Natural Area Hiking Trails: System of Natural Areas map of regions of remaining examples of Arkansas natural communities

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Big Creek Hiking Trail

Description:

Big Creek Natural Area in Cleburne County includes approximately five miles of the course of Big Creek, a major tributary of the Little Red River. In places, rocky streamside bluffs rise as high as 200 feet above the creek, creating dramatic scenery. Fishing is permitted in Big Creek, with appropriate licenses from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Access:

Click the map for a print version (pdf)

Take State Highway 110 east of Heber Springs to Wilburn. From Wilburn, take a gravel county road (Tyler Road) east for approximately 0.7 miles. Following this, turn right on the first gravel county road and continue for approximately 1.5 miles to the entrance of the natural area.

Trail Information:

Click the map for a print version (pdf)

Big Creek's trail system consists of two loops, totaling 2.4 miles in length. The trail is a primitive foot trail and is of moderate difficulty due to rugged terrain. One trail loop leads down to Big Creek itself, an especially nice spot during the summer. The other trail runs along a ridge that provides awesome overlooks of the surrounding landscape. Use caution in these areas as a fall from any of the overlooks could prove fatal.