Arkansas · Hiking · Near Jasper

Fire Tower Trail

7.5 mi
round trip
1,195 ft
climb
2,543 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Fire Tower Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. It doesn't name Fire Tower 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.

Fire Tower Trail is a 7.5-mile out-and-back hike in the Buffalo Ranger District of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest in Arkansas, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 1,879 feet to a high point of 2,543 feet, with a total elevation gain of 1,195 feet over the course of the trip. The climb is rated hard, and the steepest stretch comes at about 2.3 miles in, where the grade reaches 16 percent. The trail is natural-surfaced and open to bikes, and horses are not allowed. The route is open year-round, and the estimated time for the hike is about three hours. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Kingston put May highs around 72°F and October highs around 67°F, while July and August average about 85°F. Several other trails sit close by. Highwater Bypass is about 0.2 miles away, Bear Point Trail is about 0.7 miles away, and Knucklehead Trail and Southern Slide Trail are each within about 1.5 miles.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Castle Bluff Camp

    Campground

    Campground · 8.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Lodge

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 15 mi
  • If it rains

    Tim Ernst Canvas Gallery

    Gallery

    On your way back · 16 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Jasper

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Mar–Nov

    Best time to visit Fire Tower Trail

    Best months: March–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

      43° / 25°

    2. Feb

      48° / 28°

    3. Mar

      57° / 35°

    4. Apr

      66° / 44°

    5. May

      72° / 54°

    6. Jun

      81° / 62°

    7. Jul

      85° / 66°

    8. Aug

      85° / 65°

    9. Sep

      78° / 59°

    10. Oct

      67° / 48°

    11. Nov

      55° / 37°

    12. Dec

      46° / 28°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Kingston 2s, AR, 11.3 mi away at 2,145 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Route details

Distance
7.5 mi round trip
Climbing
About 1,195 ft
Summit
2,564 ft
Difficulty
Hard
Time
About 3 hours

Season

Season: Year-round.

Other routes up Wahzhazhe Summit

Questions about this route

How long is the Fire Tower Trail on Wahzhazhe Summit?

About 7.5 mi round trip.

How much elevation gain is on the Fire Tower Trail?

About 1,195 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Fire Tower Trail?

It is rated hard.

How long does the Fire Tower Trail take?

About 3 hours round trip.

When is the best time for the Fire Tower Trail?

Year-round.

How many routes go up Wahzhazhe Summit?

2: Knuckles Creek Road Trail and Fire Tower Trail.

Conditions and forecast on Wahzhazhe Summit

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.