Arkansas · Hiking · Near Jasper

Headwaters

1.4 mi
loop
135 ft
climb
2,154 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Headwaters open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Headwaters is a short, easy loop hike in the Buffalo Ranger District of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest in Arkansas. The trail is about 1.4 miles long, with a low point of 1,996 feet and a high of 2,154 feet. The climb is gentle, with a total elevation gain of about 135 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.56 miles in, where the grade reaches 14 percent. The trail is on natural surface and is not accessible. Bikes and horses are not allowed. 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. The trail is open year-round, and several other hikes sit close by. Cave Mountain Road Trail is about half a mile away, Red Star Trail is about 0.6 miles away, and Buffalo Creek Trail is about 1.2 miles away. Sidewinder Trail is about 1.7 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Castle Bluff Camp

    Campground

    Campground · 11 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Lodge

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 16 mi
  • If it rains

    Tim Ernst Canvas Gallery

    Gallery

    On your way back · 18 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 Headwaters

    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, 9.8 mi away at 2,145 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Buffalo Creek TrailPhoto: Tony Webster — CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Buffalo Creek Trail

~2 min drive

9.67-mile out-and-back hike in Arkansas with 480 ft gain.

Whitaker PointPhoto: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Whitaker Point

~8 min drive

3.68-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 789 ft gain.

Indian Creek Oht SpurPhoto: SlapTheWorld, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Indian Creek Oht Spur

~27 min drive

0.49-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 64 ft gain.

HIKE

Ozark Highlands Trail

~28 min drive

132-mile point-to-point Ozark trail through mountains and valleys.

HIKE

Cave Mountain Road Trail

Next door

8.13-mile out-and-back hike in Arkansas with 556 ft gain.

HIKE

Red Star Trail

~1 min drive

1.84-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 197 ft elevation gain.

Kilgore Mountain TrailPhoto: string_bass_dave, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Kilgore Mountain Trail

~30 min drive

4.12-mile out-and-back hike in Arkansas with 383 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Azalea Falls Trail

~4 min drive

6.90-mile out-and-back hike at Azalea Falls Trail in Arkansas with 925 ft elevation gain

HIKE

Sidewinder Trail

~3 min drive

3.73-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 633 ft gain.

Big Bluff (Goat) TrailPhoto: string_bass_dave, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Big Bluff (Goat) Trail

~30 min drive

0.72-mile out-and-back hike in Arkansas with 96 ft of elevation gain.