Rail-Trail
State: AR Length: 1.30 miles Surface: Asphalt, Concrete
The Frisco Trail connects the vibrant entertainment center of Fayetteville on Dickson Street with newer development on the south side of Fayetteville. Dickson Street includes numerous restaurants, some of which are trailside; the Walton Arts Center and its Baum Learning Center; and the Fayetteville Public Library via a steep uphill spur. The tree-shaded trail parallels an active rail corridor for a portion of its route. In the early 2000s, the city of Fayetteville succeeded in negotiating for placement of a portion of the Frisco Trail immediately adjacent to the railroad corridor, which is used by the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad for both freight and excursion passenger trips. The trail now provides a safe alternative to accessing the city's entertainment district for those on bicycle or foot. On its route from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the connection with the Scull Creek Trail at West Prospect Street, the Frisco Trail passes through Frisco Park, an undeveloped section of woods. Night-time travelers need not worry, though—the trail is well-lit. This portion of trail follows an abandoned railroad bed that was originally built by the Pacific & Greater Eastern Railroad at the end of the 19th century. Later it was used by the Ozark & Cherokee Central during the early part of the 20th century before it was taken over by the St. Louis & San Francisco Railway, better known as the Frisco. The corridor was abandoned in the early 1980s but remained undeveloped until the city bought the right of way at the beginning of this century. The trail provides a direct route through downtown Fayetteville that makes climbing the steep hills of the surrounding streets unnecessary. Benches are plentiful, and users will likewise appreciate the well-maintained asphalt surface. Although a relatively short 1.3 mile trail in the heart of Fayetteville, the Frisco Trail provides a seamle
State: AR Length: 2.35 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Mud Creek Trail follows its namesake Mud Creek, known as Freyschlag Creek in the 19th century, from North Old Missouri Road at the eastern terminus to the connection with Scull Creek Trail at Steele Boulevard in the west. The 10-foot-wide asphalt trail includes a short stretch on North Front Street, which has bike lanes. The trail runs past numerous residences, retail stores, restaurants and a movie theater, all while providing a secluded place to experience nature. The Mud Creek Trail's connection with the Scull Creek Trail, which itself connects to the Frisco Trail in downtown Fayetteville, provides a continuous network of 7.6 miles of trail to the residents of the city. A spur to the north of the Mud Creek Trail also connects with bike lanes on Vantage Drive to give bicyclists a route to the Lake Fayetteville Nature Trail on the north side of Fayetteville. Benches are available along the Mud Creek Trail.
State: AR, OK Length: 223 miles Surface: Dirt, Grass
The Ouachita National Recreation Trail runs for 223 miles through the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma. The stretches between Oklahoma's Talimena State Park and Arkansas's Pinnacle Mountain State Park, near Little Rock. It's open to hikers for its entire route but to mountain bikers only between miles 0 and 30.5 and 54 and 160. Mountain bikes are not allowed in the wilderness areas of the Ouachita National Forest (Flatside Wilderness, the Upper Kiamichi Wilderness). The trail has shelters for overnight camping. For more information and for trail maps, contact the Ouachita National Forest.
State: AR Length: 6.50 miles Surface: Asphalt, Gravel
The Rice Carden Walking Trail runs between Garrison Avenue at the Mill Creek North Trail and Fort Smith Park, following along the Clayton Expressway and the Arkansas River in Fort Smith, between the Arkansas River and Clayton Expressway. The northern end finishes abruptly at a set of railroad tracks but the gravel trail still makes for a pleasant out-and-back trip of 13 miles.
State: AR Length: 3.93 miles Surface: Asphalt, Concrete
The Scull Creek Trail, which opened in October of 2008, extends from the Frisco Trail at West Prospect Street north to the Mud Creek Trail at Steele Boulevard, providing a continuous 7.6 mile trail network through the heart of Fayetteville. The Scull Creek Trail is considered the "backbone" of Fayetteville's trail system, in equal parts because of its central location in the city and its connectivity to much of what Fayetteville has to offer, including private residences, businesses, the University of Arkansas, and many parks. The 12-foot wide paved surface of the Scull Creek Trail can accommodate a high number of users ranging from alternative transportation commuters to those participating in a variety of recreational activities. No matter their intended use, travelers of the trail will appreciate the scenery of the mature trees that line the corridor. The trail is constructed of concrete in low areas and asphalt in higher areas. Lighting is included throughout the trail for use in the evenings. While the Scull Creek Trail follows its namesake waterway for most of its route, the trail crosses Scull Creek at six locations with beautiful metal pedestrian bridges. Under the Fulbright Expressway, the Scull Creek Trail also includes the longest pedestrian tunnel in the state of Arkansas at 650 well-lit feet long.