Arkansas
Nature|Hiking

Hang Glide, Horseback Ride, Or Hike By The Tallest Point in Arkansas

Mount Magazine offers diverse recreational activities including hiking, horseback riding, and hang gliding, with stunning views from Arkansas' tallest mountain.

Published Oct 30, 2020

Written by 

Carol Ann Carson

The recreational options at Mount Magazine have such a variety! Glide, ride, or hike around the tallest mountain in Arkansas. Each mode of transportation will offer gorgeous views and a new perspective to this beloved state park. Get your control bar, reins, or boots ready, and let's take a look around the mountain.

Mount Magazine is easily one of the best state parks in all of Arkansas. However, not everyone fully takes advantage of the park's numerous amenities and activities.

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Getty Images/ Zack Frank / 500px

The park officially opened in 1983 and towers 2,753 feet above sea level. The park is a favorite for weekend family camping and scenic dining at the Skycrest Restaurant. However, there's much more to explore around here!

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One of the many ways to see the mountain is from the sky!

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Flickr/dcp

Anyone with the skills can zip around the mountain via hang glider. Keep in mind this method is only for those with actual hang glide training. It does add quite the upgrade to a normal bucket list, though!

Anyone wanting to glide can check in and learn the guidelines (or should we say glidelines?) at the Visitor Center.

Even if you're not the one in the glider, seeing the daredevils in the sky is quite the sight.

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Facebook/KXIO 106.9

For those of us that would rather stay grounded, looking up and seeing the gliders is still entertaining. The tiny dots zooming through the sky create an even more impressive photo for any sightseers.

If you're needing a milder adventure then pack up on your favorite horse and head to Huckleberry!

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Facebook/The State Parks of Arkansas

The Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail is the premiere equestrian trek in the state park. It begins at the horse camp near the northeast rock quarry and follows an old wagon route for 34 miles. You can learn more about the trail here at the state park website.

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Although it wasn't one of our featured "h" verbs, this trail is also open to ATVs!

The most accessible of these methods around the mountain is hiking.

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Flickr/Anna

The state park has nine trails with miles of gorgeous mountain views. The one "must-do" trail while you're here is Signal Hill. The 1.5-mile long trail takes you to the very highest point in Arkansas. You can even enjoy a celebratory dance on top of the trail's 400-sq. ft. stone map!

No matter if you hang glide, horseback ride, or hike - Mount Magazine will reward its trekkers with the most stunning views!

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Facebook/The State Parks of Arkansas

Pick a path that's right for your needs and prepare for adventure! As always, leave no trace and research the area more before heading out. The State Parks of Arkansas website has plenty of helpful information for trip planning.

What's your preferred method to look around Mount Magazine? Share your adventures with us in the comments below! You can always share your trip photos to our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.

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Nature|Hiking

The Iconic Trail in Arkansas Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

You'll love this hike to this incredible waterfall in Arkansas. It's truly unique!

Published Oct 15, 2024

Written by 

Christy Articola
Colorful shot of the Glory Hole Waterfall at the end of the Glory Hole Waterfall Trail in Arkansas
Kaleb Hensley/AllTrails.com

If you have an hour to spare, then you have enough time to hike this iconic waterfall trail in Arkansas. Glory Hole Waterfall is beautiful and unique. This waterfall is like none you've ever visited before and it's worth the moderately challenging hike it takes to reach it.

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The trail to Glory Hole Waterfall is an out-and-back trail that's a little under a mile long in each direction. Unlike many trails you'll encounter in Arkansas and elsewhere, this trail is downhill on the way out and is uphill on the way back, but it's not super tough - it only requires 400 feet of elevation gain altogether.

The trailhead for the Glory Hole Waterfall Trail is just a few miles south of Edwards Junction. The parking area is on Highway 16 and it will be on your left as you travel south. Be sure to keep an eye out for it, as it's not well-marked. Although this trail and waterfall are quite popular, you'll find plenty of parking.

The trail itself is fairly flat and wide to start out, but as it starts to descend, it will become narrower. Along your journey, you'll pass interesting rock formations. The trail can be a bit rocky, and it can also be slippery, so it's wise to wear hiking boots, and you may want a walking stick to help you with the steep scramble toward the end.

Glory Hole Waterfall is interesting and different. Instead of water cascading over a ledge, it instead descends from a hole in the rock. When it's really running hard, it looks like someone has turned on a faucet above it. If you want to be sure to see Glory Hole Waterfall in action, it's best to hike to it in the spring or fall, especially after there's been a good rain. The hike is lovely even when the waterfall is dry, but if it's the waterfall you want to see, you'll have to visit it under the proper conditions.

This waterfall is very unusual. If you decide to explore the area above the waterfall, use extreme caution, as it's easy and dangerous to slip into the water flow here. When the waterfall is dry, you can look through the circular hole from above or below and get some cool photos.

The Ozark - St. Francis National Forest is absolutely spectacular and the Glory Hole Waterfall is just one of many adventures that you can enjoy within its boundaries. This is the true heart of Arkansas and there are countless trails to explore and waterfalls to see. Start your visit to this region with a hike to Glory Hole Waterfall and you'll be inspired to dive in and see the rest of this incredible area. Have a great time!

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Nature|Hiking

The 1.5-Mile Hiking Trail in Arkansas that is a Fall Foliage Wonderland

Witness the Ozarks come ablaze at the King’s River Overlook Trail in Huntsville, AR. This fall foliage wonderland in Arkansas belongs on your list.

Published Sep 27, 2024

Written by 

Melanie Johnson

We are so excited for the cooler, crisper weather that’s fast approaching. Soon the trees in Arkansas will be set ablaze with the vibrant colors of fall. If you want to see the best of the season this year, come with us to the McIlroy State Game Management Area in Huntsville to hike the King’s River Overlook Trail. As you witness the burnt oranges, the brilliant yellow and red hues of this fall foliage wonderland in Arkansas, you’ll see why autumn is the best time to explore the state.   

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What we love the most about the King’s River Overlook Trail is that it’s a short easy 1.5-mile trek that is quite rewarding. Not only will you have a scenic overlook to sit and enjoy the seasonal vistas, but you’ll also have views of the river. 

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Gez Rogers/AllTrails

The hike takes you along the bluff overlooking Kings River, so there will be plenty of spots to take in the views. With only a low elevation gain and no difficult obstacles to tackle, you won’t need hiking boots for this well–maintained trail. But we do recommend that you bring your binoculars because this trail is great for birdwatching. If you get lucky, you can spot bald eagles flying or nesting along the river. Even if the wildlife isn't abundant when you visit this fall, you won’t be disappointed as the views are enough reason to head on this adventure. There’s nothing like the rolling hills of the Ozarks ablaze with awe-inspiring autumn hues, and you’ll have one of the best seats in the house at the overlook.

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Gez Rogers/AllTrails

While we prefer this trek during the fall, the overlook is pretty no matter the season. In the summer, you can enjoy lush Ozark greenery as far as the eye can see, and in the winter, it transforms into a snowy wonderland, which is also spectacular.  

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Rob Irick/AllTrails

For more adventure, you’ll want to explore the 14,000 acres inside the McIlroy State Game Management Area. Plus, there is even a waterfall that you can access from the trail that is worth seeing. If you plan on exploring the area, we recommend that you download AllTrails for easy navigation as you meander through the forest. 

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Todd Lane/AllTrails

Since the trail is an easy trek, you can bring the dog and the kids along for this hike. The pups will love that they can be off leash at certain spots on the trail. One thing to note is that you’ll need to drive on an unpaved road to get to the parking lot, so we recommend a vehicle that can handle the terrain.  

So, this year, if you’re searching for a destination to see the best of the autumn season, grab your entire family to hike this fall foliage wonderland in Arkansas. The jaw-dropping views of the brilliant autumn colors will leave you speechless.

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