Arkansas · Hiking · Near Jasper

Ratford

2.3 mi
loop
210 ft
climb
2,340 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Ratford open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Ratford is an easy loop hike in the Pleasant Hill Ranger District of Arkansas's Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, about 2.25 miles long with a total climb of 210 feet. It sits at roughly 2,250 feet, rising to a high point of about 2,340 feet, and is a short outing that fits into a longer day on the trail network. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 72°F and October highs around 67°F, with lows in the 50s. The trail is on natural surface and is not accessible. Bikes and horses are not allowed. Several other trails lie close by. South Bench Trail is about 1.2 miles away, Azalea Falls Trail and Twisted Hickory Trail are each about 1.5 miles off, and the Mulberry River, about 10 miles away, offers paddling.

Around this trail

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

    Ozone Cg

    Campground

    Campground · 12 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Lodge

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 18 mi
  • If it rains

    Tim Ernst Canvas Gallery

    Gallery

    On your way back · 19 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 Ratford

    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, 12.6 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

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

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South Bench Trail

~2 min drive

3.79-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 339 ft gain.