Author: Scott Hallmark
Hike to Devil’s Tea Table in the Lower Buffalo Wilderness
Hiking to Devil’s Tea Table is one of those Buffalo River experiences that quietly surprises you. The hike to Devil’s Tea Table leads to a massive rock formation perched above the Buffalo River in the Leatherwood Wilderness area of the Ozarks near the small community of Cozahome, Arkansas. From the edge, you get a wide, sweeping view of the river corridor below. Additionally, this area sits ...
Mountain Biking at The Trails at Mena – Ward Lake Trail System
Mountain biking at The Trails at Mena feels both fresh and full of promise. The project sits on the steep side of Rich Mountain and already shows impressive potential. As of December 2025, only the Ward Lake Zone is open, yet it gives a clear glimpse of what is coming. Plans call for four connected zones spread across more than 7,000 acres. Up to 100 miles of singletrack will eventually link the e...
Mountain Biking at Benton Bike Park
Mountain biking at the Benton Bike Park brings a fun and approachable riding experience to Benton, Arkansas. The park features a compact network of purpose-built trails, jump lines, and a dedicated skills area designed for riders of all levels. It blends smart design, creative features, and a layout that encourages progression. Because of this, many riders use it for quick sessions, skill-building...
Mountain Biking at Devil’s Den State Park
Tucked deep within the rugged hills of the Ozarks, Mountain biking at Devil’s Den captures the heart of Arkansas’s outdoor spirit. The Monument Trails at Devil’s Den State Park are part of a growing statewide network of world-class mountain biking destinations. They are designed to highlight both the natural beauty and the technical riding that Arkansas is known for. Like the Monument Trails at Ho...
Turner Bend to Campbell Cemetery on the Mulberry River
Floating Turner Bend to Campbell Cemetery on the Mulberry River had been sitting on my adventure list for years. Having floated the Upper Mulberry stretches from Wolf Pen and High Bank to Turner’s many times, this middle section had been calling to me like an unfinished story. When I finally made the trip, it did not disappoint. I expected it to follow the pattern of many rivers – fast...
Floating Carver to Woolum on the Buffalo River
There’s something truly therapeutic about an overnight float trip on the Buffalo National River. The quiet stillness of the evening, and the crackle of a campfire under a canopy of stars. Sleeping to the sounds of water rushing through nearby shoals. A front row view of a towering bluff with the morning sun peeking over its ridge is one of the best ways to enjoy morning coffee. For those see...
Ozark Campground to Hasty on the Buffalo River
Floating from Ozark Campground to Hasty on the Buffalo National River offers a serene and scenic adventure through the heart of the Ozarks. This is a great option for paddlers that love the Pruitt to Hasty float but would like to add a couple more miles to it. Ozark Campground is two miles upstream from Pruitt Access. The seven mile float from Pruitt to Hasty is one of the more popular day trips o...
Hike to Grapevine Shelter and Blue Hole Cascades
While Grapevine Shelter might not be as widely recognized as some of Arkansas’ more famous natural landmarks, it is a captivating destination for adventurous hikers and waterfall lovers. Located in the Lost Corner area of the Southern Ozarks, this one is a little bit of a hidden gem. Like many other waterfalls in the Lost Corner area, Grapevine Shelter is not found in Tim Ernst’s water...
Hike to Stave Mill Falls and Little Oak Falls
Years ago, I had the opportunity to go trail riding at Mack’s Pines on Hwy 7, north of Dover. And let me tell you, we had an absolute blast doing it. That was years before I had learned the lay of the land when it comes to waterfall hikes. So little did I know that day, that the waterfall we stopped to admire on our ride was actually Stave Mill Falls. And because we entered the trail riding ...
Hike to Devils Canyon Falls
On the rare occasion that I get much further west than the town of Ozark, it’s usually because I’m spending the night somewhere in Northwest Arkansas. It’s a little far for a day trip from Central Arkansas (my home), especially during the short Winter days when I do most of my hiking. So any time I travel to Northwest Arkansas, I try to check one of the waterfall hikes west of Oz...
Hike to Hemmed in Hollow from the Compton Trailhead
In 2020, I made my first visit to Hemmed-in Hollow Falls. Admittedly, I took the short, easy route by making the quick hike from the Buffalo River while on a float trip. I knew about the popular hike to Hemmed in Hollow from the Compton Trailhead, and had heard it was pretty difficult. So after seeing the impressive sight of the falls crashing down into the hollow, I figured I could check this one...
Hiking the Second Route to the Arkansas Sphinx
Some hikes are worth a re-visit. And a second viewing of that iconic monolith perched near the top of Hess Knob – known as the Arkansas Sphinx – is one such hike. There are two hiking routes you can take to the Sphinx. On my first trip there (read here), I opted for the shorter – but much steeper – route from parking area #1. While preparing for that hike, I read an article...
