An Overview: Hot Springs and North Mountain Trails
Paved entry point to mountain grit. Easy promenade or strenuous ridge climbs—your call, your fitness.
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Trails
Compare park trails at a glance, then open a trail guide for distance, difficulty, access and trip-planning details.
22 trails Showing 1–22
An Overview: West Mountain Trails
Quiet trails, big elevation. Whittington for strollers, Mountain Top for grit. Wildlife. No crowds.
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Arlington Trail
Quick connector trail. 0.1 miles, 13 feet gain, 5-10 minutes. Perfect warm-up or leg stretch between park areas.
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Canyon Trail
Steep downtown grunt to West Mountain. 0.7mi, 307ft gain—relentless grade, no shade.
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Fountain Trail
Steep 0.2mi connector. Gut-check altitude in 15 minutes. Packed gravel burns quads hard.
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Goat Rock Trail
Goat Rock: 1.1 miles ONE WAY / 2.2 RETURN. Rocky footing and Ouachita views; allow return time.
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Grand Avenue Trail
Quick connector: 0.2 miles, packed gravel, 10–20 minutes. Tactical warm-up or thermal-district access.
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Grand Promenade National Recreation Trail
Paved brick—no grit required. Gateway to Hot Springs' ridge trails.
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Gulpha Gorge Trail
Steep 0.6-mi grind. 438 ft gain. 13.8% grade hammers quads. Poles and water essential.
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Lower Dogwood Trail
Steep 0.7mi one-way mountain grinder to boulder summit. No shade, no water—pack both.
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Oak Trail
Short steep burn. 1-mile out-and-back with punchy middle. Start early, carry water.
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Oertel Trail
Steep 1.4-mile gravel climb, 193ft in 30-60 min. Grit check with scenic payoff.
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Peak Trail
Steep 0.6-miler, relentless 12.6% grade. 40 minutes of pure grit to mountain-top views.
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Pullman Trail
Moderate 0.8mi gravel hike with archeological site. Pack 2L water for Arkansas sun.
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Short Cut Trail
Brutal 0.2mi connector with 223ft gain on loose gravel. One of the park's steepest. 10–25 minutes if you're ready to push.
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Sunset Trail
Sunset Trail: approximately 10 miles one-way; remote terrain and orange-blaze navigation. Full retrace or shorter sections need a separate plan.
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Tufa Terrace Trail
Paved geothermal trail through tufa formations. Watch for stairs. 30-minute thermal education, easy mode.
View guideUpper Dogwood Trail
Easy 1-mile one-way hike, but uneven terrain demands full attention—watch your footing on compact dirt.
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West Mountain Trail
Easy gravel ascent, minimal gain, beginner-friendly. Manage sun exposure and carry water—even short hikes demand respect.
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Whittington Trail
Flat gravel loop for joggers and walkers. Recovery pace, zero technical demands.
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