Arkansas Outdoor Circuit Map
Ozark bluffs, a spa town & Ouachita whitewater, in one loop.
10-day Arkansas outdoor road trip from XNA. Backpack and paddle the Buffalo National River in the Ozarks, soak on Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs, drive the Talimena Scenic Byway, run Cossatot whitewater, and summit Mount Magazine, the state high point.
Excellent itinerary planner! Detail oriented with thoughtful tips for my family’s trip.
28 stops on a real mapEvery stop pinned in order→Every stop is a real pin, in order.
Buffalo River · Hot Springs · Ouachitas · Arkansas
6 of the stops on these 10 days.
Plan and book your 10 days in Arkansas, one step at a time
How 10 days in Arkansas split up
This 10-day Arkansas outdoor circuit covers the state's two mountain ranges in a single loop from Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). You start in the Ozarks around Ponca and Jasper and the Upper Buffalo National River, then swing south to Hot Springs and the Ouachita Mountains before climbing Mount Magazine on the way back.
Day 1: Arrive in Ponca & Lost Valley Trail · 2.2 miles
3 stops · Day one
Day 2: Whitaker Point & a Buffalo River Paddle
3 stops · Day two
Day 3: Buffalo River Trail Backpacking · 10.5 miles
3 stops · Day three
Day 4: BRT to Pruitt & Drive to Hot Springs · 6 miles + drive
3 stops · Day four
Day 5: Hot Springs National Park & Bathhouse Row
3 stops · Day five
Day 6: Ouachita National Forest & Lake Ouachita Vista Trail · 5–7 miles
3 stops · Day six
Day 7: Talimena Scenic Byway & Queen Wilhelmina State Park
3 stops · Day seven
Day 8: Cossatot River Whitewater · Class II–IV
3 stops · Day eight
Day 9: Mount Magazine & Signal Hill · Arkansas High Point · 2 miles
3 stops · Day nine
Day 10: Departure · Drive to XNA
1 stops · Day ten
Arrive in Ponca & Lost Valley Trail · 2.2 miles
Fly into Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), pick up your rental car, and drive roughly 2.5 hours to Ponca, the gateway to the Upper Buffalo National River. Check into your cabin or motel in the Ponca/Jasper area and settle in.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Drive from~2.5 hr · ~100 mi · rental car required · DriveFly into Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), pick up your rental car, and drive about 2.5 hours to Ponca, the gateway to the Upper Buffalo National River. XNA is the closest major airport and the natural start and end of the loop.
- Lost Valley Trail
2.2 mi round trip · Eden Falls & a cave · HikeStretch your legs on the easy Lost Valley Trail, a 2.2-mile round trip past bluffs and Eden Falls to a small cave you can explore with a flashlight. It is a gentle, kid-friendly introduction to the Ozarks.
Check into Ponca / Jasper lodgingCabins & motels · book early · lodgeSettle into your cabin or motel in the Ponca or Jasper area, your base for the first two nights. Ponca is closer to the Buffalo River trailheads; book 3–6 months ahead for spring and fall weekends.
Whitaker Point & a Buffalo River Paddle
Start with the iconic hike to Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag), a 3-mile out-and-back to one of Arkansas's most photographed overlooks above the Upper Buffalo wilderness. Arrive early for soft light and to beat the crowds, and mind the exposed bluff edges.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag)
3 mi round trip · iconic Ozark overlook · HikeHike the 3-mile out-and-back to Whitaker Point, better known as Hawksbill Crag, one of Arkansas's most photographed overlooks above the Upper Buffalo wilderness. Arrive early for soft light and to beat the crowds, and mind the exposed bluff edges.
Buffalo River paddle · Ponca to Kyles Landing10.5 mi · 4–6 hr · Class I–II · activityDepending on water levels, rent a canoe or kayak and float the 10.5-mile Ponca-to-Kyles-Landing stretch of the Buffalo National River past towering bluffs. Outfitters like the Buffalo Outdoor Center handle rentals and shuttles; PFDs are required.
Second night in Ponca / JasperSame lodging · easy trailhead access · lodgeReturn to your Ponca or Jasper lodging for a second night, keeping you close to the Buffalo River Trail for tomorrow's early backpacking start.
Buffalo River Trail Backpacking · 10.5 miles
Before you start, grab a free, self-issued Buffalo National River backcountry permit from a visitor center or trailhead kiosk. Then set off on your multi-day backpack along the Buffalo River Trail (BRT), hiking the Ponca low-water bridge to Kyles Landing section, roughly 10.5 miles of rugged, rewarding terrain.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Buffalo National River backcountry permit
Free · self-issue · required overnight · activityBefore you start, grab a free, self-issued Buffalo National River backcountry permit from a visitor center or trailhead kiosk. It is required for any overnight stay and takes only a minute to fill out.
Buffalo River Trail · Ponca to Kyles Landing~10.5 mi · 6–8 hr · strenuous · HikeSet off on the multi-day backpack, hiking the Ponca low-water bridge to Kyles Landing section of the Buffalo River Trail, roughly 10.5 miles of rugged terrain with big elevation changes and rewarding river-and-bluff views.
Backcountry camp along the BRTPrimitive site · Leave No Trace · lodgeCamp at a primitive backcountry site along the Buffalo River Trail near Kyles Landing. There are no facilities, so pack everything in and out, camp at least 100 feet from water, and hang a bear bag or use a canister.
BRT to Pruitt & Drive to Hot Springs · 6 miles + drive
Finish the backpacking leg with the Kyles Landing to Pruitt section of the BRT, about 6 miles of morning solitude and scenic overlooks before you retrieve your vehicle or meet a shuttle at Pruitt.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Jasari / CC BY-SA 3.0Buffalo River Trail · Kyles Landing to Pruitt~6 mi · 3–4 hr · moderate · HikeFinish the backpacking leg with the ~6-mile Kyles Landing to Pruitt section, enjoying morning solitude and scenic overlooks before you retrieve your vehicle or meet a shuttle at Pruitt.
- Samuel Grant / CC BY-SA 3.0Drive to Hot Springs
~3 hr · ~120 mi · lunch in Russellville · DriveDrive roughly 3 hours south to Hot Springs, trading Ozark wilderness for a historic spa town. Break for lunch around Russellville and enjoy a scenic route through central Arkansas.
- Check into Hot Springs lodging
Historic hotels or modern stays · lodgeCheck into your Hot Springs hotel, from historic properties near Bathhouse Row to modern accommodations. Prioritize a stay near Central Avenue for walkable access to the bathhouses.
Hot Springs National Park & Bathhouse Row
Explore Hot Springs National Park, one of the smallest and oldest in the system. Start at the restored Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center to learn the story of the thermal waters, then take a traditional soak at Buckstaff or a modern spa session at Quapaw Baths & Spa.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor CenterFree · park museum · no bathing here · ViewpointStart at the restored Fordyce Bathhouse, now the park visitor center, to learn the story of Hot Springs' thermal waters. Admission is free and ranger-led tours are often available; there is no actual bathing here.
Ken Lund from Reno, Ne / CC BY-SA 2.0Soak on Bathhouse RowBuckstaff or Quapaw · reserve ahead · activityTake a traditional soak at Buckstaff Bathhouse or a modern spa session at Quapaw Baths & Spa. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. Soaks are charged separately from the free park.
Chris Light / CC BY-SA 4.0Hot Springs Mountain Trail1.7 mi loop · panoramic views & tower · HikeWalk off the relaxation on the 1.7-mile Hot Springs Mountain Trail loop, right behind Bathhouse Row, with panoramic views and an observation tower at the top. It is paved in sections and good for all skill levels.
Ouachita National Forest & Lake Ouachita Vista Trail · 5–7 miles
Drive about an hour west into the Ouachita National Forest, a vast landscape of rolling ridges and pine. Hike a section of the acclaimed Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT), an out-and-back of 5–7 miles with beautiful views over Lake Ouachita.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Drive into the Ouachita National Forest~1 hr · ~40 mi · fuel up first · DriveHead about an hour west from Hot Springs into the vast Ouachita National Forest, a landscape of rolling ridges and dense pine. Fuel up before you go, as cell service is patchy inside the forest.
- Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT)
5–7 mi out-and-back · lake views · HikeHike a 5–7 mile out-and-back section of the acclaimed Lake Ouachita Vista Trail, a well-built multi-use path with beautiful views over Lake Ouachita and chances to swim. Several trailheads let you tune the distance.
- Overnight in Hot Springs or Mena
Move west to cut tomorrow's drive · lodgeReturn to Hot Springs for the night, or push west toward Mena to shorten tomorrow's drive to the Talimena Scenic Byway. Mena has fewer options, so plan lodging and dinner ahead if you move.
Talimena Scenic Byway & Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Drive the stunning Talimena Scenic Byway, a 54-mile National Scenic Byway that rides the crest of the Ouachitas from Mena, Arkansas to Talihina, Oklahoma, with overlook after overlook, spectacular in spring and fall.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Talimena Scenic Byway
54 mi · 2–3 hr · numerous overlooks · DriveDrive the Talimena Scenic Byway, a 54-mile National Scenic Byway riding the crest of the Ouachitas from Mena, Arkansas to Talihina, Oklahoma, with overlook after overlook. Services are limited, so start with a full tank.
- Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Rich Mountain · historic lodge & views · ViewpointStop at Queen Wilhelmina State Park atop Rich Mountain, Arkansas's second-highest peak. Tour the historic lodge, take in the views, and grab lunch at the lodge restaurant. Walk the short Tall Peak Trail near the lodge.
- Overnight in Mena
Small-town base · gateway to the byway · lodgeSpend the night in Mena, a small town at the base of the Ouachitas and the gateway to the Talimena Scenic Byway. Dining options are limited, so plan ahead, and it positions you for tomorrow's whitewater.
Cossatot River Whitewater · Class II–IV
Experienced paddlers can take on the Cossatot River, one of the most technical runs in the Mid-South, with Class II–IV rapids that peak at Cossatot Falls when water is high. This is a serious whitewater day and not for beginners.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Cossatot River State Park–Natural Area
Class II–IV · check gauges · experts only · activityExperienced paddlers can tackle the Cossatot River, one of the most technical runs in the Mid-South, with Class II–IV rapids that peak at Cossatot Falls when water is high. Always check gauge readings; a PFD is required and a helmet is essential.
- Alternative: Caddo River float
8–12 mi · calm · family-friendly · activityIf the Cossatot is too challenging or the gauges are low, opt for a calm, scenic float on the nearby Caddo River, suitable for all skill levels. Outfitters handle rentals and shuttles, and it is great for swimming.
- Final night in Mena
Recover after the paddle · lodgeReturn to Mena for your final night in the Ouachita region, recovering after the paddle before heading north toward Mount Magazine in the morning.
Mount Magazine & Signal Hill · Arkansas High Point · 2 miles
Drive north to Mount Magazine State Park, home to the highest point in Arkansas. Hike the short Signal Hill Trail to the 2,753-foot summit, the state high point, and add the Benefield Loop or a bluff-edge trail for more views over the Petit Jean River Valley.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Drive to Mount Magazine State Park
~1.5 hr · ~60 mi · winding roads · DriveDrive about 1.5 hours north to Mount Magazine State Park, home to the highest point in Arkansas. The approach is a scenic but slow, winding mountain drive, so allow extra time.
- Signal Hill Trail · Arkansas high point
~1.5 mi loop · summit at 2,753 ft · HikeHike the short Signal Hill Trail to the 2,753-foot summit, the highest point in Arkansas, marked at the top. Add the Benefield Loop or a bluff-edge trail for panoramic views over the Petit Jean River Valley.
- Lodge at Mount Magazine
Clifftop views · or start toward XNA · lodgeCap the trip with a night at the Lodge at Mount Magazine for its dramatic clifftop overlook, or begin driving north toward XNA for a shorter departure day. The lodge books up in peak season, so reserve early.
Departure · Drive to XNA
On your final morning, enjoy a last Arkansas breakfast or squeeze in a short hike if your flight allows. Then drive roughly 2 hours north to Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), returning the rental car with a full tank.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Drive to XNA airport
~2 hr · ~80 mi · return rental full · DriveOn your final morning, enjoy a last Arkansas breakfast or a short hike if your flight allows, then drive roughly 2 hours north to Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). Return the rental car with a full tank and leave a buffer for security.
Book the 9 nights
Beds near the trailheads are the one thing on this trip that genuinely runs out. Everything else can be decided later.
Tell us your dates and we will do the calling. We check every booking site, put your points and card perks against the cash price, and email you this plan back with the best room we can find for each night. Nothing is charged and you decide at the end.
Request to bookWhat to pack for Arkansas
Built from this route, not a generic list. Every line says why it is here.
On every day of this trip
On your feet
Because you are sleeping indoors
For the driving days
Essential permits, rivers & planning.
Buffalo National River permit
Backcountry camping along the Buffalo River Trail requires a free, self-issued permit, available at trailheads and visitor centers. Pack out all trash, camp 100+ ft from water, and use a bear bag or canister. Check the live USGS river gauges before any paddling, since levels drop fast in summer: the Upper District around Ponca and Boxley often runs too low to float by July, while the Middle (St. Joe) and Lower (Harriet) districts usually stay runnable. Outfitters like the Buffalo Outdoor Center and Buffalo River Outfitters rent canoes for roughly $85 to $105 a day with shuttle.
Hot Springs National Park
There is no entrance fee to the park itself, but bathhouse soaks are charged separately (a traditional soak-and-massage package at the historic Buckstaff runs around $100). Parking on Bathhouse Row is limited, so use the parking garage or street parking, and free thermal-water fountains line Central Avenue. Beyond the baths, downtown has the Northwoods Trail System, over 30 miles of mountain-bike trails right from town, and Superior Bathhouse Brewery, the only brewery in a US national park, which brews with 143°F thermal spring water.
State-park reservations
Camping fees vary by park and site. Reserve campsites, cabins, and the lodges at Queen Wilhelmina and Mount Magazine early, especially in spring and fall, through arkansasstateparks.com.
Cossatot River is expert-only
The Cossatot is rainfall-dependent and holds Class II–IV whitewater. Always check gauge readings before you launch, a PFD is legally required, and it is not recommended for beginners. If in doubt, float the calm Caddo River instead.
Download offline maps
Cell service is spotty to non-existent across much of the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests. Download offline maps, fuel up before entering the forests, and share your itinerary with someone before heading into the backcountry.
Go spring or fall
April–May brings wildflowers, higher water for paddling, and comfortable hiking; October–November brings foliage, cooler weather, and fewer bugs. Summer runs hot and humid with low rivers; winter can be cold with occasional snow and limited access.
Everything you'll actually want to know.
Everything you'll actually want to know before a Arkansas trip.
It is a 10-day, 9-night loop of roughly 600 miles that starts and ends at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). You base out of Ponca or Jasper in the Ozarks, then Hot Springs, then Mena in the Ouachitas, before summiting Mount Magazine on the way back to XNA.
We'll find the cheapest way to do this trip.
Tell us your dates and we price the plan you just built: every booking site, the hotels direct, and your own points and card perks against the cash price. You get it back by email with a link for each night and what it saved you.
- It is free. The hotel pays us, not you. You pay their normal price.
- Nothing is charged and nothing is held. You decide at the end, or you walk away.
- Beds near trailheads are the part that runs out. Everything else can wait.
The figures below are estimates from local nightly rates, so you know the ballpark before you ask. The real number comes back once we have checked what is free.
- 9 nights, sites held for you
- Any permits secured before you fly
- Gear rented locally and waiting at the site
- The route pinned to your phone before you leave
- Everything in Camped
- Rooms booked for every night, one base where the route allows
- Dinner reservations on the nights that need them
- A rain-day plan written before you go
- Everything in Glamped, plus a local guide for the trip
- Airport pickup and every drive handled
- All the gear rented and waiting, so you pack clothes and nothing else
- Weather turns and they rewrite the day while you are still at breakfast
Written and walked by Yulia Vasilyeva · Co-founder · Lead planner and guide
Builds every custom itinerary herself and leads guided hikes in the Pacific Northwest, rated 5.0 by 20+ verified guests. Based in Seattle.
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What adventurers say about us.
All reviews are from verified guests. ★★★★★ 5.0 average from 20+ bookings.
"Felt like going out with a really knowledgeable friend who just happens to know everything about the area. No awkward tour-guide energy, just a magnificent day."
"Yulia is an incredible guide. She knew every trail, every viewpoint, and exactly how to pace the day for our group. The photos she took of us were stunning. 100% booking again."
"I was visiting Seattle solo and this was the best decision I made on the trip. Yulia picked me up, had snacks, and took us to a trail I never would have found on my own. Absolute must-do."
"We did this as a couple's trip and it was perfect. Yulia adapted everything to us, our pace, our interests, our photo obsession. The mountain views were unreal."
"Phenomenal experience. Yulia has deep local knowledge and a real passion for the outdoors. She went out of her way to show us the hidden gems tourists never see. Will remember this forever."
"I've done a few guided hikes and this was by far the best. Yulia is warm, funny, and genuinely expert. The trail she chose had the most insane wildflower bloom, we got so lucky."
Fees, reservation windows, shuttle dates and trail closures are planning estimates. Confirm hours, road status and any reservations with the land manager before you go.
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You can't hike it if you can't get the permit.
The best hikes in America run on lotteries that open once a year and sell out in minutes. Every trail runs on its own calendar. Pick the ones you want and we do the watching.
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How it works
- An email the morning each window opens, never the day after.
- A 14-day heads-up so you can line up your group and dates.
- Win odds and a ranked backup plan for every trail you pick.
Didn't win? We keep watching. We check recreation.gov every day for The Enchantments, Half Dome and Angels Landing, and email you the moment a sold-out date frees up. Cancellations are the second chance most people never hear about.
Excellent itinerary planner! Detail oriented with thoughtful tips for my family's trip.