Arkansas · Hiking

Eagle Rock Loop

26.3 mi
loop
2,661 ft
climb
1,804 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Eagle Rock Loop open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ouachita National Forest. It doesn't name Eagle Rock Loop, 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.

Eagle Rock Loop is a 26.3-mile loop in the Caddo Ranger District of Ouachita National Forest in western Arkansas, managed by the Forest Service. The route is a moderate hike with a total elevation gain of 2,661 feet, climbing from a low of about 787 feet to a high of about 1,804 feet. The loop's steepest section comes at about mile 10.9, where the grade reaches 29 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 May highs around 74°F, while July and August average in the mid-80s. Bikes are allowed on this route, but horses are not. The trail links up with other options within a few miles, including the Little Missouri North hike and the Athens-Big Fork North Trail for mountain biking. Shady Lake campground sits about 5 miles away, and the Little Missouri River flows about 13 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 Eagle Rock Loop

    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, 2.9 mi away at 1,200 ft. The station sits about 600 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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Next door

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

Wolf Pen Gap 8

~16 min drive

3.33-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 471 ft gain.

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Athens-Big Fork North

~3 min drive

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

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors