Arkansas · Hiking

Bluff Mtn

Bluff MtnPhoto: azoeart, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.0 mi
round trip
550 ft
climb
1,221 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Bluff Mtn open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ouachita National Forest. It doesn't name Bluff Mtn, so check the source for the area it covers (5 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Ouachita National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bluff Mtn is a short, easy out-and-back hike in the Caddo Ranger District of Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 2 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 550 feet, and it reaches a high point of 1,221 feet. The climb is steepest at about 0.66 miles in, where the grade reaches 14 percent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 69°F with lows near 52°F, and April is similar at about 69°F by day and 50°F at night. Summer runs hotter, with July highs near 87°F. The Little Missouri Trail-North mountain biking route starts just 0.1 mile away. The Viles Branch Horse Trail and the Little Missouri River are both within about 2.5 miles. Shady Lake campground is roughly 8.4 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Bluff Mtn

    Best months: March–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      47° / 32°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      53° / 35°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 42°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      69° / 50°

      9 wet

    5. May

      74° / 59°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      81° / 66°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 69°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 69°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 62°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      69° / 52°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      58° / 42°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      50° / 34°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Big Fk 1 Sse, AR, 9 mi away at 1,200 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Viles Branch Horse TrailPhoto: azoeart, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Viles Branch Horse Trail

~4 min drive

3.40-mile out-and-back horse trail in Arkansas with 658 ft gain.

Athens-Bigfork SouthPhoto: azoeart, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Athens-Bigfork South

~10 min drive

2.92-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 605 ft elevation gain

Caney CreekPhoto: thigpen.robert, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Caney Creek

~28 min drive

19.20-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 1,308 ft gain.

HIKE

Viles Branch

~5 min drive

46.6-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 1,749 ft elevation gain.

Wolf Pen Gap 8Photo: thigpen.robert, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Wolf Pen Gap 8

~25 min drive

9.38-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 603 ft elevation gain.

Wolf Pen Gap 6 EastPhoto: thigpen.robert, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Wolf Pen Gap 6 East

~21 min drive

6.62-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 368 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Little Missouri North

~11 min drive

6.40-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 631 ft gain and 760 ft loss.

Crystal TrailPhoto: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Crystal Trail

~27 min drive

1.7-mile out-and-back hike in Arkansas with 975 ft elevation gain.

Wolf Pen Gap 826Photo: thigpen.robert, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Wolf Pen Gap 826

~22 min drive

Wolf Pen Gap 826 is a 1.16-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 210 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Athens-Big Fork North

~12 min drive

19.38-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 2,630 ft elevation gain.