Cove Lake Trail / Mt Magazine Trail, AR

Cove Lake Trail, also called Mount Magazine Trail, drops over 1500' from the ridges of Mount Magazine down to the Cove lake basin, passing briefly through and out of the state park, then proceeding down and across the Ozark National Forest where camping is allowed.


Starting in the Cameron Bluff Campground, most of the trail is in the Ozark National Forest with only half of a mile in the state park boundaries. It can be hiked in a full day but is best enjoyed at a slower pace and is excellent for beginning backpackers. Explore stands of virgin hardwoods. Watch for white-tailed deer and turkey. Hunting is allowed in the national forest so be aware of the seasons and wear bright colored clothing. Additional trails circle the lake, and the Forest Service Recreation Area at Cove Lake has camping, picnicking, and swimming.If desiring a bit of backpacking, or a more demanding day hike, this trail may be your best choice on Magazine Mountain. It can be nice to start the hike over at the Ranger Station/Visitor Center, adding that 2.7 miles to the distance, along with those great cliff overviews of the valley you are about to descend into.

Since this hike begins at the Cameron Bluff Campgrounds, you may want to take advantages of the facilities there:

The Cameron Bluff Campground offers 18 campsites (including Class AAA and Class AA including Tent rates). Each site has electric, water, and sewer hookups with a large tent pad, picnic table, upright and ground grill, light pole, and a spacious camping area.

All sites offer 30 amp electric services except for sites #3 and #5, which are supplied with 50 amp service. Site #7 is a barrier-free ADA campsite. Paved parking areas range from 47 to 75 feet in length and are generally very level. Most of the sites will allow for awnings and pull-outs on each side of the camping unit. The new bathhouse open throughout the year in the campground offers hot showers and flush toilets.

The campground is located in a wooded area north of the highpoint on Signal Hill, the tallest point in Arkansas. Camping here is especially popular during summer because of the mountain's cooler temperatures that are usually 10 degrees cooler than in the valleys below. Another advantage to camping on the mountain is that mosquitoes are usually non-existent.

When the campground is full, campers can choose from two overflow camping areas at the Brown Springs picnic area and the horse camp.

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