Sugar Loaf Mountain In Arkansas Has The First Nationally Designated Trail
By Carol Ann Carson|Published August 29, 2019
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
Arkansas does have quite a few notable islands but today’s feature may be the most unique. Take a boat to the only mountain island in Arkansas to reach the state’s first nationally designated trail. Sugar Loaf Mountain has such a jaw-dropping view! Let’s cruise on over and hike to the top of this special trail.
You'll have to begin your journey by boat since this is indeed an island adventure.
The island sits about a mile and a half from the shore so renting a kayak is certainly doable. If you don't have a boat or the desire to paddle, a shuttle runs year-round from the Fairfield Bay Marina as well. The dock can be found on the southeast side of the island.
Address: 4350 Arkansas 330 Highway South, Fairfield Bay, AR 72088
The trail will turn you into a stair master by the time you're through.
Thankfully the loop is only 2.5-miles long (including the Terrance Trail and the Mule Trail that leads to the top). The stairs may seem endless but the well marked path is much more manageable than a bushwhack any day. Just take it one step at a time and you'll be at the top in no time!
The trail was built by the Corps of Engineers in 1971 after the Greers Ferry Dam filled the lake that we now know and love. The hike was the first National Recreation Trail in Arkansas. The National Trails System Act of 1968 promotes the enjoyment of historic, scenic, and recreation trails all throughout the U.S.
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The view is what makes this mountain a must visit.
Greers Ferry Lake is gorgeous from any angle but nothing beats the panoramic from atop Sugar Loaf. You'll be 1,001 feet above sea level at the peak of the mountain.
The trek to Sugar Loaf Mountain can be the finale to your Greers Ferry Lake getaway or the featured adventure for a quick day trip.
It doesn't matter how much time you allot to take the trail, it's never quite enough once you've reached the overlook. This unique mountain island will be a family favorite for sure!
Have you cruised to Sugar Loaf before? We’d love to hear about your adventure in the comments below and feel free to add your photos to our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
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