Hiking - Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area
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Hidden Diversity Multi-Use Trail
Length: 21 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Additional Trail Information: These 4 loops make up the Hidden Diversity Multi-use Trail:
Little Clifty Creek Loop - 9 miles,
War Eagle Loop - 5 miles, with one mile of connecting trail,
Bashore Ridge Loop - 3 miles,
Dutton Hollow Loop - 3 miles
Description: The north center section of this trail is only one-half mile south of the Pigeon Roost Trail. The same plant and animal species can be seen on both trails. The theme for this park is not one large mountain, lake, river, forest, historical event or the myriad of plants and animals above and below the ground. It is the sum of all of these. It is diversity. "Hobbs....The Hidden Diversity."
Location: The main trail head is 2 miles south of Highway 12 on Townsend Ridge Road. A smaller, satellite trail head is located 1 1/2 miles south of Hwy 12 on Piney Road.
Comments: Elevation gain: 200-300 feet. Users have the option of one or more trail sections or loops. Much of the trail follows ridge tops and ridge rims with intermittent hills to climb throughout the trail system. The trails are open year 'round except during extremely wet conditions when they are closed to all but foot traffic. Please call the park for trail conditions and closings. (479) 789-2380
Historic Van Winkle Trail
Length: 1/2 mile
Time: 1/2 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Brochure: Available at visitor center
Additional Trail Information: The Historic Van Winkle Trail is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Description: The trail head parking lot, with restrooms, is located approximately 10 miles east of Rogers, AR, U.S. Hwy. 12. Walkers and Hikers can access historic area via tunnel under Hwy. 12. Interpretive sign panels describe the historic home and mill sites of the Peter Van Winkle family during and after the Civil War. Also, there is a beautiful stream, spring and raised garden site. Only some rock foundation stones remain of buildings. Guided tours available.
NOTE: There is no access from this trail or its parking lot to the Hidden Diversity, Multi-Use trail.
Pigeon Roost Trail
Length: 8 1/2 miles
Time: Allow 8-9 hours total hiking time
Difficulty: Moderate
Brochure: Available as indicated below
Description: The trailhead parking lot is located on the north side of State 12, about 7/10 mile east of War Eagle Road (Benton County 98). There is a restroom that can be seen at the trail head. Park vehicles straight ahead off the highway, to the left of the gate.
The trail is a double stacked-loop trail; there is a short loop of approximately 4 miles for day hiking and a longer loop of 8.5 miles for overnight use. Primitive camping is allowed on the longer loop at five designated campsites only. These campsites, on a ridge overlooking Beaver Lake, are available on a first-come basis. Please contact the Ranger at the phone number listed below to determine if there will be a campsite available.
The trail is fairly short for an overnight trail, but there are several hills to climb which give the trail its difficulty rating. From the parking lot, the trail begins straight ahead down the ridgeline. This is an access spur which follows the ridgeline for about 1/2 mile, then drops off the ridge to the west to the bottom of a hollow where it intersects with the loop. At this point, you can go either left or right; however, the hiking is a bit easier if you take the left fork. The trail winds through narrow hollows and up and along rugged ridges. It travels through stands of native pines, hardwoods, and typical Ozark vegetation. During leaf-off, there are several locations which offer great views of the Van Hollow branch of Beaver Lake.
At present, small game, turkey and deer hunting is allowed in the area.
Guidebooks are available at most Northwest Arkansas outfitting and/or sporting goods stores.
Location: Thirteen miles east of Rogers on Hwy. 12
Comments: Moderate - Strenuous
Shaddox Hollow Nature Trail
Length: 1 1/2 miles
Time: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Description: The trailhead parking lot is located off Hwy. 303, approximately one mile from the intersection on the north side of Hwy. 12. The first 1/2 mile of this loop trail follows a ridgeline, providing an easy hike. A scenic vista provides an overlook of Beaver Lake. The trail then descends into Shaddox Hollow. The descent is rather steep in places. The trail winds along the creek through stands of hardwoods and native Ozark vegetation. Some interesting limestone bluffs are found along this section. After progressing up the creek, the trail begins the climb back to the trailhead. This climb can be strenuous in places.
Location: 10 miles east of Rogers on Hwy. 12, which bisects the park property
For Information:
Park Superintendent,
21392 Hwy. 12 East,
Rogers,
AR
72756
, (479) 789-2380
hobbs@arkansas.com
- Contact Information
- 20201 East Highway 12
Rogers, AR 72756
- Email: hobbs@arkansas.com)
- 479-789-5000
- ArkansasStateParks.com
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