Hiking - Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area
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Brushy Creek Nature Trail
Length: 3/4 mile
Time: 1/2 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Description: This trail begins in the parking lot of the Brushy Creek Recreational Area off of Hwy. 246, 8 miles east of Vandervoort, AR. The trail follows along a ridge top that overlooks the confluence of Brushy Creek and the Cossatot River. The trail also features a guided tree trail where visitors can learn about the different species of trees of southwest Arkansas and their uses. Also featured on this trail is a steel walkway that spans the river and offers barrier-free access from the west side parking lot. This walkway also allows visitors to walk from the west side of the river to the east side parking lot where both picnic grounds and a swimming area are located.
Location: Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area is south of Mena. The northern route is via Hwy. 246 between Vandervoort and Athens. The southern route is via U.S. 278 between Wickes and Umpire.
Harris Creek Trail
Length: 3 miles
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: The Harris Creek Trail is located off of Hwy. 278, approximately 9 miles east of Wickes, AR. This trail features easy to moderately difficult walking that passes through six different habitats that range from a dry open shale pit to a mature shortleaf pine/hardwood forest. Half way through the trail there is an overlook that offers a spectacular view of the Cossatot River as it winds its way through the Ouachita Mountains.
Location: Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area is south of Mena. The northern route is via Hwy. 246 between Vandervoort and Athens. The southern route is via U.S. 278 between Wickes and Umpire.
River Corridor Trail
Length: 14.5 miles
Time: 20 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Additional Trail Information: Starting December 1st, 2008 and through the winter months, park staff will be making improvements to the trail tread. During this time expect to see some areas under construction and you may find a few more people working out there. The trail is not closed but we wanted everyone to be aware of the progress being made.
Description: The River Corridor Trail head is located off of Hwy. 246, approximately 8 miles east of Vandervoort, AR. This trail is a linear trail that winds its way through some of the roughest, yet most scenic, terrain found in the Ouachita Mountains. The trail is broken up into sections according to the river access areas. Plan for approximately six-eight hours per leg. This trail is excellent for backpacking, but park management asks that hikers limit their camping to the access areas, (Ed Banks, Sandbar, Cossatot Falls and Hwy. 278 Access Area.) Parking is available at each of the access areas if you do not wish to hike the entire trail. Along the way you will observe many wonderful views of the river corridor and its geological features. The terminus for this trail is the Hwy. 278 Access Area.
Location: Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area is south of Mena. The northern route is via Hwy. 246 between Vandervoort and Athens. The southern route is via U.S. 278 between Wickes and Umpire.
Waterleaf Interpretive Trail
Length: 1/2 mile
Time: 3/4 Hour
Difficulty: Easy
Description: The Waterleaf Interpretive Trail has ¼ loop that is ADA accessible and is located just east of the VIC parking lot. The ADA section has wayside exhibits to assist visitors with their understanding of this area. The second section of the trail (not ADA accessible) leads off the North Slope for ¼ mile to the Highway 278 access. Excellent example of forest types found along north slopes in the Ouachita Mountains.
For Information:
1980 Highway 278,
West Wickes,
AR
71973
, (870) 385-2201
cossatotriver@arkansas.com
- Contact Information
- 1980 Highway 278 West
Wickes, AR 71973
- Email: cossatotriver@arkansas.com)
- 870-385-2201
- ArkansasStateParks.com
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