Arkansas · Hiking

Butterfield Hiking Trail

15.0 mi
loop
1,746 ft
climb
1,775 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Butterfield Hiking Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. It doesn't name Butterfield Hiking Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (9 listed).

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

Butterfield Hiking Trail is a 15-mile moderate hike in the Boston Mountain Ranger District of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest in Arkansas. It rises from about 1,000 feet to a high point of roughly 1,775 feet, with a total elevation gain of 1,746 feet and a loss of about 2,258 feet over the course of the route. The trail is managed by the Forest Service, and the climb is steepest near mile 12, where the grade reaches about 26%. The trail is open to both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and equestrians as well as hikers. A typical hike takes about six hours. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs near 72°F in April to about 74°F in October. That station sits about 1,000 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Several shorter hikes sit within about two miles of the trail, including the Easy Pine Outer Loop West, Easy Pine Loop East and the West Outer Loop. Lee Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 2.5 miles away.

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

    Best time to visit Butterfield Hiking Trail

    Best months: March–May 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

      49° / 26°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      54° / 29°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      63° / 37°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      72° / 46°

      9 wet

    5. May

      79° / 55°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      87° / 64°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      92° / 67°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      91° / 66°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      84° / 58°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      74° / 47°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 36°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 29°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mountainburg 2 Ne, AR, 9.3 mi away at 793 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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