Arkansas · Hiking

Western Don

13.0 mi
loop
296 ft
climb
1,273 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Western Don open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Western Don is a 13-mile loop hike on natural surface in the Boston Mountain Ranger District of Arkansas's Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. It starts at about 1,174 feet and climbs to 1,273 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 4.3 miles in, where the grade reaches 8 percent. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is rated hard. Bikes are allowed, but horses are not, and the route is not accessible. It is open year-round. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Fayetteville weather station show October highs around 71°F with lows near 48°F, and April highs around 69°F. July and August highs average about 89°F. Lake Wedington Campground and the Lake Wedington Recreation Area sit about 0.4 miles away, and the Crisscross and Feral Hog hikes are both within about a quarter mile.

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 Western Don

    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° / 27°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      51° / 30°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      59° / 38°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      69° / 47°

      9 wet

    5. May

      76° / 56°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      84° / 65°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 69°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 68°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 60°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 48°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      59° / 38°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      50° / 30°

      6 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Fayetteville Exp Stn, AR, 11.1 mi away at 1,270 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.