Arkansas · Hiking

Forest Trail

Forest TrailPhoto: Farther Along, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.8 mi
round trip
482 ft
climb
777 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Forest Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Buffalo National River. It doesn't name Forest Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: NPS · Buffalo National River. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Forest Trail is a short, easy hike in Buffalo National River, Arkansas, on land managed by the National Park Service. The route is about 0.8 miles long and rises roughly 200 feet from the trailhead, which sits at about 730 feet. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.7 miles, and the trail turns back on itself, so the total round-trip gain is about 480 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Gilbert, Arkansas, show October highs around 73°F with lows near 45°F, and April is similar at about 70°F by day and 45°F at night. July and August average highs near 89°F. The trail is close to several other routes. Overlook Trail is about 0.2 miles away, Campground Trail is about 0.4 miles away, and Indian Rockhouse Trail is about 0.5 miles away. Buffalo Point campground is about 0.7 miles off.

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

    Best time to visit Forest Trail

    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

      48° / 24°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      53° / 28°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 36°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 45°

      8 wet

    5. May

      77° / 55°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 64°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 67°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 65°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 57°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 45°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      60° / 35°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      51° / 27°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Gilbert, AR, 10.4 mi away at 606 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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