North Sylamore Creek Trail

Ozark National Forest (Blanchard Springs area, near Big Flat)

The North Sylamore Creek Trail runs about 23 miles through the Sylamore District of the Ozark National Forest, from the Cripple Turkey Trailhead to the Allison Trailhead near the White River. OuachitaMaps says it features sandstone bluffs that rival the Buffalo River Trail and the crystal-clear water of Sylamore Creek. The trail links three Forest Service recreation areas, so it’s easy to break into shorter sections.

A spring 2025 tornado damaged the Blanchard Springs end, so check conditions before you go.

The hike

OuachitaMaps describes the trail running from the Cripple Turkey Trailhead to the Allison Trailhead, following Cole and Barkshed Creeks before entering the Sylamore Valley. It notes the Sylamore Trail is blazed blue, while the Ozark Highlands Trail, which shares part of the route along Barkshed Road, is blazed white.

From the Cripple Turkey end, OuachitaMaps says the trail crosses Barkshed Creek and Cole Road at 4.7 miles, and that unless it has been raining, Barkshed Creek is the first water. About half a mile later, the trail climbs to the steep side of the Barkshed valley and stays there until it reaches the Sylamore Valley. At 9.4 miles it reaches the road at Barkshed Recreation Area, which has a picnic area, vault toilet, a small primitive campground, and access to Sylamore Creek.

From Barkshed, OuachitaMaps says, the trail follows the road out of the recreation area and turns into the woods at a big sign giving 4 miles to Gunner Pool and 9 miles to Blanchard Springs. It notes several good camping spots in this area. Compulsive Hiker describes Gunner Pool as a bit more developed than Barkshed, and Blanchard Springs as offering campgrounds, a cave with daily tours, a small spring-fed lake, and swimming areas.

Compulsive Hiker breaks the trail into segments: Cripple Turkey Road to Barkshed Creek, 4.7 miles; Barkshed Creek to Barkshed, 4.9; Barkshed to Gunner Pool, 4.25; Gunner Pool to Blanchard Springs, 5.25; and Blanchard Springs to Allison, 4.8. It says North Sylamore Creek is crossed four times, three of them on bridges.

Blanchard Springs is the trail’s centerpiece. Explore the Ozarks describes hiking trails, swimming holes, fishing, a waterfall, springs, camping, and one of the most spectacular caves in the Ozarks. OuachitaMaps suggests making time for up to a half-day trip into the remote sections of Blanchard Springs Caverns. Wikipedia says the Sylamore Scenic Byway begins at the Blanchard Springs Caverns Visitor Center and was designated a National Forest Scenic Byway in 1989.

The 2025 tornado changed things. Compulsive Hiker says it left a large number of obstructions on the trail between Gunner Pool and Blanchard Springs, and reports that the Blanchard Springs area is becoming a state park. An AllTrails reviewer says the Blanchard Springs camping area is closed because of the tornado and flooding.

One AllTrails reviewer who hiked from Barkshed to Blanchard calls it one of their favorite trails in Arkansas, in great condition with great views, but warns it was dry, with the creek flowing slowly and green in most spots.

For another Ozark Highlands Trail section, see the Hurricane Creek Wilderness.

Tips

Check tornado damage first. The Gunner Pool–Blanchard Springs section had heavy obstructions after the 2025 tornado.
Carry water from the Cripple Turkey end. OuachitaMaps says Barkshed Creek, 4.7 miles in, is the first water unless it’s been raining.
Follow the blue blazes. The Sylamore Trail is blazed blue; the Ozark Highlands Trail is white.
Break it into sections. Three recreation areas make it easy to plan shorter trips.
Leash your dog. AllTrails says dogs are welcome on a leash.

Camping

AllTrails says backpack camping is permitted along the trail, with fee camping at the three developed recreation areas: Blanchard Springs, Gunner Pool, and Barkshed. Arkansas Outside notes that national forest land allows dispersed camping. Explore the Ozarks says Blanchard Springs Campground has 32 campsites, but recent reports say it’s closed after tornado and flood damage. Confirm with the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests before planning on it.

Inside Intel: OuachitaMaps points to several good camping spots on the stretch south of Barkshed toward Gunner Pool, and its writers found a campsite between the trail and the creek about 0.7 mile farther along. OuachitaMaps describes Barkshed’s small primitive campground as having creek access and a vault toilet.

Trail facts

Distance: About 23 to 23.4 miles, Cripple Turkey to Allison
Route type: Point to point, or shorter sections between recreation areas
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous. About 2,788 feet of gain (AllTrails).
Campsites: Dispersed along the trail; fee campgrounds at Barkshed, Gunner Pool, and Blanchard Springs (check status)
Water: Barkshed Creek and North Sylamore Creek; can run low in dry spells. Treat all water.
Permits: None found for backpack camping
Dogs: On leash
Trailheads: Cripple Turkey, Barkshed, Gunner Pool, Blanchard Springs, and Allison
Last verified: September 30, 2026

The Lowdown

Bluffs, creeks, and a cool night:

A camp along North Sylamore Creek is a fine place for a quality sleeping bag. See which bags testers rate.

See the picks →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.