Ten amazing hikes near Eureka Springs, AR, are all within a one-hour drive. If you’re looking for the perfect excuse to get outside and immerse yourself in nature, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes around. With rolling hills, towering trees, and endless trails, it’s no wonder hiking is a favorite activity in the area. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, plenty of amazing hikes near Eureka Springs are sure to please. So, let’s lace up our boots and explore the top ten hikes near Eureka Springs. Remember to take some great maps because cell phone connectivity is only sometimes reliable. At Tall Pines Inn we can provide you with maps produced by Parks and Rec that store easily in your pocket. If we don’t have the correct map, we can print the ones you need and send you on your way.

Easy Hikes

Kings River Falls Trail: Located just an hour’s drive from Eureka Springs, Kings River Falls Trail is an easy hike that takes you through breathtaking forests and up to waterfalls. The trail is 1.8 miles long and will take you along a picturesque pathway and ends with a scenic shelf waterfall flowing into a little swimming hole. This hike is typically considered easy in difficulty and takes one to one and a half hours to complete. This interesting trek winds through dense foliage, landscape, falls, and swimming holes. Take time to ditch the shoes and enjoy a refreshing dip in the freshwater.

Black Bass Lake Trail: Located just minutes from downtown Eureka Springs, Black Bass Lake Trail winds its way around the eponymous lake. The trail is easy in difficulty and takes a half hour to one hour to complete. While hiking this trail, you will enjoy lush forests, babbling brooks, and a scenic overlook. If you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a fish jumping or a Beaver scooting across the water.

Additional Easy Hikes to Check Out

Eureka Springs Loop: The Eureka Springs Loop is the ideal choice if you want to get a real sense of Eureka Springs and its surrounding landscapes. This loop trail is 2.7 miles long and takes over one hour to complete. The path is easy in difficulty, ensuring that it offers something for everyone, regardless of physical fitness. The Eureka Springs Loop encapsulates the natural beauty and charm of the area and is excellent for walking, birding, or hiking.

Hyde Hollow Trail: If you’re still hungry for more, the Hyde Hollow Trail offers a fantastic hiking experience. Situated only a short drive from Eureka Springs, this trail immerses you in the diverse landscape of the Ozarks. The trail is a little over two miles out and back and includes a variety of terrains. On this trek, you may find wildlife, some water sources, and tranquil woodland paths. This is a perfect trail for hiking, running, or just taking in a little peace and quiet. Take a moment to appreciate the serene ambiance and listen to the harmonious sounds of nature. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just starting out, the Hyde Hollow Trail promises a satisfying adventure.

Easy to Moderate Hikes

Lake Leatherwood Loop: For those yearning for a rewarding challenge, the Lake Leatherwood Loop comes highly recommended. This hike is moderate in difficulty, with a 2.5-mile loop providing an invigorating experience for those seeking a workout. The trail offers diverse terrains and fascinating surrounding landscapes, keeping the journey as captivating as the destination. Dogs are certainly welcome on this trail and can enjoy the freedom of being off-leash.

Eureka Springs Natural Springs Trail: Fresh Springs of Eureka Springs attracts visitors far and wide, curious about stories of “healing waters.” One of the most interesting and fun hikes in Eureka Springs is trekking from one Fresh Spring to the next. Some are more interesting than others, but each provides some history about Eureka Springs.

A few top picks:

  • Crescent Spring: Crescent Spring Park, on Spring Street near the Carnegie Library, has a beautiful Victorian-like gazebo and characteristic rock walls. The healing waters of the Crescent Spring is well known.
  • Grotto Spring: The words “Esto Perpetua” were engraved on a stone above the entrance to the Grotto Spring, declaring the healing waters would flow there forever. The Grotto Spring feels cave-like with a slippery floor, but it is an amazing place to behold.
  • Magnetic Spring: Venture along Magnetic Road on the way to the Passion Play, and you will drive by Magnetic Spring, where you will find a pavilion dedicated to this beautiful spring worth pulling over for. This fresh spring is one of the most impressive springs preserved in the area.
concrete planters leading down concrete steps into a small cave and spring. surrounded by trees and green vegetation
Grotto Spring
looking up into a cave in the side of a hill with concrete steps leading into it and surrounded by green vegetation
Magnetic Spring
Moderate to Difficult Hikes

Starlite North Trail: Another challenging little trek is the Starlite N trek, a 1.3-mile loop trail near Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Generally, this hike is a moderately challenging route, taking an average of 35 min to complete. Remember that this is a difficult trail, and you may encounter obstacles you need to maneuver around. This trail is excellent for hiking and walking and is typically a more solitary hike. Dogs are welcome, but they must be on leash at all times.

Dogwood Trail: Another moderately challenging loop trail on our list of ten amazing hikes is the Dogwood Trail. This trek is a doable 1.4-mile loop that takes an average of 50 min to complete. The trail begins at the Beaver Dam site overlook area that is surrounded by flowering Dogwood trees in Springtime. Along this hike, some of the sites you may experience include spectacular overlooks, beautiful geographic landscapes, and large bluff shelters along Beaver Lake. You will cross over the highway and reach a resting point where you will find a bench. You will then wind under bluffs that lead back to the beginning of the trail.

Hawksbill Crag (Whitaker Point) Trail: Hawksbill Crag is a true treasure deep in the Ozark National Forest of Arkansas. One of the most iconic hikes near Eureka Springs, the Hawksbill Crag Trail is a challenging trek that takes you to an awe-inspiring viewpoint. The trail is 2.7 miles long, out and back, and takes you through dense forests and along rocky outcroppings. Scores of hikers pass one another every year in their quest to visit this breathtaking rocky viewpoint. Hikers going up will likely meet several hikers returning down, and dogs are welcome on leash.

This famous place on the Whitaker's Point trail is the number 1 most photographed spot in Arkansas. A male hiker enjoys the view standing hundreds of feet above the Ozark mountains forest below.
Other Trail Types for Bikes

The Passion Play Trails: While the Passion Play Trails are not typically hiking trails, they are great trails to check out on a mountain bike. Each trail is graded on mountain biking difficulty, and they offer a fun and challenging ride for the mountain bike enthusiast. There are more than 15 miles of mountain biking trails and multiple skill levels. Trail descriptions are available for all trails and should be reviewed for difficulty before embarking. You will find maps with biking trails that are color-coded, and each trail bears a bible name.

  • GREEN=Beginner
  • BLUE=Intermediate
  • BLACK=Expert
Conclusion

Eureka Springs is a paradise for hikers, with many trails winding through some of the most beautiful landscapes. These ten amazing hikes offer many hiking options for every experience level. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging trek, there’s something for everyone in Eureka Springs. So, grab your hiking boots, hit the trails, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Ozarks.