State parks are different: Devil's Den requires a free permit from the visitor center for the Butterfield Hiking Trail, and the five Pigeon Roost Trail campsites at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area require a reservation.

Can you camp anywhere along Arkansas backpacking trails?

Rules vary by managing agency. In the national forests, dispersed camping is generally allowed, and the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests limit stays to 30 consecutive days and 90 days a year under a forest order that runs through December 31, 2026. At Buffalo National River, the NPS says to camp at least 50 feet off the trail and 100 feet from water, at least half a mile from any developed area, and never in caves, rock shelters, historic sites, private land, or the Boxley Valley fields. State parks such as Devil's Den and Hobbs don't allow camping along their trails except at designated sites.

When is the best time to backpack in Arkansas?

Most trip planning points to fall through spring. The Forest Service's Ouachita Trail guide says conditions are most favorable from autumn through spring, and one guide calls Arkansas summers extremely hot. Spring brings higher water, though: the Forest Service says wet crossings on the Eagle Rock Loop are almost certain in March and April.

How dangerous are creek and river crossings in Arkansas?

They are a major safety concern on several trips, including the Little Missouri River on the Eagle Rock Loop, Frog Bayou on the Ozark Highlands Trail, and Caney Creek. The NPS says the Buffalo River can rise more than a foot an hour and more than 25 feet in a day after rain that may fall upstream and out of sight. Check river gauges and the forecast before you go, and pick campsites with a route to higher ground.

Is it safe to backpack in Arkansas during hunting season?

National forest land is open to hunting, and the Forest Service says state game regulations apply there. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission lists 2026-27 deer archery season from late September through February, with modern gun season from mid-November into late December depending on the zone. Some areas close outright: the Pigeon Roost Trail at Hobbs closes during deer permit hunts in November, December, and January. Check current dates with the AGFC and the managing agency.

Can you bring a dog backpacking in Arkansas?

Not at Buffalo National River, where the NPS says pets are not permitted on trails, in the backcountry, or in wilderness areas. Other areas may allow leashed dogs; for example, AllTrails says dogs are welcome on a leash on the North Sylamore Creek Trail. Confirm pet rules with the managing agency before you go.

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