Hobbs hiking, biking & riding trails

Hobbs trails have gated access that open approximately 1/2 hour prior to sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset. The exceptions are Ozark Plateau, which closes at 5:00 p.m. every day and Pigeon Roost trail, which remains open for campers. For complete information on Hobbs trails, please download the Trails of Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area brochure.

Monument Trail

Length: 17 miles; two biker only flow trails (loops) and two hiker and biker loops. One trailhead is available at the Visitor Center. 

Monument Trail Map

Hidden Diversity Multi-Use Trail

 View Hidden Diversity Trail brochure .

Historic Van Winkle Trail

Length: .5 mile loop
Description: The Historic Van Winkle Trail is a half-mile trail that leads hikers through a tunnel under Ark. 12 to the site of the historic Van Winkle lumber mill and home in Van Winkle Hollow on the West Fork of Little Clifty Creek. View the remnants of a sawmill and an antebellum garden owned by Peter Van Winkle during the 19th century. Beginning in the 1840s and continuing throughout his life, Van Winkle acquired approximately 17,000 acres of land throughout Washington, Benton, Madison, and Carroll counties by filing for land patents and purchasing foreclosed land. The tunnel and associated walkways were designed to provide barrier-free access to the historic site. Wayside interpretive panels along the trail provide hikers with information about this historic area. The trailhead features a parking lot large enough to accommodate three school buses or recreational vehicles and 18 automobiles. Water fountains and a composting toilet are located adjacent to the parking area.  More information in the Trails of Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area brochure.

Sinking Stream Trail

Length: .5 mile loop
Description:  Foot traffic only and prohibited access to the Multi-Use trail. This is an easy trial with one small elevation increase. The trailhead is in the same vicinity as the Historic Van Winkle Trail. This nature trail travels upstream and Historic Van Winkle travels downstream through the pedestrian tunnel toward Beaver Lake. The trailhead shares the same parking lot, restroom, and picnic area with the Historic Van Winkle Trail on Hwy 12. The trail follows some old level road beds, paralleling the West Fork of Little Clifty Creek, crossing three Boy Scout – Eagle Service Project elevated bridges and returns on the opposite stream bank en-route to the parking area. The upstream portion of the creek sinks under the stream bed gravel, especially during dry spells, then re-emerges further on downstream. A nice spring flows year-round on the west side of the trail and it is reported that at one time this, and many springs in the region, produced moonshine during prohibition. One of the three bridges crosses this spring flow, just below some small beaver dams. Spring flowers abound up this hollow/valley; however, the large sycamore, oak and hickory trees, and spice bush, eventually shade.  More information in the Trails of Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area brochure.

Pigeon Roost Trail & Camp Sites

Length:  8.4 miles; two loops 
Description:  The Pigeon Roost Trail is a double-stacked loop trail, in a figure eight formation, featuring a short loop of approximately four miles for day hiking and a longer loop of eight and one half miles for overnight use. This moderately difficult trail is excellent for beginners, Scouts and families looking for adventure and scenery without having to travel a great distance. Campsites are marked with signs and each has a tent pad and fire ring. The trailhead and its associated parking area are located on Arkansas Hwy 12. The trail passes several sinkholes and some portions follow ridges overlooking Beaver Lake. Some of the primitive campsites on the trail offer views of the lake, especially in winter when leaves are off the trees in the surrounding Ozark oak/hickory/pine forest. Wild turkey, whitetail deer and other wildlife are commonly seen along the trail. About 100 yards down from the trailhead, on the right, stands an uncommon tree, bent into two right angles. It may be a marker tree or “thong” tree. Native Americans marked trails, springs, caves, salt supplies, river crossings, etc. with trees bent to grow in this unusual fashion. The trail is named for the now extinct passenger pigeon which once roosted by the millions here. Pigeon Roost Trail received its name from the fact that huge numbers of passenger pigeons seasonally roosted from Van Winkle Hollow to the Madison/Benton County line....a roost some 5 miles in length. Massive market hunting and the clearing of forested land in the late 1800’s led to the sudden extinction of this bird. The last official stronghold of the passenger pigeon was on property that is now Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area. More information in the Trails of Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area brochure.

PLEASE NOTE: In the Near Future, Pigeon Roost Trail Campsites will have a per campsite fee of $13 a night and must be reserved at https://www.arkansasstateparks.com or by calling 1-877-879-2741. Any questions please contact Hobbs State Park at 479-789-5000.

Shaddox Hollow Trail 

Length: 1.5 mile loop
Description: The one-and-one-half-mile Shaddox Hollow Nature Trail can be accessed from its trailhead parking lot located on Arkansas 303, approximately one mile from the intersection on the north side of Arkansas Hwy 12. The first one-half mile of this loop trail follows a ridgeline, providing an easy hike. The trail then descends into Shaddox Hollow. The descent is rather steep in places. This trail winds along the creek through stands of hardwoods and other native Ozark vegetation. Interesting limestone bluffs are found along this section. After progressing up the creek, the trail begins the ascent back to the trailhead. This climb can be strenuous in places.  Disappearing/sinking streams, typical Ozark forest, limestone bluffs with glades above, wildflowers in season, icicles in winter, spur to Beaver Lake shoreline, ancient fossils, spice bushes, Native American thong trees, dogwood, service berry, and redbuds blooming in springtime. Observe how flora competes for sun in a burn area. The trail is named after an early settler named Solomon Shaddox. Guided tours available. More information in the Trails of Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area brochure.

Ozark Plateau Trail

Length: .25 of a mile concrete surface inner loop; and .50 of a mile crushed stone outer “challenge” loop. Wheelchair, baby stroller or foot traffic only.
Description: This barrier-free trail is adjacent to the Visitor Center and the trailhead is a short walk on the paved sidewalk to your right as you leave the Center. Two loops give visitors a choice of an almost level ridge top, with a six foot wide concrete surface trail, or a slightly more challenging outer loop, with crushed stone surface. Each loop has 7 spaced resting benches with wider turnouts providing room for small groups to observe plants and animals that live on ridge tops and in the surrounding valleys or hollows. The name of the trail, “Ozark Plateau”, relates to the unique topography that encompasses the park and the surrounding Ozark region. What are commonly called “hills” or some may refer to as “mountains” are actually the remains of an eroded flat ocean floor. This ocean floor was originally uplifted by geological forces within the earth and over time it has been influenced by erosional hydrological forces – rainfall and runoff. Both trail loops traverse through a dry ridge top full of low bush blueberries, tall pines, hickory and oak trees. The lower loop also skirts the edge of two cooler, moister hollows where intermittent seasonal springs flow and in these areas plant representation changes. Glimpses of classic Ozark animal and bird species can be observed if you look closely. Through direct observation, interpretive hikes, interactive exhibits and panels, students and visitors will learn many plateau concepts and features one of which is “karst” topography, how it was formed, and why this is so important to our health and welfare today. More information in the Trails of Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area brochure.

Trail Closures

Occasionally some trails may also close due to special events, hunting seasons or weather-related problems.  Click HERE for current trail status.

Be Aware of Trail Closures Due to Hunting Seasons
During permit hunts, the Shooting Range and following trails will be closed:

Closures include fall gun and muzzle loading deer seasons, and fall youth gun deer season. There are 12 days for permit hunts during the fall of each year, which include some weekends. Additionally, the range may be closed during inclement weather. The current Arkansas Game & Fish Hunting Guide book will list permit hunt dates, or call Hobbs State Park Conservation Area at 479-789-5000.