Hobbs State Park Trail

There’s So Much to See and Do at Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area!

Read more about activities at Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area, or jump to specific sections of interest.

Hiking, Biking, & Riding

With over 54 miles of trails Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area features a trail for everyone! Trails are open a half hour prior to sunrise until a half hour after sunset. The exception is Pigeon Roost trail, which remains open for campers. Always check for HSP-CA permitted hunting seasons which can impact trail closures. Current hunting seasons account for 12 days of closure annually and those days are in the late Fall and Winter seasons.

While you’re exploring our trails, be sure to download and participate in the Hobbs Hidden Wonders Scavenger Hunt!

You can share your experience with us by posting it to social media and using the hashtag #ExploreHobbs.

Trails

Learn more about our trails and what Hobbs has to offer.

Length: 18 miles. Two biker only flow trails (loops) and two hiker and biker loops. Main trailhead is available at the visitor center.

Monument Trail Map

Length: 24 miles. Four loops ranging from four to nine miles, including the Bashore/Dutton Hollow spur and spur to visitor center. Two trail heads are available.

Description: The Multi-Use Hidden Diversity Trail is designed for equestrians, mountain bikers and hikers. No motorized vehicles, except for electric bikes, are allowed. Users have the option of four trail sections or loops. The trail follows ridge tops and rims with lots of curves and a few hills that drop 200 to 300 feet in elevation. The entire trail is surrounded by woods that are mainly comprised of oak and hickory.

When weather conditions warrant, the trail is subject to closure. In addition, all or a portion of the park’s trail system may be closed occasionally for permitted hunting seasons or maintenance repair. Contact the park to check on the current trail status before traveling to Hobbs to participate in these activities.

In addition, the Hidden Diversity Trail is closed one day each June to support an annual bike race. Historically this is scheduled on the first Sunday of the month. Please call 479-789-5000 for up-to-date information and/or check the Event Calendar. Hikers and riders should use the Hidden Diversity Trail brochure for more detailed information.

Hidden Diversity Trail Brochure

Length: Half-mile loop. This trail is foot traffic only and ADA accessible.

Description: The Historic Van Winkle Trail is a foot-traffic-only half-mile trail that leads hikers through a tunnel under State Highway 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 vault toilet are located adjacent to the parking area.

Read More in the Trails of Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area Brochure

Length: Half-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 State Highway 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!

Read More in the Trails of Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area Brochure

Length: 8.4 miles. Two loops and foot traffic only.

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 longer day hikes or overnight use at the designated campsites. 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, or depending on the campsite, multiple tent pads, and fire ring. The trailhead and its associated parking area are located on State Highway 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 five 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.

Read More in the Trails of Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area Brochure

Length: One and a half miles. One loop and foot traffic only.

Description: Approximately one mile from the Hwy 12/303N intersection, the one and a half mile Shaddox Hollow Nature Trail can be accessed from its trailhead parking lot.

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.

Trail features include 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. Hikers can observe how flora competes for sun in a park initiated prescribed burn area.

The trail is named after an early settler named Solomon Shaddox. Guided tours available.

Read More in the Trails of Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area Brochure

Length: A quarter mile concrete surface inner loop; and a half mile crushed stone outer “challenge” loop. Wheelchair, baby stroller or foot traffic only.

Description: Two loops give visitors a choice of an almost level ridge top, with a six foot wide concrete inner loop surface trail, or an outer loop, with a four feet wide concrete surface trail. This trail is ADA accessible.

Through direct observation, interpretive hikes, interactive exhibits and panels, students and visitors will learn many geological concepts and features, like the Springfield Plateau which is the Ozark Mountain plateau that encompasses the majority of the park.

Read More in the Trails of Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area Brochure

Learn about the trails at Hobbs!

Be sure to stay apprised of trail closures before making your plans!

Trail Closures

Camping

Come camp Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area! Camping is only permitted in the backpacking, primitive campsites of the Pigeon Roost Trail and the Monument Trail – Karst Loop campsites.

ALL CAMPSITES MUST BE RESERVED IN ADVANCE and are $14/night, before tax.

Make Your Reservation Today!

Campsites

For further camping rules or questions, contact the visitor center at 479-789-5000.

Pigeon Roost Campsites

  • The Pigeon Roost campsites may be accessed by foot only.
  • These campsites, with some with multiple tent pads, are accessible only by hiking about four miles from the Pigeon Roost Trailhead.
  • There are NO toilets at the Pigeon Roost campsites. Bury human waste in a cathole that is 6-8 inches deep and at least 300 feet or more from water (about 100 adult paces).
  • Campsites include tent pads, fire rings/grills, and lantern/trash poles. You can thank local Boy Scouts of America troops for installing these amenities provided as Eagle Scout service projects.

Monument Trail - Karst Loop Campsites

  • The Karst loop campsites may be accessed by foot or bike only and are approximately eight miles from the Monument Trailhead.
  • Designated parking for these campsites is located at the trailhead/parking area for the Monument Trail adjacent to the visitor center.
  • A single toilet is available for the Karst campsites to share.
  • No more than two tents are allowed per campsite. Tents must be placed on the tent pads.
  • Fire rings / grills are available at sites.
Know before you go!
  • All campsites are primitive and have no water or electricity.
  • All trash must be packed out.

Always check for campsite closures before making plans.

Our campsites close during the permitted gun/muzzleloading deer hunts and occasionally for inclement weather.

Campsite Closures

Hunting

2021-2022 Hunting Seasons WMA Zone 320

Since Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is a partner in managing Hobbs State – Park Conservation Area, some hunting seasons are designated annually. These seasons are under the Game and Fish Wildlife Management Area(WMA) program. Some are general, open seasons and others require a specific permit for a specific season. Currently, muzzleloader and gun deer seasons require a drawn HSP-CA permit.

A free annual WMA General Use Permit (WMP) is REQUIRED to hunt or trap on all WMAs.

AGFC permits are available online or by calling 800-364-4263 ext. 6359.

Game

RABBIT
September 1, 2021 – February 28, 2022.
Statewide bag limit.
SQUIRREL
May 15, 2021 – February 28, 2022.
Statewide bag limit.
TURKEY
Fall 2021 – CLOSED
Spring 2022 – CLOSED
BEAR
CLOSED
WILD HOGS
CLOSED
DEER
No dogs.

  • Seasonal limit is 4 deer. No more than ONE antlered buck
  • Muzzleloader and Modern Gun permit: One antlered buck or antlerless
  • Modern Gun Youth hunt: Two deer – One antlered buck and one antlerless
Weapon

ARCHERY/CROSSBOW
September 25, 2021 – February 28, 2022.
Archery zone closed during deer permit hunts.

By permit only

MUZZLELOADER
November 17-21, 2021.
Shooting range closed.
MODERN GUN
December 8-12, 2021.
Shooting range closed.
YOUTH MODERN GUN
January 8-9, 2022.
Shooting range closed.

Please Note

  1. Only Modern Gun and Muzzleloader deer permit holders are allowed to engage in any hunting-related activity during deer permit hunts.
  2. Camping is not allowed during Modern Gun and Muzzleloader hunts.
  3. Use of two-three-four-wheeled or similar off-road motorbikes/ATV’s are not permitted.

CHECK STATIONS

All deer harvested with Modern Guns or Muzzleloaders must be checked in at the Park’s Maintenance Complex on War Eagle Road near the intersection of Hwy 12 and War Eagle Road.

Still have questions?

For all other game and trapping, see the Game and Fish Hunting Regulations Guidebook – Wildlife Management Area Section in the back of the Guidebook under Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area.

Visitor safety is of the utmost importance to us. For this reason we ask that you please abide by closure advisories.

Contact Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area office, 479-789-5000, for information on geographic areas of the park where hunting is permitted and prohibited. Consult the Arkansas Game & Fish Regulation Booklet for all other game and trapping.

For any additional information on hunting regulations at Hobbs State Park (Zone 320), or in Arkansas, please consult the Arkansas Game & Fish Regulations Guidebook, Wildlife Management Area section or visit their website.

Learn More – Game and Fish Guidebook
Park Information Brochure

Shooting Range

Enjoy safe handgun and rifle practice at the free public access Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area shooting range. The concrete floor shooting range accommodates target stands at distances of 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards. Five covered shooting stations are provided, including one barrier-free shooting station which is wheelchair accessible.

Shooters are required to provide their own targets (paper or cardboard only) and clothes pins (wooden only) for affixing targets to the stands. Used targets and brass should be cleaned up before leaving the range.

Safety and courtesy among shooters is of utmost importance. Please call out “RANGE CLEAR” and confirm that all shooting has ceased before entering the target area. If you witness any safety issues, please call the visitor center at 479-789-5000.

Location

The shooting range entry road is near the intersection of State Highways 12 and 303 North. Drive 10 miles east of Rogers Arkansas on Highway 12. Immediately adjacent to, just past the intersection of Highways 12 and 303, turn right on the gravel road leading to the Shooting Range. See map.

Hours

  • Tuesday-Saturday
  • 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Closed During Hobbs gun/muzzleloading deer permit hunts
  • Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

 

How to check the range status

If you are concerned about the usability of the range following bad weather or during hunting seasons check for closure updates or call 479-789-5000.

Range Status

Interested in other programs?

Friends of Hobbs offers many recurring events and programs, both educational and recreational.