20 minutes from Paris, Arkansas, Mount Magazine State Park has a huge list of options for you when it comes to outdoor adventure. From hiking to hang gliding, even hiking to the tallest point in Arkansas, you can do it at Mount Magazine.
Activities
Living in Dallas, I had no idea that Arkansas had a huge outdoor adventure scene. Turns out, there’s a LOT of activities available at the mountain:
Hikers and Backpackers come to summit the highest point in Arkansas (2,753′). The trails system within the park is 14.2 miles, but connecting trails provide more than 12 additional miles of trekking. If you do choose to backpack, I recommend my favorite bag for women, Osprey’s Aura AG (in purple, of course).
Campers set up in between the trails and the numerous viewpoints encircling the mountaintop.
Mountain bikers enjoy 34 miles of trail (at least) connecting Mount Magazine and Huckleberry Mountain. Horseback and ATV riders also use these trails.
Rock climbers drive for hours to boulder, sport climb and rappel at the park.
Hang gliders swarm for one of the most popular jumping locations in the state.
Birders come to the area to watch the wildlife, including the Rufous-crowned Sparrow.
Adventurers seeking a bit more comfort also enjoy renting a cabin or staying in the lodge at the southern rim of the mountain.
Camping, Glamping or Ultimate Comfort?
At Mount Magazine, you have 3 options of where to stay: the lodge, a cabin, or outside at a campsite. While I did not stay at the park overnight, each area was conveniently close to the trails and multiple viewpoints on the mountain. If you have a specific activity in mind, you will want to book a stay nearby.
For example – if you are planning to hang glide, you will want to stay in the cabin right next to the launching point. If you are hoping to take advantage of the trails and hike the tallest point in Arkansas(Signal Hill), you will be closer if you book a campsite by the North Rim.
Super tip: Cove Lake Recreation area
Here’s a secret: you can camp 10 minutes away from the mountain for half the price and twice the fun. Cove Lake Recreation Area costs $19 a night to stay, and you get to add swimming, fishing and boating to your list of possible activities.
I chose to stay at the Rec Area, and set up my camping hammock at my campsite. Most sites are close enough to the lake that you will be able to feel a cool breeze throughout the night.
Trail Details (Highpoint Included)
When planning your trails at the park, you can use the official website, but I would highly recommend downloading Hiking Project. The maps are downloadable, and the website version is fairly difficult to read.
Hiking Signal Hill Trail, The Arkansas Highpoint (That’s right, Mount Magazine is the tallest mountain in Arkansas) is a no-brainer. The hike is surprisingly easy (less than one mile from the campsites) and it’s so satisfying to say that you’ve “highpointed” Arkansas.
If you want to take advantage of the nearly-panoramic views at the mountain, include the Bear Rim Trail, Mossback Ridge Trail, and North Rim Trail. These cover the northern, eastern, and southern sides of the park, and run fairly close to the edge on some occasions. As a result, you will catch countless unobstructed views of the hills and valleys on each side of the mountain. To add the western side of the mountain to your trip, check out Sunset Point below.
Looking for the ultimate backpacking challenge at Mount Magazine? Start at Cove Lake Recreation Area (the same one I mentioned before for camping) and attack the Mt. Magazine/Cove Lake Trail. 10 miles one way (20 round trip), the trail starts at the lake and climbs over 1,500 feet in elevation. Add Signal Hill Trail at the end, and you can say you’ve climbed the entire mountain.
bonus trail: Sunset point
If you want to get the best hiking experience at Mount Magazine, you need to go to the Visitor’s Center and ask for the Sunset Point trail map. The trails on this map are NOT on the official state park trail, and they are worth it.
Sunset Point lies at the end of a 2.5 miles hike towards the west side of the mountain. Among other locations on this easter egg map, Sunset Point is the ideal place to watch the sunset. Let me know in the comments below if you check it out!
Looking for an Indulgent Post-Hike Meal?
The small town of Paris lies 25 minutes north of Mount Magazine State Park. Of the 6 restaurant options in this town, Pizza Barn shines for me. Rated 4.5 on yelp, you can get a beer and a medium pizza for $20.
After a long day of adventure, getting a pizza all for yourself can be extremely satisfying. I recommend building your own pizza – and don’t forget to ask for garlic salt!
Extra Activity: Geocaching
Last (but not least), don’t forget to keep your eye out for geocaches in the park! I’m not going to spoil the location of the cache that we found, but keep your eye out! You might even want to bring a small token to leave behind for the next adventurer.
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