Deans Ridge
- 6.3 mi
- round trip
- 2,193 ft
- climb
- 1,529 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- best months
Is Deans Ridge open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. It doesn't name Deans Ridge, so check the source for the area it covers (9 listed).
Ozark Highlands Trail Access During ARDOT Hwy 123 Big Piney Creek Bridge Reconstruction
Agency closure covering Ozark-St. Francis National Forest · USFS · Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
Wildfire Risk Increases in Arkansas and Oklahoma
Agency closure covering Ozark-St. Francis National Forest · USFS · Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
Spring Lake Recreation Area Closed For Rest of 2026 Season
Agency closure covering Ozark-St. Francis National Forest · USFS · Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
Lake Wedington Recreation Area Water Line Project
Agency closure covering Ozark-St. Francis National Forest · USFS · Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
Morgan Mtn Rd Partially Closed for Road Repair
Agency closure covering Ozark-St. Francis National Forest · USFS · Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Deans Ridge is a hard hike in the Bayou Ranger District of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest in Arkansas, about 6 miles from the town of Bayou. The trail is a steady, out-and-back climb of about 6.3 miles, with a total round-trip elevation gain of 2,193 feet, and the high point reaches 1,529 feet. The trail is on natural surface, not accessible, and bikes are not allowed. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 73°F in May and 68°F in October, while July and August average highs near 87°F. The hike takes about three hours to complete. Brock Creek Campground lies about 3.8 miles away, and Bayou Bluff Campground is about 5.9 miles off. For paddling, the South Fork Little Red River is about 7.8 miles away, and Illinois Bayou is about 9.9 miles away.
Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
Best time to visit Deans Ridge
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.
Jan
44° / 24°
Feb
49° / 26°
Mar
58° / 36°
Apr
66° / 45°
May
73° / 54°
Jun
82° / 64°
Jul
87° / 67°
Aug
87° / 66°
Sep
80° / 58°
Oct
68° / 47°
Nov
58° / 38°
Dec
48° / 29°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dennard 10 Wsw, AR, 14.1 mi away at 1,740 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
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East Fork
~4 min drive
6.99-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 537 ft gain.
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BROCK CREEK #29
~4 min drive
1.08-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 206 ft elevation gain.
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Brock Creek #42
~7 min drive
5.35-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 786 ft elevation gain.
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Overcup
~7 min drive
5.21-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 247 feet of elevation gain.
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BROCK CREEK #26
~4 min drive
1.34-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 661 ft elevation gain/loss
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Brock Creek #46
~8 min drive
5.23-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 513 ft gain.
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Mg Gap Hollow Loop
~22 min drive
6.17-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 498 ft gain.
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BROCK CREEK #25
~5 min drive
1.46-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 397 ft elevation gain
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BROCK CREEK #22
~8 min drive
3.02-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 1,101 ft elevation gain
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Sycamore
~3 min drive
2.75-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 194 feet of elevation gain.
