Located in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas, Eureka Springs has an abundance of hiking trails within the city limits and the surrounding area. The town is sandwiched between the Kings River and Beaver Lake, which have hiking trails that climb the bluffs above the water.
Beaver Lake
Beaver Lake stretches over more than 28,000 acres. The northernmost region of the lake is a few miles east of Eureka Springs and features several challenging hiking trails.
The Bench Rock Nature Trail, a 1.3 mile takes you to bluff-side views of Beaver Lake. Head further south from Eureka Springs to reach the 21-mile Hidden Diversity trail. This moderate to strenuous trail has several loops that take hikers up to ridges with panoramic views. The Beaver Lake Visitor Center, located at the junction of Arkansas Highway 12 and War Eagle Road, offers trail maps.
Hobbs State Park
Hobbs State Park Conservation Area offers several moderate to strenuous trails through the Ozark Mountains. The 1.5-mile Shaddox Hollow Nature Trail may seem short in length, but it offers steep ascents and descents.
If you want to tackle an overnight hiking trip, try the 21-mile Hidden Diversity Trail or the 8.5 mile Pigeon Roost Trail. Both trails are shared with mountain bikers and horseback riders.
Lake Leatherwood
Lake Leatherwood Park, just two miles west of Eureka Springs, has more than 1,600 acres to explore. The park offers 15 miles of linked trails, each one to four miles in length. Many of the trails climb to about 300 feet in elevation and have scenic overlooks of the lake and 1940s limestone dam. (Reference 1 and 4)
Caves
Head northeast to Cosmic Cavern and take one of two tours of the cave. You can take the regular cave tour, which lasts just over an hour and winds through easy walkways. For the more adventurous, a “Wild Cave Tour” is an after-hours tour of the cave that is not generally open to the public, complete with climbing and mud. You must be at least 13 years old; long pants, long-sleeve shirts and hiking boots are required for the two-hour tour.
Closer to Eureka Springs is Onyx Cave, discovered in 1891. With its easy walking tour and constant 57-degree temperature, the cave offers a cool summer hike that is accessible for families with small children. For a small fee, you can take a brief self-guided tour with headphones. Onyx Cave is six miles east of Eureka Springs.
Blue Springs
Just 10 minutes from Eureka Springs is the Blue Springs Heritage Center. While the center does not have strenuous hiking, it does have a one-mile hiking trail and a 33-acre garden area to explore. The gardens offer year-round views of northwest Arkansas herbs and flowers, and is a good way to learn to identify plants you see on your hikes in the area.
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