The weather in Arkansas has been perfect lately for hiking. There’s been just enough rain to keep most of the waterfalls flowing. But also lots of sunny days for those great vista view hikes. I love a hike that has both. A great one for that – one of my old favorites – is the Mt Nebo Rim Trail.
Mt Nebo is a popular Arkansas State Park near Dardanelle in the Arkansas River Valley. They have quite a few different trails to hike or mountain bike. You’ll pass several trailheads as you drive to the top. Most of the State Park’s facilities are at the top of the mountain. This includes the visitor center, swimming pool, campground, and cabins. There are also some nice private homes and cabins up there.
The whole park can be seen by car, from Sunrise Point to Sunset Point. But the best experience is to hike one of the trails. I recommend starting with the Rim Trail. It is the highest elevation with the best views. And of all their trails, it is the easiest accesses to the waterfalls.
Directions
Mt Nebo is located about 20 minutes south of I40, halfway between Little Rock and Ft. Smith. This is one that Google maps will lead you right to. Just search for Mt Nebo State Park and follow it to the visitor center. Go inside and ask if the falls are flowing. At the back of the visitor center, follow the signs to the Rim Trail.
What to Expect
The Mt Nebo Rim Trail is a 3 mile loop. It is a moderate hike with a little bit of elevation change, but no major climbs. It is a rocky trail that dips and rises, and winds it’s way around the top of the mountain. In my opinion, it’s one of the most photogenic hikes in the state.
Man, that view though! Pretty much every point along the trail has an incredible view. To the north and east, you get great views of Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River Valley. To the south and west, you can see miles and miles into the Ouachita Mountains. In addition to the view, you’ll see plenty of other sights along the way. There are some impressive bluffs and rock formations. There are also some small caves and a trail that leads to a waterfall. A large herd of deer live on top of the mountain. I’ve never been there and not seen them. If you go on the right day, there’s also a good chance you’ll see a hang glider or two. Be sure to take a break at Sunrise Point. Hang out there a bit to see if any hang gliders show up. It’s also one of the best spots for pictures.
Waterfall/ Gum Springs Trail
On the West Side of the mountain, the trail crosses along the top of where the waterfall starts. The Gum Springs Trail will take you down the mountain to the bottom of the waterfall. It doesn’t add much distance to the hike and is well worth taking if the falls are flowing. It is a bit of climb coming back up. The waterfall area also has a parking lot. So if you wanted to drive to it at another time, that’s a good option too.
Plan Your Trip
The best time to hike the Mt Nebo Rim Trail is in the Fall or Spring when it’s not too hot and the waterfall is most likely flowing. With the views from the top, it’s a great place to see the Fall colors in the mountains. In the summer, this trail gets really hot. The sun really beats down on those bluffs and a lot of the trail has no shade cover. Take some water on this hike, and take extra in the summer. Sunscreen is a good idea too. Plan on hiking anywhere from 2-4 hours. It is rocky, so wear some good hiking boots or shoes. The visitor center has some snacks and drinks if you need them, and nice bathrooms.
Mt Nebo is a good spot to spend a day, or make a whole weekend out of it. They have a nice campground with bathrooms and showers. Campers over 24 feet are not allowed. They will not make it up all the switchbacks. The park also has some great cabins with incredible views along the Rim Trail.
My top recommendation here is to spend at least one night. Make it a point to get up early to see the sun come up at Sunrise Point. Equally beautiful is to watch it go down at Sunset Point. These will be among some of the best pictures you’ll take in Arkansas.
In case it’s not obvious, I’m a little partial to this hike and the area. So take care of it! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints. I hope you like these pics from some of my hikes there. Thanks for reading!
Click images to enlarge
