Arkansas · Hiking

Viles Branch Horse Trail

Viles Branch Horse TrailPhoto: azoeart, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
3.4 mi
round trip
828 ft
climb
1,209 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Viles Branch Horse Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ouachita National Forest. It doesn't name Viles Branch Horse 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.

Viles Branch Horse Trail is a 3.4-mile out-and-back hike in the Caddo Ranger District of Arkansas's Ouachita National Forest. It is a moderate route with a total elevation gain of 828 feet, and the trail reaches a high point of 1,209 feet, starting from about 833 feet. The steepest stretch comes around the 3-mile mark, where the grade reaches about 14 percent. The trip covers about 6.8 miles round trip. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs of about 69°F in April and October, with July highs near 87°F. Snow is absent all year at that station. The trail is close to other outings. The Little Missouri Trail-North mountain biking route is just 0.1 mile away, and the Viles Branch hike is about 1.9 miles off. The Little Missouri River offers canoeing roughly 3.3 miles away, and Shady Lake campground is about 6.7 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 Viles Branch Horse 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

      47° / 32°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      53° / 35°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 42°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      69° / 50°

      9 wet

    5. May

      74° / 59°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      81° / 66°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 69°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 69°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 62°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      69° / 52°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      58° / 42°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      50° / 34°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Big Fk 1 Sse, AR, 9.1 mi away at 1,200 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors