Backpack Trail Guide

Trails / Arkansas / Ozark Mountains

Ozark Highlands Trail: Lake Fort Smith to White Rock Mountain

Lake Fort Smith State Park and Ozark National Forest (Boston Mountains)

The Ozark Highlands Trail begins at Lake Fort Smith State Park, where Mile 0 is marked with a large sign beside the visitor center. Section 1 runs about 17 miles from there to White Rock Mountain, following the lakeshore past old homesite chimneys, fording Frog Bayou, and climbing through the Boston Mountains to White Rock Mountain’s overlook. The Ozark Highlands Trail Association calls it a good example of the terrain on most of the trail: constant rolling hills, crystal-clear drainages, hilltop views, and Ozark backwoods.

The Frog Bayou crossing near the start decides whether the trip happens at all.

The hike

Hiking Project says the trail starts just to the left of the Lake Fort Smith visitor center. The OHTA text describes the first three miles following the shore of Lake Fort Smith with open views across the water, passing the chimneys of two separate homesites. OuachitaMaps notes a lowland at about 4.8 miles where Jack Creek meets the lake. Hiking Project says the trail crosses the park boundary at around mile 5.

Frog Bayou comes at about mile 3. Hiking Project says the water may be anywhere from ankle to waist high and to check with the rangers at the visitor center before you leave. OuachitaMaps says the crossing is always wet and often impassable after a decent rain. The OHTA text puts it simply: if you can’t see the bottom of the creek, don’t cross.

Past Frog Bayou, Hiking Project says the trail follows a creek and crosses several others, many with small waterfalls. OuachitaMaps puts the Jack Creek crossing at 9.4 miles. A Fitpacking itinerary lists a Jack Creek campsite at about 1,170 feet. The trail levels around mile 10 and crosses Forest Road 1007 at 10.4 miles, then descends about 550 feet in 0.6 mile to Hurricane Creek. OuachitaMaps notes this isn’t the same Hurricane Creek as the one in the Hurricane Creek Wilderness farther east.

Hurricane Creek matters. Hiking Project and the OHTA text both say it’s the last reliable water before White Rock. From there, Hiking Project says, you climb toward White Rock Mountain. OuachitaMaps describes the trail contouring and swinging south below White Rock, with glimpses of the mountain and the sounds of visitors at the overlook just past mile 17. Compulsive Hiker puts the White Rock Mountain trailhead at mile 17.4.

At the top, Hiking Project says, the White Rock Mountain campground has tent and cabin sites, water, trash service, and a small store with snacks. Past White Rock, OuachitaMaps says the Ozark Highlands Trail overlaps for several miles with the White Rock–Shores Lake Loop, and good campsites sit on both sides of Spirits Creek farther along.

AllTrails rates Section 1 hard, with about 2,910 feet of gain, and says creek crossings, fallen trees, and steep climbs near White Rock add to the challenge. Arkansas Outside describes its writers making a slow start, crossing Frog Bayou at mile 3, and camping at Hurricane Creek about 10 miles in on the first night of a longer section hike.

The OHTA text says hikers aren’t restricted to designated campsites on this section and will find a wide selection of potential sites.

For the trail’s other wilderness sections, see the Hurricane Creek Wilderness page.

Tips

Camping

The OHTA text says camping on Section 1 isn’t restricted to designated sites. Hiking Project says camping along the trail begins around mile 5, where the trail leaves Lake Fort Smith State Park. White Rock Mountain Recreation Area, at the end, has campsites and cabins. Practice Leave No Trace, and check fire restrictions with the Ozark National Forest.

Inside Intel: Hurricane Creek, about 10 miles in, is the natural first-night camp. Arkansas Outside’s writers camped there on the first night, and it’s the last reliable water before the climb to White Rock. A Fitpacking group used a Jack Creek campsite a little earlier. If you continue past White Rock, Arkansas Outside’s second night at Spirits Creek had caves nearby and a secluded site with room for two or three tents.

Trail facts

The Lowdown

Fording Frog Bayou at mile 3:

Frog Bayou, at about mile 3, may run ankle to waist deep, and the OHTA says if you can't see the bottom, don't cross. Our five tips cover checking levels first, choosing a spot, and unbuckling your pack.

See the water-crossing tips →

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.