Spending time outdoors in Arkansas is one of life’s greatest pleasures—until things don’t go quite as planned. Whether you’re hiking deep into the backcountry or simply pulling into a state park campground, small mishaps can and do happen. The key is how well you’re prepared—and how you respond when things go sideways.
Be Like the Boy Scouts: Preparedness Matters
One memorable example comes from a Boy Scout troop out of Louisiana. While hiking in the Albert Pike Recreation Area, they were caught off guard by unexpected heavy rain. Originally planning to finish their trip before the storm arrived, they instead found themselves stranded.
Search and rescue teams were dispatched when the group didn’t return on schedule. Fortunately, everyone was found safe—and impressively well-prepared. The scouts had checked in with rangers before their hike, left a detailed itinerary with someone not on the trip, packed extra food, and made the wise choice to wait when rising waters blocked their path. According to a leader, the helicopter rescue was the most exciting part of the ordeal.
The lesson? Even when things go wrong, proper planning can make all the difference. While some questioned why they hiked with rain in the forecast, it was their preparedness and decision-making that turned a potential tragedy into a valuable life experience. The Boy Scout Motto: Be Prepared.
A Thanksgiving Backpacking Lesson
During one Thanksgiving weekend, our family set out on a 21-mile backpacking trip, hoping to spark a love of hiking in our youngest child. With cool, sunny weather, we looked forward to a few days on the trail—and a traditional camping dinner of mac and cheese with summer sausage.
That is, until our stove broke the next morning.
A leaky fuel line meant no coffee, no oatmeal, and no hot meals unless we improvised. We switched to campfire cooking, but first, we needed the right rock to create a makeshift stove. After a few too-round, too-small, and one-too-scorpiony candidates (yes, we accidentally tried to evict a scorpion family), we finally found a safe, flat rock. The fire-roasted jambalaya that night? Absolutely worth it.
Lesson learned: Always carry backup food that doesn’t need cooking—and check your stove before every trip.
The Boot Flap Fiasco
On a backpacking trip around the 27-mile Eagle Rock Loop—one of Arkansas’s most rugged and rewarding trails—I noticed my boots felt off around mile 14. Moments later, I saw it: the sole of one boot flapping like an old flag in the wind. My trusty Lowas had finally given out.
But all was not lost. We had wrapped duct tape around one of our water bottles years ago. It was just sticky enough to hold the sole in place for the rest of the hike. I miss those boots, but I now carry fresh duct tape in my pack, every time.
Pro tip: Duct tape is essential gear. It really does hold the trail (and the universe) together.
Squirrel Sabotage at the Campsite
At Bull Shoals–White River State Park, we were so eager to hit the trail that I made a rookie mistake: I left a laundry basket full of food unattended at the campsite. A squirrel with a sharp bite and zero morals chewed through the hard plastic to reach our tortillas.
I felt worse for the squirrel than for myself—hard plastic can’t be good for the digestive system. But the tortillas were gone, and breakfast plans had to change.
Moral of the story: Squirrels are crafty. Never leave food unattended, especially in Arkansas’s state parks. They are way outside the circle of trust.
Hike Smart and Camp Confidently
Outdoor adventures rarely go perfectly, but that’s part of what makes them memorable. The key is to expect the unexpected, pack extra essentials, and maintain a sense of humor when things go off-script.
Whether you’re exploring the Ozarks, the Ouachitas, or the banks of the Buffalo, a little extra preparation can turn a disaster into just another story around the campfire.
Final tip: Always carry more than you think you need. You may regret the extra weight—until you don’t.
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!
