Every Beavers Bend hiking trail, ranked by what they're actually good for

Beavers Bend has 6 official trails and a handful of unofficial ones. Here's how they actually rank.

1. CEDAR BLUFF TRAIL — 2 miles, moderate, ~90 min The best overall trail for first-time visitors. Sandstone bench overlook at the end faces west; the light at 5 PM is unmatched in October. Some elevation but doable for kids 8+. Park at the Cedar Bluff trailhead.

2. SKYLINE TRAIL — 4.5 miles, hard, ~3 hours Highest point in the park. Best views of the surrounding Ouachita National Forest. Steep climbs, root-heavy descents. For experienced hikers. Start by 9 AM in summer.

3. DAVID BOREN NATURE TRAIL — 1 mile, easy, ~30 min The best trail for young kids and older walkers. Flat, well-marked, starts behind the Nature Center. Snake exhibit and museum on the same stop.

4. LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN TRAIL — 3 miles, moderate, ~2 hours The middle option. Less dramatic than Cedar Bluff but more solitude. Good for a second-day hike.

5. FRIENDS TRAIL — 5 miles, moderate, ~3 hours The quietest trail. Loops through pine forest with several stream crossings. Few crowds even on holiday weekends. Best if you've already done Cedar Bluff.

6. BEAVER LODGE TRAIL — 1.5 miles, easy, ~45 min Walking trail more than hiking trail. Paved sections. Good for stretching legs after a long drive.

UNOFFICIAL / OFF-MAP

The Old CCC Trail — unmarked grade behind the campground. Look for the rock cairn at the second pull-off past the spillway. 20-min walk to a sandstone bench.

Beaver Pond Loop — take the right fork at the second junction off Cedar Bluff. Loops around a beaver pond. Best at dawn for wildlife.

Pine Ridge Connector — walk north from the back of the Nature Center parking lot. Worn path, no signage. Links back to the lake's north shore.

FEES & RULES $10 vehicle fee to enter the park (covers all trails). Dogs allowed on every trail on leash. No bikes on most trails (paved paths only). No camping outside designated sites.

WHAT TO BRING Water (1L per person minimum in summer), real hiking shoes (the sandstone is slippery when wet), bug spray May–September, layers in spring/fall.

WHAT TO SKIP Cedar Bluff at midday in summer (hot, no shade). Skyline in winter ice (steep + slick = no). The 'haunted' night-hike tours marketed on the strip — they're not real hikes.