Bear Hollow Trail, AR

Hiking on top of Magazine Mountain involves choosing which variety of connecting routes you want to enjoy over the course of the day. This trail is a must to include in any day's looping route. Bear Hollow Trail follows the upper rim of Bear Hollow from the Benefield Picnic area to it's northern end on Hiway 309, just south of the horse camp. The scenery is some of the best to be found on the mountain, including Inspiration Point, Sunrise Rock and Shoal Creek. Seasonal streams develop nice waterfall formations. The upper sections of the hollow contain virgin forest, some of the only unlogged areas remaining in Arkansas. Parts of the trail were constructed in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA).


The high orientation of this trail, like the Rim Trail, allow for distant vista views off of the various cliff overhangs. Caution needs to be exercised along those sections that do move close to and out onto the ridge cliffs.

Also, the area is frequented by bears. Be aware and know how you want to handle any chance encounter.

While this trail would make a nice out and back route, the true potentials are better captured by planning on a series of connecting routes creating a nice looping hike. Check at the Ranger Station (along Hiway 309) or at the lodge on top of the mountain for information about all of the trails, and for nice trail brochures and maps.

Camping in the area is allowed only up at the Signal Hill campground, although the state park is surrounded by National Forest, so there are potentials for backpacking and adjacent camping close by. Also, there is a very new and modern lodge up on top of the mountain. It includes gift shops, restaurant, and lodging.

Note: Watch how you start the hike from the Benefield Picnic area... there is a spur trail that begins further around in the area that would miss Sunrise Rock and Inspiration Point. Do not accidentally omit that section!

Check out the Triplog.

Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.

2010-03-26 imike