Big Spring Nature Trail

Arkansas

4 Reviews

Big Spring Nature Trail is located in the heart of Cotter, once a railroad boomtown in north-central Arkansas surrounded by the Ozark Mountains. The city sits in a horseshoe bend of the White River, which offers beautiful scenery and gives the town its nickname of "Trout Capital, USA."

The wooded trail begins in Big Spring Park, an important recreational amenity for the community, offering athletic fields, picnic areas, a swimming hole and boat ramp. The park also has two special features: the Anglin-Tinnon Railroad Workers' Memorial, honoring the town's unique history, and the R.M. Ruthven Rainbow Arch Bridge, built in 1930 and included on the National Register of Historic Places. From under the bridge, the trail continues northeast along the east bank of the river on a former railroad bed, traveling nearly 3 miles to Denton Ferry.

Parking and Trail Access

Ample parking is available in Cotter's Big Spring Park, on the banks of the White River.

Shaded and Short

June 2022 9488cyjtp7

Took our bikes on this trail early In the morning. We are staying at the campground right next to the trail. Nice ride in the shade before the 100 degree temps. The city part, boat launch and riverfront were very nice. Closer to 2 miles each way. It was perfect for us today.

Not quite 2.8 miles

July 2020 gaber.family

Per the other two reviews, this is more of a walking trail than a biking trail. Several stretches of loose gravel make it not suitable for road bikes. Per title, shorter than advertised on app. Three stars was perhaps a gift.

Big Spring Walking Trail

October 2014 pandas39

I ran this trail from His Place Resort all the way to the Big Spring Park in the morning. The trail consists of grey, crushed hard gravel, great for walking, running or biking. They even had a bench about a mile from my cabin. You can see the river for most of the way but its starts to get farther away as you head toward the park. Then as you get closer to the park, the River comes back into the view.
I wasn’t the only person out on the trail, there was a county truck checking out the trail and two other mountain bikers.
There is a rock cliff wall on the other side that overlooks the River. I even spotted two small caves that were right at the end of the trail. The trail is covered by tall trees so it was nice and cool for my run.
I was really excited I didn't have to drive somewhere to get in my run that morning. I heard it continues on once you pass the gate near the campgrounds but I didn't get to check it out.

Cotter Arkansas RTC

December 2012 joechum

Camping with the family at Denton Ferry, I took my son on a hike along the RTC to Cotter, Arkansas. It is a very quiet, peaceful trail along the White River with opportunity to spot wildlife and enjoy nature. The trail is well maintained, and ideal for hiking or mountain biking.

The park and swimming hole in Cotter make for a nice destination for a picnic, trout fishing and enjoying small town Arkansas.

Big Spring Nature Trail

Arkansas

4 Reviews