Arkansas · Hiking

Crystal Scenic

1.0 mi
loop
93 ft
climb
1,209 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Crystal Scenic open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ouachita National Forest. It doesn't name Crystal Scenic, 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.

Crystal Scenic is an easy, 1-mile loop hike on natural surface in the Caddo Ranger District of Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas. The trail starts at about 1,206 feet and rises to a high point of 1,209 feet, with the steepest stretch around 0.28 miles in, where the grade reaches 7%. The climb is gentle overall, with a total gain of 93 feet and a loss of 70 feet across the loop. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mt Ida show October highs around 73°F with lows near 46°F, and April highs around 71°F. That station sits about 500 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the higher parts of the route run cooler. The hike takes about half an hour to complete. Crystal Trail is about 3 miles away, and the Caddo/Womble Ranger District lakes fishing area is about 4 miles off. Lovit - Holly Spur is roughly 8 miles away, and the South Fork Ouachita River, a canoeing route, is about 8.5 miles from the trail.

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 Crystal Scenic

    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

      50° / 28°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      55° / 31°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      63° / 38°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 46°

      10 wet

    5. May

      77° / 56°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 65°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 68°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      90° / 67°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 59°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 46°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      62° / 37°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 30°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mt Ida 3 Se, AR, 3.2 mi away at 697 ft. The station sits about 500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

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

Crystal Trail

~5 min drive

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

BRUSHY MOUNTAINPhoto: SlapTheWorld, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

BRUSHY MOUNTAIN

~31 min drive

2.0-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 684 ft elevation gain.

Brushy CreekPhoto: SlapTheWorld, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Brushy Creek

~31 min drive

7.20-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 641 ft elevation gain.

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LAKE OUACHITA VISTA TRAIL

~24 min drive

1.92-mile out-and-back hike at Lake Ouachita with 5,565 ft elevation gain/loss

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

Viles Branch Horse Trail

~36 min drive

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

Bluff MtnPhoto: azoeart, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Bluff Mtn

~32 min drive

2.00-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 441 ft elevation gain.

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Womble Trail

~17 min drive

10.35-mile out-and-back hike in Arkansas with 1,211 ft gain

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Viles Branch

~37 min drive

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

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Mauldin Trail

~15 min drive

3.02-mile loop trail in Arkansas with 96 ft elevation gain/loss.

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Lovit - Holly Spur

~13 min drive

0.66-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 48 ft of elevation gain.