Late spring is that magical time of year when nature is fully reborn after the long and cold winter. One of the best ways to experience the sights, sounds, and aromas of the season is by taking your friends or family on a hiking trip. Those living in or around Fort Smith, Arkansas, are lucky to have a wide variety of hiking spots to choose from. Here are some of the most interesting.
1. H.E. Flanagan Prairie Natural Area
The H.E. Flanagan Prairie Natural Area is less than 30 miles east of Fort Smith, and it’s the ideal natural spot for a late spring hike. Part of the Cherokee Prairie Complex, which used to occupy about 135,000 acres of Arkansas Valley’s western portion but now covers 534 acres, this tallgrass prairie’s charm is its wild and natural feel. There are no designated trails, but hiking through the tall grass and blazing star flowers is a more immersive experience than walking down a clear path.
2. Wells Lake Trail
If you don’t have the time or the inclination to travel long distances in order to find the perfect hiking spot, Wells Lake Trail is the perfect solution, as it’s very close to downtown Fort Smith. As its name suggests, the 7-mile hiking trail goes around Wells Lake, offering breathtaking views as well as fishing opportunities for those looking to set up camp after a hike. Most of the trail is paved, making it a good hiking spot for people with disabilities. While you’re there, you shouldn’t miss the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center‘s fascinating exhibits.
3. Warren Hollow Trail
Another great hiking trail located only minutes away from Fort Smith, the Warren Hollow Trail is the ideal hike for those who don’t have much time but need the energy boost that only nature can provide. The trail is only 0.6 miles long, meaning that a round trip will give you 1.2 miles of mildly challenging woodland trails. It first goes downhill and then uphill, with a basketball court and a group cabin at the end. Overall, it’s a short and somewhat easy hike, with great lake views along the way.
4. White Rock Rim Trail
If amazing views are what you’re after, White Rock Rim Trail is the ideal late-spring hike for you. Located about an hour away from Fort Smith, on White Rock Mountain in the Ozark National Forest, this 1.6-mile hike goes around the top of the mountain, offering unique panoramic views along the way. It’s a moderately difficult trail with less than 100 feet of net elevation change. There are, however, many dangerous bluffs and no guardrails, making it a less than ideal hiking spot for children.
Spring is the time of year when all nature comes back to life, and by the time we reach late May and early June, everything is in full bloom. These few weeks of nature at its peak should not be missed. Any of these hiking trails will make you forget all about concrete and glass, enabling you to focus on what really matters in life.
Image via Flickr by miketnorton
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