Hiking

Greers Ferry is home to 3 National Nature Trails and one multi-purpose, fitness trail.

1) Buckeye National Nature Trail

660 feet round trip.

The 660-foot long Buckeye Trail was constructed in conjunction with the Mossy Bluff Trail to provide a quality trail experience for persons who are not physically able to negotiate the more difficult areas.

The trail is accessible to wheelchairs. Two picnic tables enable those who use this trail to enjoy a meal under the forest canopy.

Two vista points provide lofty views of the area downstream of the dam. For the seeing impaired, a large print guide and a Braille guide are available at the Visitor Center. The trailhead is located a short distance from the Center.

2) Collins Creek Trail

Approximately 3000’ long.

Collins Creek was a 1135 Cost Share Project between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission for habitat restoration of Brook Trout. By piping water from the dam to the creek, a continuous stream is provided for trout reproduction. A nature trail was also constructed alongside the stream with a portion handicap accessible. This project provides an opportunity for anglers of all ages to participate. For rules and regulations pertaining to Collins Creek fishing, visit the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website.

3) Josh Park Memorial Trail

This multi-purpose trail, located within the boundary of Dam Site Park, features a primary trail length of 6,485 feet. It features a vault toilet, drinking water, picnic area and fitness station at the trailhead.

It is home to a large, multi-school cross-country meet held every fall. The trailhead is located just off of Hwy 25B North, just north of Heber Springs, AR.

4) Mossy Bluff National Natural Trail

1.6 mile round trip - approximately 45 minutes hiking time.

This beautiful trail follows along a wooded bluff overlooking the Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam. Different points of interest such as two different trees that have grown together as one, lichens role in "primary succession", a balanced rock caused by the process of "weathering", and many other occurrences in nature can be seen on the trail. At the end of the trail are approximately 96 steps leading up to a spectacular overlook above the Little Red River and the Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery. The trail can be accessed just outside the Visitor Center.

5) Sugar Loaf National Nature Trail

1.6 miles round trip - approximately 2 hours hiking time.

Sugar Loaf Mountain Nature Trail is a foot trail built by employees of the Greers Ferry Project Office of the Corps of Engineers’ Little Rock District. Since Sugar Loaf Mountain is an island located on the western end of the upper lake, the trail can only be reached by boat. The nearest marinas are Sugar Loaf and Fairfield Bay.

At the water’s edge where the trail begins is a courtesy dock. In this same area, a large information sign provides a map of the trail. From this point, visitors can walk leisurely along the winding path. Numerous rest stops along the trail allow visitors to set their own pace while enjoying the panoramic view.

Visitors begin their trek to Sugar Loaf Mountain in the spring, when wildflowers in the lower elevations are beginning to bloom. They increase in numbers during the summer, when hiking and sight-seeking are at their best. Then comes the fall season, when the whole area glows with radiant color as frost-touched leaves take on the flaming hues that foretell the coming of winter.

As you ascend the winding trail, you will be spellbound by the variety of vegetation and sandstone formations. Tree roots form a natural deterrent to erosion. The trail is well drained even after heavy rainfalls.

Sugar Loaf Mountain is the result of a long erosional and weathering process. The rock which forms the top of the mountain has served as a protective cap for the underlying softer shale and sandstone. The flat-topped surface and nearly vertical walls are characteristic of an erosional process referred to as pedimentation. The rocks forming the mountain are more than 300 million years old.

As you approach the top of the climb, you encounter silhouettes of red cedars reaching toward the sky. Throughout the climb, you’ll be seeing sassafras, mimosa, redbud, sumac, red oak, winged elm, black gum, persimmon, pecan, sweet gum, red maple, and mint trees. Mingled among the trees are wild grape, saw brier, huckleberry, blackberry, wild azalea, summer grape, prickly pear cactus, blackberry, possum grape and muscadine.

In the rustle of leaves on the forest floor, you might see a lizard, a chipmunk, or a land terrapin with its bright orange-spotted black front legs. The island is a game refuge. Deer have been observed making their way to the island from the mainland. The many cave and crevices in the sandstone house an abundance of wildlife. Raccoons, opossums, fox, mink, bobcat, rabbits, squirrels, armadillos, turkeys, beaver, and numerous species of birds inhabit the island’s forest.

The trail attracts many visitors each year. Boy and Girl Scout troops, bird watchers, naturalists, church and school groups, families and individuals all come to enjoy the unlimited adventure of Sugar Loaf Mountain.

For more information on hiking at Greers Ferry, visit the website below:
http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/parks/greersferry/hiking.htm