In 2023, we in Arkansas are celebrating 100 years of Arkansas State Parks. We have, arguably, some of the best parks anywhere in the United States. With this 100-year celebration, the Arkansas State Parks have started CLUB 52. This is how you get into the club:

Pick up your free passport at an Arkansas State Park visitor center and begin recording your travels. We have 52 state parks that are free to enter and offer diverse experiences.

With every state park you visit, you get a stamp, not to mention some memories that will last a lifetime. As you explore Arkansas state parks, make sure you get your passport stamped.

To redeem your awards, take your passport to an Arkansas state park visitor center during normal business hours (call before you go) and have them check your passport stamps and collect your reward right then for stickers and playing cards. T-shirts will be ordered and mailed to you (see https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/passport).

For us…

This was definitely on our list of Arkansas State Parks to visit. They have epic hiking trails in all of the state and it was on the top of our “to hike” list. The Rim trail (on a clear day) could possibly be one of my favorite hikes in the whole state and one of my favorite ones I have ever done. Gia had never been to Mt. Nebo and I could not wait until the right day to take her.

For Me…

I have many memories at this park. I have taken college groups on retreats here. I have traveled her to watch the guys run off the side of the mountain to hang glide. I have taken several trips to camp here with both of my daughters.

One of my fondest memories was heading out with my oldest daughter on the bench road trail back when she was around 12 years old. We backpacked all of our gear in and picked out the perfect spot. That evening it got very hot and black bugs came out from everywhere. They covered everything we owned. We crawled in the tent that evening to go to sleep after dinner and just laid there sweating watching all of the black bugs crawl over the top of the tent in the moonlight. I leaned over to Casey and said, “If you won’t tell your mom, we can pack up, drive into Russellville and get a hotel room and you can swim.” She brightened up and said, “Let’s pack up!” It was several years before her mom found out about this side venture.

For Gia: Mount Nebo is one of the three big(ish) mountains in Arkansas that I drive past on my way to visit Joey. It has the most recognizable profile of the mountains with a distinctive swoop from its summit. I love being able to identify the mountains in the area just by looking at them– it makes me feel like I belong. When Joey and I first started chatting, he spent one afternoon hiking the Rim Trail and sending me pictures of his views along the trail. I could not wait to explore the park with Joey and enjoy the same views together.

Location

Just southwest of Russellville off Interstate 40, sits the small city of Dardanelle. Follow Hwy 155 west to the mountain from Dardanelle. You can spot the mountain from many miles away and with all of the signage; you will not be able to miss it.

Staying at Mt Nebo SP

There are 15 Cabins, 34 Campsites (24 Class B and 10 hike-in tent sites). Note: there is not a dump station at the park. The full-service cabins at Mount Nebo State Parks have all the amenities guests need for a relaxing getaway. Although many of the cabins were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, they are updated with modern amenities including satellite television, heat, and air conditioning, full kitchens with cookware and dinnerware. Linens are provided in these cabins. Outdoor seating is also provided (https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/mount-nebo-state-park).

There are also many different privately owned homes you can rent by the night at the park. All of these have amazing views as they sit right on the edge of the mountain and back up to the east side. You can find information about these on www.vrbo.com.

For me

This is one of my all-time favorite Arkansas State Parks. It is only about an hour from my home so I have frequented this area quite a bit. The highway that goes up to the top of the mountain is heralded as one of the best motorcycle rides in the state (Make sure you are comfortable on your motorcycle before you attempt it as the switchbacks are pretty tough in places).

I love how small and quaint it is. I love the views. I love how few people there are that come up there. I love the cabins as they are quite affordable and most if not all of them have amazing views right out the back doors. The hiking trails are awesome and the temperatures in the summer are quite often much cooler at the top which gives you some relief in the hot and humidified Arkansas summers.

For Gia: When Joey and I approached the mountain on our adventure to the state park, he pointed out an empty area at the base, saying “People park here to walk up the road to the park for exercise.” As we ascended, we did pass some people huffing it up the switchbacks. Talk about a workout– I can’t wait to go back and feel the burn from that endeavor. That road would provide such good training for hiking up a 14er in Colorado (which is also on our to-do list.) The road is STEEP even with all its switchbacks.

The first trail we did the day of our visit was the Bench Trail, a longer trail which circles the mountain below the summit. The trail actually follows an old road, so it’s very wide and we were able to walk side-by-side the entire time, chatting. It feels like walking on an old gravel road that’s been left for the woods to take back over. So, a pleasant walk but not the most hiking-est hike. We passed just a few people the entire time on the trail. You pass a small pond that has been there since Nebo was a mountain resort destination in the early 1900s. The pond isn’t deep so it is unsuitable for swimming but I could imagine people in their resort wear enjoying a row boat excursion in the shallow waters. On the far side of the pond is a primitive stone staircase that leads to the top of the mountain that people used back in the day to get from the resort to the pond and can still be used today. Towards the end of the Bench trail, the path meets back up with the paved road which you follow for a bit before arriving back at the small trailhead parking lot. There’s also a beautiful overlook close to the end of the trail with a gazebo that juts out over the side of the mountain perfect for photo ops and to appreciate the view.

After the Bench Trail, we drove to the small visitor’s center so that Joey could get his stamp and we could use the restrooms and refill our water bottles. We had made a picnic lunch which we enjoyed on a park bench behind the center, taking in the amazing views. I asked Joey tons of questions– “What direction are we facing? What’s that lake over there?” He’s used to my steady stream of inquisitiveness.

After our picnic lunch, we hiked the Rim Trail, and if you want a trail that has never ending views, this is the trail for you. There is a view every step you take and the views go on forever. We loved this trail, and had a blast circling our way around the mountain together. The footing can be a little rocky at times; it’s an actual trail rather than an old road so Joey and I walked in front of and behind the other rather than side by side. The trail doesn’t have much elevation change, so if you want scenic views without having to huff and puff your way up a mountain to them, once again, this is the trail for you!

So much to do during your stay…

There are 15 Cabins, 34 Campsites (24 Class B and 10 hike-in tent sites). Note: there is not a dump station at the park. Other facilities include a swimming pool (fee required), tennis courts, picnic areas, pavilions, and a visitor center with a gift shop.

Hiking

● Bench Trail — 4 miles, easy

● Chickalah Loop Trail — 5.8 miles, moderate

● Hayes Creek Run — 2.1 miles, moderate

● Lizard Tail — 1.9 miles, strenuous

● Miller’s Goat Trail — 5.3 miles Moderate

● Nebo Springs/Nebo Steps Trail — .7 miles, strenuous

● Ox Pull Trail — 1.7 miles, strenuous

● Rim Trail — 3.5 miles, moderate

● Summit Park Trail (National Recreation Trail) — 1.6 miles, moderate to strenuous

● Sunrise Loop — 1 mile, moderate

● Sunset Point Connector — 1/2 mile, moderate

● Three C’s Trail — 2 miles, easy

● Varnall Springs Trail — 1/2 mile, strenuous

● Waterfall/Gum Springs Trail — .25 mile, strenuous

Mountain Biking

● Chickalah Downhill Trail — 2.3 miles downhill only, strenuous

● Chickalah Loop Trail — 5.8 miles, moderate

● Hayes Creek Run — 2.1 miles downhill only, moderate

● Lizard Tail — 1.9 miles, strenuous

● Miller’s Goat Trail — 5.3 miles Moderate

● Ox Pull Trail — 1.7 miles uphill only, strenuous

● Sunrise Loop — 1 mile, moderate

● Sunset Point Connector — 1/2 mile, moderate

● Three C’s Entrance Trail — 591 ft, easy

● Three C’s Trail — 2 miles, easy

Overlooks

The Park boasts two of the best overlooks in the state. You can drive to both the Sunrise and Sunset Overlooks in the park. The Sunrise Overlook might have guys running off the edge to hang glide over the forest below. The Sunset may have wedding parties doing photo sessions. Either way, you will be able to get in amongst everyone and see what you want to see.

If you travel the Rim Trail, you are treated to multiple Overlooks that most people do not get to see. If you stay in one of the cabins, you, more than likely, will have an Overlook right out your front or back door.

This mountain is known for its Overlooks, none of which is disappointing (not even the one that Overlook Nuclear One in Russellville).

Other things to do and places to see…

● Lake Dardanelle State Park

o This park is located in two areas on Lake Dardanelle, a 34,300-acre reservoir on the Arkansas River. The main site is in Russellville where you’ll find the Sport Fishing Weigh-in Pavilion, a fishing pier, swimming beach, boardwalk, trail, and visitor center with five aquariums, and the Lakeview Room meeting facility.

There are 57 campsites in the Russellville area of the park (16 Class AAA, 14 Class AA, and 27 Class B) with 18 Class B sites in the Dardanelle area of the park (https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/lake-dardanelle-state-park).

● Arkansas River Visitor Center

The Arkansas River Visitor Center is located off U.S. State Highway 7 south on Lock & Dam Road at the Russellville Site Office in Russellville, Arkansas. This location is the midpoint of the 450-mile McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.

It also offers wildlife exhibits, a locking through simulator, and some hands-on exhibits. It was designed to acquaint visitors with the Arkansas River and its man-made transformation into a safe, useful, and productive waterway.

The Arkansas River Visitor Center is open: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday — Friday, year-round and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays (https://www.swl.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Arkansas-River/Dardanelle/Recreation-Activities/Visitor-Center/).

● Old Post Recreation Area and Campground

Old Post Road is a Class A Park on Lake Dardanelle & the Arkansas River with flush toilets, showers, a trailer dump station, visitor protection and new, level sites with water and electricity at each.

Facilities include 40 campsites, 8 picnic shelters, boat launch ramp, playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball, soccer field, softball field, disc golf course and mountain biking trails (https://www.arkansas.com/russellville/sports-recreation/old-post-road-recreation-area-campground).

● Bona Dea Trails and Sanctuary

186 acres of wetlands and low woods provide an ideal habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.

Nearly six miles of trails wind through the sanctuary providing a multitude of recreational opportunities such as walking, jogging, nature photography, and nature study.

History

Mount Nebo State Park is a certified Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Site. Mount Nebo, overlooking the Arkansas River from the south, witnessed the removal of all five of the tribes that were removed along the water route of the Trail of Tears. Mount Nebo offers panoramic views of the Arkansas River from the Rim Trail (https://www.arkansas.com/dardanelle/points-interest/mount-nebo-state-park).

Conclusion

This did not disappoint. Now, we waited until the weather was perfect to go as I believe that is a must with this park. You go for the views and scenery. It must be a clear day in order to get the full affect. With that said, we were able to experience this park to its full potential. The trails lived up to the hype and the views were everything we had hoped. We had a picnic behind the Visitor’s Center and just enjoyed the time there.

We came away with many different epic photos and a great day of hiking and exploring. We definitely will be going back here in the heat of the Arkansas summers as it is so much cooler on the top of the mountain. This was a great day and we loved this park!