Arkansas · Hiking

Serendipity Trail

2.6 mi
loop
84 ft
climb
916 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Serendipity Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ouachita National Forest. It doesn't name Serendipity 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.

Serendipity Trail is a 2.6-mile loop hike in the Oden Ranger District of Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is rated easy, with a total elevation gain of 84 feet, and its natural surface makes it a straightforward outing. The loop starts at about 900 feet and reaches a high point of 916 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 0.55 miles in, where the grade reaches 7%. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 73°F with lows near 46°F, while July and August average highs of 90°F. Nearby hikes include Rockhouse, about 3 miles away, and Mountain Top and Brushy Creek, each a little over 4 miles off. Paddlers can find the South Fork Ouachita River about 7 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

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

    Best time to visit Serendipity Trail

    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.

    1. Jan

      50° / 28°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      55° / 31°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      63° / 38°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 46°

      10 wet

    5. May

      77° / 56°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 65°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 68°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      90° / 67°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 59°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 46°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      62° / 37°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 30°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mt Ida 3 Se, AR, 13.5 mi away at 697 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

BRUSHY MOUNTAINPhoto: SlapTheWorld, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

BRUSHY MOUNTAIN

~7 min drive

2.0-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 684 ft elevation gain.

Brushy CreekPhoto: SlapTheWorld, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Brushy Creek

~7 min drive

7.20-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 641 ft elevation gain.

Crystal TrailPhoto: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Crystal Trail

~23 min drive

1.7-mile out-and-back hike in Arkansas with 975 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Fourche Mountain Trail

~22 min drive

5.60-mile out-and-back hike in Arkansas with 481 ft elevation gain.

Bluff MtnPhoto: azoeart, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Bluff Mtn

~30 min drive

2.00-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 441 ft elevation gain.

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Womble Trail South

~9 min drive

51.60-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 1,825 ft gain and 2,010 ft loss.

Viles Branch Horse TrailPhoto: azoeart, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Viles Branch Horse Trail

~34 min drive

3.40-mile out-and-back horse trail in Arkansas with 658 ft gain.

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Viles Branch

~32 min drive

46.6-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 1,749 ft elevation gain.

Wolf Pen Gap 6 EastPhoto: thigpen.robert, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Wolf Pen Gap 6 East

~33 min drive

6.62-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 368 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Athens-Big Fork North

~26 min drive

19.38-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 2,630 ft elevation gain.