Hiking is an awe inspiring way to experience the beauty of Arkansas in the fall, said Tim Ernst, a wilderness photographer and author of many guidebooks about hiking in Arkansas.
“And with so many different types of trees here, they don’t all turn color at the same time,” Ernst said. “When they do turn, there are so many different colors. Our hardwood forest provides a beautiful variety when autumn sweeps across the landscape.”
He added hiking during the peak of the fall color season is not always just about the blazing colors.
“There is something special about the clarity and sweetness of the air in autumn,” he said. “Stop, breathe deep and fill your lungs often.”
The chance to leave the beaten path is attainable. Ernst said while some routes can get crowded on popular weekends, most Arkansas trails remain relatively unknown compared to major trails in other states.
The state’s diverse topography offers a range of scenic territory to explore, including the Ouachita Mountains in southwest Arkansas. The ridgeline runs predominantly east to west rather than the north to south direction of the Appalachian and Rocky mountains, which gives rise to distinct plant and animal communities.
The Ouachita National Recreation Trail follows this range for more than 220 miles. Other hiking options in the region include the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail, which has around 45 miles of trails along the southern shore of Lake Ouachita. The route meanders through the Ouachita National Forest with spurs providing lake vistas.
Ernst said hiking in southwest Arkansas provides more solitude than the Ozarks.
“You can often hike all day and never see another person,” he said. “Fall color is great when mixed with all the pine tree green, and that color comes later than in the Ozarks, so the fall color season is extended much longer.”
The climate also makes hiking in Arkansas stand out from other states.
“In fact, winter is one of the very best seasons to hike here, with many warm, sunny days; no snakes, bugs, or many other hikers; bare trees provide terrific open views through the forest; and there is usually more water so there are a lot more waterfalls.”