Arkansas · Hiking

Hole in the Ground Mtn. Trail

7.3 mi
round trip
1,340 ft
climb
1,260 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Hole in the Ground Mtn. Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ouachita National Forest. It doesn't name Hole in the Ground Mtn. Trail, 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.

Hole in the Ground Mtn. Trail is a 7.3-mile out-and-back hike in the Cold Springs Ranger District of Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas. The trail climbs to a high point of 1,260 feet, with a total gain of 1,340 feet, and the most of that comes early in the route, when the steepest stretch reaches a 21% grade around the 0.4-mile mark. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail's natural surface adds to the challenge of a hard hike. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Booneville, about 6 miles away, show October highs near 75°F and April highs near 73°F. That station sits roughly 660 feet lower than the trail's high point, so expect it to run cooler up top. The trip takes about 3 hours, and the trail starts close to several other destinations. Jack Creek Campground and Jack Creek Overlook are both about a tenth of a mile away. Sugar Creek Hiking Trail is 0.6 miles off, and Sugar Creek, a canoeing route, lies about 2 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

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

    Best time to visit Hole in the Ground Mtn. Trail

    Best months: March–May 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

      50° / 28°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      55° / 31°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      64° / 38°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      73° / 47°

      9 wet

    5. May

      79° / 58°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      87° / 66°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      92° / 70°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      92° / 68°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      85° / 61°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      75° / 50°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      62° / 38°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 31°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Booneville 3 Sse, AR, 6.1 mi away at 600 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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