Castle Bluff Camp
Campground
Campground · 7.7 mi from the trail
Arkansas · Hiking · Near Jasper
Knucklehead Trail
- 2.8 mi
- round trip
- 1,034 ft
- climb
- 2,159 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Mar–Nov
- best months
Is Knucklehead Trail open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. It doesn't name Knucklehead Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (9 listed).
Ozark Highlands Trail Access During ARDOT Hwy 123 Big Piney Creek Bridge Reconstruction
Agency closure covering Ozark-St. Francis National Forest · USFS · Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
Wildfire Risk Increases in Arkansas and Oklahoma
Agency closure covering Ozark-St. Francis National Forest · USFS · Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
Spring Lake Recreation Area Closed For Rest of 2026 Season
Agency closure covering Ozark-St. Francis National Forest · USFS · Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
Lake Wedington Recreation Area Water Line Project
Agency closure covering Ozark-St. Francis National Forest · USFS · Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
Morgan Mtn Rd Partially Closed for Road Repair
Agency closure covering Ozark-St. Francis National Forest · USFS · Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Knucklehead Trail is a 2.8-mile out-and-back hike in the Buffalo Ranger District of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest in Arkansas. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route rises from about 1,814 feet to a high point of 2,159 feet, with a total climb of 1,034 feet over the course of the round trip. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.6 miles in, with a grade of 11 percent. The trail is rated moderate and has a natural surface. Bikes are allowed, but horses are not. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Kingston run to highs around 72°F in May and 67°F in October, while July and August average highs near 85°F. The hike takes about 1.5 hours. Fire Tower Trail is about a mile away, and Highwater Bypass and Kapark Road Trail are within 2 miles. For paddling, Big Piney Creek is about 9 miles off.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after The Lodge
Restaurant
On your way back · 14 miIf it rains Tim Ernst Canvas Gallery
Gallery
On your way back · 15 mi
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in JasperLocal outfitters
- Kings River Outfitters33 mi away
- Float Eureka40 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Mar–Nov
Best time to visit Knucklehead 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.
Jan
43° / 25°
Feb
48° / 28°
Mar
57° / 35°
Apr
66° / 44°
May
72° / 54°
Jun
81° / 62°
Jul
85° / 66°
Aug
85° / 65°
Sep
78° / 59°
Oct
67° / 48°
Nov
55° / 37°
Dec
46° / 28°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Kingston 2s, AR, 10.8 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
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Whitaker Point
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3.68-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 789 ft gain.
Photo: Tony Webster — CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Buffalo Creek Trail
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Kapark Road Trail
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Azalea Falls Trail
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0.72-mile out-and-back hike in Arkansas with 96 ft of elevation gain.
