Top 10 Outdoor Pursuits – Fall 2016
January 01, 2020
One mission of RecLife is to get people outside so that they can see God in creation,
relate with Him and build relationships with others through adventure. The fall season
is a wonderful time to adventure in the Ouachita Mountains, and the cool temperatures
make getting outside even more enjoyable. Below is a list of 10 outdoor pursuits everyone
should experience this fall.
1. Hike and hammock DeSoto Bluff
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Time: 20-30 minutes
Experience Time: As long as you wish
Many people take advantage of the bluff for hammocking and relaxing. However, many
people don’t know there is actually a hiking trail from campus. From main campus,
walk the sidewalk north up 8th Street. When you get to the intramural fields you have two options:
1) Walk through the grass by the intramural fields and soccer field. Keep going north
and the trees will close in and lead you to a trail that goes up the bluff. Take caution
as this trail is thrilling and steep. Once you reach the top of the trail, turn right
and walk along the bluff edge to reach DeSoto Bluff.
2) Follow 8th Street past Carter Road, where it turns into Phelps Circle. After you pass 3 houses
on your right there will be an “OBU Property” sign. Turn right on the trail here and
follow it to and up the easy hillside. Once you reach the top of the hill turn right
to reach DeSoto Bluff.
More info here.
2. Fish lower Degray Lake
Difficulty: Easy
Travel Time: 10 minutes
Experience Time: As long as you wish
This 400-acre lake is a peaceful getaway for anyone looking to catch some fish. Take
Lower Dam Pike out of Caddo Valley to its terminus at the Lower Dam Park. This location
allows you to fish the Caddo River below the dam or the lake above. You can fish from
the bank or rent a canoe from RecLife. Take some time to take in the scenery and look
for the abundant waterfowl. More info here.
3. Lake Catherine State Park Hiking
Difficulty: Easy
Travel Time: 45 minutes
Experience Time: 2-3 hours
Park at the main trailhead in the campground and there are a variety of trail options.
One great option is the Falls Branch Trail. Follow the red blazes for this 2-mile
round trip trail. Walk the trail counter-clockwise and the 10-foot waterfall will
be near the end. More info here.
4. Backpack Eagle Rock Loop
Difficulty: Hard
Travel Time: 1.5 hour
Experience Time: 1-3 days
There are many great day hikes on this loop, including the section of trail near Little
Missouri Falls, but there is nothing more powerful than backpacking the entire 26
mile loop. The northeast portion of the trail is a gentle walk along the Little Missouri
River while the Western side goes up and over several peaks and ridges. A great way
to hike the trail is to park at the Winding Stairs trailhead and hike clockwise. This
allows the hiker to end with the less difficult portion of the hike. Contact RecLife
for information on rental gear for this trip. More info here.
5. Hot Springs hiking
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Travel Time: 45 minutes
Experience Time: 1-2 hours
Hot Springs National Park has some great hiking trails just behind Bathhouse Row.
From the cascade and thermal pool at the north end of Bathhouse Row, take the stairs
up to the Grand Promenade. Follow signs for the Peak Trail. There is some route finding
involved, but look for the signs and, when in doubt, head uphill. The trail finishes
at the top of Hot Springs Mountain. From here you can go up the Observation Tower
for $7 per person or walk to the east side of the ridge for some free views. To lengthen
your hike you could take the Hot Springs Mountain Trail or you can head back down.
Return on the Shortcut and Dead Chief Trail to make this a 1.5 mile hike ending on
the Grand Promenade. As you walk along the Grand Promenade, think about all the people
who used to walk along that path after a soak in one of the bathhouses. Finish with
an après hike drink at Kollective Coffee and Tea. More info here.
6. Mountain Bike at Iron Mountain
Difficulty: Easy to Difficult
Travel Time: 20 min
Experience Time: 1-4 hours
This set of trails is rated #2 in Arkansas, so don’t miss out. The 16 miles of trail
is broken into 5 colored trails that can be done as loops or linked together for a
longer ride. The 5-mile white trail is the easiest and has great views of Lake DeGray.
For some great hill climbing and descending try the yellow trail. There are several
trailheads to access the trails. The white trail can be accessed at the Upper Mountain
Trailhead on Skyline Drive about 3 miles west of Highway 7. The yellow trail can be
accessed from the Spillway Trailhead about 1 mile down Skyline Drive, which is about
1 mile west of Highway 7. Contact RecLife to rent mountain bikes for your adventures.
More info here.
7. Canoe the Caddo River
Difficulty: Easy
Travel Time: 10 min
Experience Time: 1.5-2.5 hours
Fall is a great time to canoe the Caddo River from the Lower Dam to Caddo Valley.
You can rent canoes from RecLife and put in at the Lower Dam Boat Ramp. The water
level is low right now so it makes for a relaxing float. Be sure to follow the main
channel or you might become grounded on a gravel bar. Contact the RecLife director
about renting a canoe (and if you ask nicely he might even let you use the access
at his house as a take-out point). More info here.
8. Camp at the Blue Hole
Difficulty: Easy
Travel Time: 1.5 hours
Experience Time: 1-2 days
The Blue Hole near Hopper, Ark., is a great place to camp and enjoy God’s creation.
This land is privately owned, but the owner wants people to experience nature so they
allow camping, hiking, ATVs and more for free. To get there, follow Hwy 240 through
Hopper, take a left onto NFW 517, then right on NFW 99. A small dirt entrance on the
left will take you directly to the Blue Hole. Please be respectful of this area and
leave it better than you find it. More info here.
9. Walk/jog Feaster Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Travel Time: 5 min walk
Experience Time: 1-2 hours
This paved trail leads from North Campus all the way through town to Baptist Health
Medical Center. It is 2 miles one way and offers a great chance to get out and walk
outside. To reach the beginning of the trail, walk up 8th Street from Main Campus. As you approach Cliff Harris Stadium, you will notice a
paved sidewalk on the south side of the parking lot. If you take this to the right
the trail will lead around the north side of the Facilities Maintenance Complex to
the Ouachita River and the end of the trail. If you take it left it will lead you
all the way to the medical center. The trail follows a creek much of the way and goes
through several parks as well. Note that to cross 10th Street you must walk up the road embankment and cross the road. More info here.
10. Disc Golf
Difficulty: Easy
Travel Time: Varies
Experience Time: 1-2 hours
There are several great disc golf courses in the area and RecLife offers free rentals
of disc golf equipment. The closest course is on North Campus near the intramural
and soccer fields. The first tee is near the intramural field parking lot. (One of
the last holes is missing so just play on.) Another great course to play is at the
Lower Dam Park in Caddo Valley. This course offers a variety of open greens and tree-holes.
The first tee is near the bathrooms. This course is about 10 minutes from campus.
Double that drive and you can play at DeGray Lake Resort State Park. This course begins
at the State Park Visitor Center. More info here and here.
*Note: Travel times stated are one-way
If you have any questions regarding any of these adventures please contact RecLife
Director Shane Seaton. For information on Ouachita's equipment rentals, see here.
By Shane Seaton, Ouachita's director of recreational life.
< Previous – Four years of guarding the Tiger <
> Next – Top 10 Outdoor Pursuits – Fall 2016 >
Do you have a story you’d like to tell on the Ouachita Voices blog? Or a friend who needs to tell a story on the blog? Contact [email protected] with your idea.
You Also Might Like
Recent
