Little Missouri Trail

Ouachita National Forest (AR)

The Little Missouri Trail is a fifteen-mile trail along the Little Missouri River.  Numerous trail heads let it be used for short hikes or long hikes.  The trail passes the Little Missouri Falls (a large cascade) and then winds through some of the most scenic country in the Ouachita mountains, including Albert Pike campground.  Farther south, it passes an area known as Winding Stairs, a smaller cascade with stunning rock formations and a nice swimming area, perfect for "Hike & Swim" and lunch stops.  The trail crosses the river several times, and several creeks -- often wet crossings.  The Trail connects to the Athens Big-Fork Trail (northwest) and the Viles Branch Trail (southeast) to form the Eagle Rock Loop.  See separate entries for Eagle Rock Loop, Athens Big-Fork, and Viles Branch. The trail is marked with white blazes.

     Planning notes: 

Beautiful fall color; lots of water in the spring.

This trail offers both longer (Thursday) hikes and a couple of good Saturday hikes.  It is @ 8 miles from Athens TH to Albert Pike, passing the Little Missouri Falls.  It is 6.3 miles from falls to Albert Pike.

Winding Stairs is 1.7 miles from FR 106 TH (or 3.7 mi from Albert Pike) making a good "in and out" for Hike & Swim.  Same spot is 1.6 miles from southern TH, but less accessible.

For Saturdays, consider the long drive (90 minutes from HSV) often resulting in more commute time than hiking time.

    Access Notes: There are six primary trailheads.

North end (Athens Big-Fork Trail) / FR 25 TH:  From Alfred Pike campground, take FR73 (@2mi) to FR43 (@4mi) to FR 25 past Little Missouri Falls picnic area.  TH is on FR25, 3.3 miles past picnic area.    Big parking lot.

Little Missouri Falls / FR 25 TH: as above, but stop at Little Missouri Falls.  Large parking area; trail is just across the bridge. 

Albert Pike Campground:  Take US 70 W thru Glenwood to Salem.  Turn West on AR 84 to Langley; turn right (N) on AR 369; proceed @ 6 miles to Albert Pike Campground.  Turn left in the campground on FR 106 and cross the low water bridge.  Trailhead is near intersection just across bridge.  Lots of parking. Restrooms in campground.

FR 106 / Blaylock Creek TH:  Proceed as above, but continue on FR 106 about 2 miles to smaller parking lot, marked for "Winding Stairs TH".

Southern end  (Musgrave Hole):  This is the least developed of the trailheads and hardest to find.  Unmarked; limited parking. Stay on 84 2.7 miles past Langley.  Just prior to crossing the Little Missouri River, turn right (N) on FR 10100.  Go 1.1 miles and turn left at the chicken houses and go as far as the rapidly deteriorating road allows.  The road flows into the trail 2.2 miles past the turn.

   For additional info:

            Tim Ernst: "Arkansas Hiking Trails" (p.165)

            USFS trail map

            Glenwood Ranger District

            Club member Charline Knight knows this area very well.

Hikes:

Sep 25, 2003   Leader: Charline Knight                   16 Hikers  OMH Thursday

     Route:   Little Missouri Falls to Albert Pike Campground

6.3 miles Difficulty Rating 2             Scenic Rating 3

 Waterfall:   Little Missouri Falls

Beautiful day. quite dry;  falls are pretty, but barely running on this day. 

Several crossings, none difficult Lunch on rocks at last major crossing of the river.

     Feb 4, 2003    Leader:  Jim Gifford                          2 Hikers Scouting Hike

Route:   Winding Stair.  In-and-out from FR 106 TH.

4.0 miles  Difficulty Rating 3             Scenic Rating 4

           Waterfall:  Winding Stairs cascade

Primary mission to assure we could cross the river Thursday – OK

    Nov 9, 2002 Leader: Charline Knight                      8 Hikers OMH Saturday

Route:   From Albert Pike campground north a couple of miles and return.

         5   miles Difficulty Rating 2             Scenic Rating 4

sss rock/cliff formations along river bluff line

       Water was high, so Charline changed our original plan for this hike.

      Jun 15, 2002 Leader: Charline Knight                   OMH Saturday

       Route:   Winding Stairs.  In-and-out "Hike and Swim" from southern TH of Little Missouri Trail.

      4.5   miles Difficulty Rating 2             Scenic Rating 4

Sss: Winding Stairs                             Waterfall:  Winding Stairs cascade

    Beautiful swimming hole (but the water was cold). Last hike of season.