Arkansas is home to some remarkable long trails, including the Ozark Highlands Trail, the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, and the Buffalo River Trail. These routes offer extensive point to point backpacking, but hikers searching for multi night loop options often find fewer choices. Classic routes like the Shores Lake to White Rock Mountain Loop in the Ozark National Forest and the Eagle Rock Loop in the Ouachita National Forest remain favorites because hikers can park once, spend several days on the trail, and return to the same spot without retracing their steps.
A recent social media post about hiking the Womble Trail brought this idea back into focus. The Womble dates to the 1940s and is best known today as a premier mountain biking route. It was the first trail in Arkansas to receive Epic status from the International Mountain Bicycling Association and has hosted major events, including the Ouachita Challenge, a roughly sixty mile race that combined most of the Womble with segments of the Ouachita Trail. The author of the post wondered why more hikers did not consider the Womble as a backpacking opportunity. The Womble is another great point-to-point ride/hike.
That question resurfaced when Arkansas State Parks announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding to assume management of the Blanchard Springs Caverns Recreation Area. The news prompted a closer look at the nearby Syllamo Trail System in the Syllamo District of the Ozark National Forest. Syllamo once carried Epic status as well and features about fifty miles of singletrack trails that loop and connect across rugged terrain. The system reaches deep into forested hollows, crosses seasonal streams, and offers bluffline views of the White River. It is remote, scenic, and well worth exploring on foot.
The Upper Buffalo Mountain Bike Trails near Pettigrew share a similar character. The network provides about forty miles of connected loops on top of high Ozark ridges and through steep drainages. Like Syllamo, the Upper Buffalo trails sit within a national forest, which allows dispersed camping and gives backpackers a quiet, secluded experience. These loop options offer multi day hiking without the need for a shuttle.
If you are looking for a unique overnight backpacking trip in Arkansas, consider the Syllamo Trail System or the Upper Buffalo Trails for a route that brings you back to your starting point. Basic information about each system is below.
Backpacking the Syllamo Trails
The Syllamo Trail System consists of several interconnected loops that allow hikers to design trips of various lengths. The trails pass through mixed hardwood and pine forests and climb in and out of deep Ozark hollows. Water may be available in seasonal streams, but hikers should be prepared for dry stretches during late summer and fall. The system is well marked at major intersections and includes several access points, which makes route planning flexible for both overnight and multi night trips. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the Ozark National Forest, and many ridge tops offer level, quiet sites.
Because Syllamo was originally designed with mountain biking in mind, some sections feature fast flow and tight turns. Hikers should stay alert and share the trail responsibly. Expect solitude once you move deeper into the system. The terrain can feel rugged and remote compared with more established backpacking routes, and cell service is limited. The rewards include long views, clear streams after rainfall, and quiet forest nights. The Blanchard Springs area provides additional amenities, services, and camping if you want to extend your trip before or after your hike.
Backpacking the Upper Buffalo Trails
The Upper Buffalo Trails, located near Pettigrew in the Boston Mountains portion of the Ozarks, offer a loop based experience similar to Syllamo. The system includes close to forty miles of interconnected singletrack that travel from the high ridgelines down into rich, shaded hollows. Dispersed camping is allowed on national forest land, and the trail provides numerous flat spots near creeks or on ridge tops. Water availability is highly seasonal. Hikers should plan carefully during dry periods and carry sufficient water when hollows are not flowing.
Backpacking in the Upper Buffalo system feels remote and adventurous. Once you get away from the trailheads, you are deep in national forest land with little to no development. Expect steep climbs, rocky tread, and rewarding vistas. The trail network was originally created through volunteer and community efforts to support mountain biking and trail running, and it continues to draw a mix of users. Hikers will find that the loop layout makes it easy to design single night or multi night trips without arranging a shuttle. Wildlife viewing is common, and spring and fall provide the most reliable water and the most comfortable temperatures. We are currently running a series of articles on the history of the Upper Buffalo Trails starting here.
Maps courtesy of MTB Project. Lead photo from the Syllamo Trail System above the White River.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
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