Things to Do at Mount Magazine State Park
Best Hiking in Arkansas
Mount Magazine State Park offers some of the best hiking in Arkansas along with a variety of Arkansas outdoor adventure activities. Explore the Arkansas mountain biking trails, hang gliding locations and more! Hikers can take a hike on the Signal Hill Trail, or the Greenfield, Benefield, Mossback Ridge, or Will Apple's Road Trails and explore the many natural and historical resources of the mountain as well as stunning views of Bear Hollow, the Arkansas River Valley and Blue Mountain Lake. Hiking trails vary in length from .5 to 2.8 miles. The total trails system in the park is 14.2 miles.
In addition, the park trails link to the USDA Forest Service's 9.7-mile Cove Lake Trail and 34-mile Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail that lead into the adjacent Ozark National Forest. They can be enjoyed in as little as one hour, or for as long as an overnight trip on our Arkansas backpacking trails, making it possible to enjoy some of the best hiking in Arkansas for as long as you'd like.
The Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail is the park's only multi-use trail and one of the best places for horseback riding in Arkansas. Here ATVs, hikers, bikers, and horse riders can follow the trail to the park boundary and continue into the national forest for 34 miles of some of the best hiking in Arkansas and the most scenic and rugged landscape in the state.
Whether you're looking for strenuous, multi-day hikes or great views of Blue Mountain Lake, hiking trail maps are available at the Mount Magazine State Park visitor center or the Magazine Ranger District office located at 3001 East Walnut Street in Paris.
Arkansas Backpacking Trails
If you’re backpacking in Arkansas, you have a few trails to choose from at Mount Magazine. The Cove Lake Trail leaves the north end of the park and goes down the mountain nine miles to Cove Lake, a USDA Forest Service Recreation Area. Backpacking is allowed outside the state park on this trail.
Huckleberry Mountain Trail is a fine example of the many multi-use Arkansas backpacking trails, 34 miles in length, used for Arkansas mountain biking, horseback riders, ATVs and backpacking. There are three loops that cross creeks and connect Mount Magazine with Huckleberry Mountain. Camping is allowed on the portions of trail within the Ozark National Forest, perfect for anyone backpacking in Arkansas.