What’s the first thing you picture when thinking of the Natural State? Is it the forested bluff views from atop Mount Magazine? The cool serene cascades from your favorite waterfall? These may be the typical go-to’s for exploring nature in Arkansas but they’re certainly not the only places. There’s a little slice of the state that has some rather unique features. Today’s trails all have some rather interesting rock formations but they also have a subtle wildness that makes them feel downright otherworldly. These eight trails are concentrated around the tiny town of Sand Gap, each being within a 25 mile radius. So let’s take a weekend getaway to explore a different side of Arkansas.
- Stack Rock Trail
AllTrails/Doug Neidholdt We’ll begin with our farthest destination, Stack Rock. The trail is 2.3 miles and rated as moderate for its rocky elevation gain. The towering stacked rocks, alcoves, and early settler gravestone will keep you motivated along the trail to see what’s around the next curve. The scenic area is about 21 miles north of Sand Gap.
- Big Creek Cave Falls
AllTrails/Bree Benham About 19 miles outside of Sand Gap is the rather remote Big Creek Cave. The hike isn’t easy but is absolutely worth the effort. You may be a bit soggy after hiking the cross-creek 3.1-mile trail, but seeing the full cascades spilling from the mountain is quite the reward. In addition to the waterfalls in the area, the caves are also stunning. One is closed to protect the bats but the other is quite large and open for exploring.
- Alum Cove Trail
Google/Susan Pence It’s hard to grasp just how gigantic the Alum Cove Natural Bridge is until you’ve seen it in person. The 130-ft. long bridge that was once used by settlers will instantly transport you back in time. The recreation area is a little over 18 miles outside of Sand Gap and if you’d like to learn more you can read this article.
- Arkansas Sphinx Trail
Rick’s Hiking Blog The Arkansas Sphinx is arguably the most unique rock formation in the state. It’s one of the highest peaks in the Ozarks at 1,800 feet. The giant sandstone monolith had been a lookout point during the Civil War. The Sphinx is sitting about 17 miles outside of Sand Gap and takes under two miles to reach.
- Owens Mountain Bluff Trail
AllTrails/Seth St. Pierre Hiking around Owens Mountain is quite a humbling experience. The massive boulders will make you feel ridiculously tiny and the well-preserved Native American rock art will make you realize just how ancient this area is. The trail is a short and sweet mile-long loop and the mountain is 16.9 miles outside of Sand Gap.
- Sandstone Castle Trail
AllTrails/Doug Neidholdt Pass the beloved Twin Falls Trail about 16 miles outside of Sand Gap is another trail - the Sandstone Castle Trail. The Castle is a series of caves cut into the rock of the bluff on top of a ridge. The open cave has different rooms to explore and used to be smuggler hideout. If you’d like to navigate this trail, read our full article right here.
- Sam’s Throne Trail
Flickr/Granger Meador 14 miles away from Sand Gap is the rock climber’s oasis of Sam’s Throne. The towering formations of this area will make you feel like you’ve reached a different planet entirely. The ropeless rock climb trail is about two miles and can be better explored through this article.
- Pedestal Rocks Loop Trail
AllTrails/John Steele We’ve closed in on Sand Gap, 6 miles outside the town are the ever odd Pedestal Rocks. The trail is about 2.5 miles and will take you to the perfect example of weathering. If you look through the trees at just the right angle it looks like the pedestal rocks are just floating in the air.
For a map of all of today’s destinations, use this link.
AllTrails/Doug Neidholdt
We’ll begin with our farthest destination, Stack Rock. The trail is 2.3 miles and rated as moderate for its rocky elevation gain. The towering stacked rocks, alcoves, and early settler gravestone will keep you motivated along the trail to see what’s around the next curve. The scenic area is about 21 miles north of Sand Gap.
AllTrails/Bree Benham
About 19 miles outside of Sand Gap is the rather remote Big Creek Cave. The hike isn’t easy but is absolutely worth the effort. You may be a bit soggy after hiking the cross-creek 3.1-mile trail, but seeing the full cascades spilling from the mountain is quite the reward. In addition to the waterfalls in the area, the caves are also stunning. One is closed to protect the bats but the other is quite large and open for exploring.
Google/Susan Pence
It’s hard to grasp just how gigantic the Alum Cove Natural Bridge is until you’ve seen it in person. The 130-ft. long bridge that was once used by settlers will instantly transport you back in time. The recreation area is a little over 18 miles outside of Sand Gap and if you’d like to learn more you can read this article.
Rick’s Hiking Blog
The Arkansas Sphinx is arguably the most unique rock formation in the state. It’s one of the highest peaks in the Ozarks at 1,800 feet. The giant sandstone monolith had been a lookout point during the Civil War. The Sphinx is sitting about 17 miles outside of Sand Gap and takes under two miles to reach.
AllTrails/Seth St. Pierre
Hiking around Owens Mountain is quite a humbling experience. The massive boulders will make you feel ridiculously tiny and the well-preserved Native American rock art will make you realize just how ancient this area is. The trail is a short and sweet mile-long loop and the mountain is 16.9 miles outside of Sand Gap.
Pass the beloved Twin Falls Trail about 16 miles outside of Sand Gap is another trail - the Sandstone Castle Trail. The Castle is a series of caves cut into the rock of the bluff on top of a ridge. The open cave has different rooms to explore and used to be smuggler hideout. If you’d like to navigate this trail, read our full article right here.
Flickr/Granger Meador
14 miles away from Sand Gap is the rock climber’s oasis of Sam’s Throne. The towering formations of this area will make you feel like you’ve reached a different planet entirely. The ropeless rock climb trail is about two miles and can be better explored through this article.
AllTrails/John Steele
We’ve closed in on Sand Gap, 6 miles outside the town are the ever odd Pedestal Rocks. The trail is about 2.5 miles and will take you to the perfect example of weathering. If you look through the trees at just the right angle it looks like the pedestal rocks are just floating in the air.
Have you visited one of the trails along this odd cluster of unique formations? Share your favorite Sand Gap hike with us in the comments below!
Arkansas is also home to some super beautiful canyons as well.
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