Hunts Loop
Photo: SlapTheWorld, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)- 8.8 mi
- round trip
- 1,540 ft
- climb
- 1,374 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- best months
Is Hunts Loop open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Ouachita National Forest. It doesn't name Hunts Loop, so check the source for the area it covers (5 listed).
Forest Service Road 209 Closed for Logging Activity
Agency closure covering Ouachita National Forest · USFS · Ouachita National Forest
Forest Service Road 6035 Closed for Construction
Agency closure covering Ouachita National Forest · USFS · Ouachita National Forest
Forest Service Road Closures on the Caddo-Womble Ranger District
Agency closure covering Ouachita National Forest · USFS · Ouachita National Forest
Wildfire Risk Increases in Arkansas and Oklahoma
Agency closure covering Ouachita National Forest · USFS · Ouachita National Forest
Hole in the Ground Hiking Trail Closed due to Logging Operations
Agency closure covering Ouachita National Forest · USFS · Ouachita National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Ouachita National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Hunts Loop is an 8.8-mile out-and-back hike in the Jessieville Ranger District of Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas, managed by the Forest Service. The trail's route is natural surface, and it rises from 1,266 feet to 1,374 feet at the high point before descending back, with a total gain and loss of about 1,540 feet each way. The steepest stretch comes around mile 1.5, where the grade reaches 23%, and the climb makes this a hard hike. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 73°F and April highs around 71°F, while July and August average highs near 89°F. Bear Creek Equestrian Trail is about 2 miles away, and Friendship Trail is about 4 miles off. Jessieville Winona Fourche Ranger District, a lake fishing spot, is about 4 miles away. Climbers can find Hollis Mountain about 1,200 feet away, and the trailhead offers a starting point for longer outings.
Local outfitters
- River View Cabins & Canoes40 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
Best time to visit Hunts 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.
Jan
49° / 29°
10 wet
Feb
54° / 32°
9 wet
Mar
62° / 40°
11 wet
Apr
71° / 48°
10 wet
May
78° / 58°
11 wet
Jun
85° / 66°
9 wet
Jul
89° / 70°
10 wet
Aug
89° / 69°
9 wet
Sep
83° / 62°
7 wet
Oct
73° / 50°
8 wet
Nov
61° / 39°
9 wet
Dec
51° / 32°
10 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Alum Fk, AR, 14.4 mi away at 698 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: SlapTheWorld, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)Upper Dogwood Trail
~28 min drive
1.98-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 151 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
BEAR CREEK EQUESTRIAN TRAIL
~4 min drive
11.24-mile out-and-back equestrian trail in Arkansas with 1,874 ft elevation gain
HIKE
Little Blakely - South Loop
~20 min drive
5.70-mile loop trail in Arkansas with 1,022 ft elevation gain.
Photo: SlapTheWorld, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)Oertel Trail
~29 min drive
1.40-mile point-to-point trail in Arkansas with 560 ft gain
HIKE
Bear Creek - East Loop
~10 min drive
9.80-mile loop trail in Arkansas with 1,006 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
LITTLE BLAKELY - NORTH LOOP
~20 min drive
3.97-mile loop trail in Arkansas with 1,009 ft gain and 1,018 ft loss.
Photo: SlapTheWorld, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)Lower Dogwood Trail
~29 min drive
0.67-mile loop trail in Arkansas with 127 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Bear Creek - West Loop
~16 min drive
Bear Creek - West Loop is a 21.04-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 803 feet of elevation gain.
HIKE
Little Blakely - Glades Loop
~20 min drive
3.60-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 701 ft elevation gain.
Photo: ChattOconeeNF, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Wildlife Loop
~29 min drive
1.00-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 149 ft elevation gain.