OHT: Section 1—Lake Ft. Smith to White Rock Mountain

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Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Fishing · Historical Significance · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

• Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT)

White Rock Mountain campground has tent and cabin sites, water, trash, and even a small store with snacks and electricity.
Check with the Forest service for fall hunting season & wear orange!
Free camping along the trail (Please practice LNT!) starting at mile 5.

The Ozark Highlands Trail begins at Lake Ft. Smith Park just to the left of the visitor's center and kicks off Section 1. It is hard to miss as Mile 0 is clearly marked with large sign. There is no fee to enter the park, only if you camp within it. The trail crosses the park boundary at around mile 5.

But wait! As you follow the lake shoreline, you'll pass by a few historical homestead ruins (stone chimneys) from when this land was "settled". At around mile 3, you cross Frog Bayou Creek which may be ankle to waist high water… check with the rangers at the visitor's center before you leave. The trail follows a creek and passes over several others; many which have some nice but small waterfalls.

After passing the last reliable water at Hurricane Creek at mile 10, you'll be climbing up to White Rock Mountain. If you have time, take the short trail up to the summit where the locals watch the sunset and enjoy eye-popping bluff views… especially in the fall when the leaves change color! The campground has water, trash, and even a small store with snacks and electricity.

Fall colors on this trail are astounding. Best time is mid to late November.

Deer, squirrels, birds (notably eagles, hawks, and owls), black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and even wolves are present along the entire trail