Inspired by the Butterfield Overland Stage Trail of the 1800s, the Butterfield Hiking Trail (BHT) in Arkansas is a backpacker’s dream. Spend the night under the stars or challenge yourself with an all-day trek along this multi-faceted trail. Let’s pack the essentials; lace up our hiking boots, and tour this rewarding loop trail in the Natural State.

It's no secret that Devil's Den State Park is one of the best parks in Arkansas.
AllTrails/Michael Harvey
The state park has 11 main trails which means you may overlook a few during your travels. One that requires a bit of preplanning but is completely worth the effort is the Butterfield Hiking Trail (BHT).
The trail is a challenging, but enchanting walk in the woods.
AllTrails/Gina Lucas
The trail is rated hard for its length and does get rather rocky in parts. Although this may be a trail you skip with the kids, the BHT offers plenty of eye-catching rewards.
The BHT is nearly 15 miles long but doesn't have to be done in a day.
AllTrails/Gina Lucas
Though it is possible to accomplish the trail in a full-day's hike, most adventurers choose to backpack along the trail instead. A (free) permit is required to hike the trail to help ensure all hikers' safety.

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Although the trail begins and ends at Devil's Den, most of the hike is within the Ozark National Forest.
AllTrails/Daniel Chapman
Which means waterfall country! The falls found along here are simply stunning after a heavy rain. They may not be as tall as some of the forest's more famed falls but the cascades along the BHT are all photogenic.
Speaking of water features, this trail also rewards its hikers with a refreshing swim!
AllTrails/Kelly Conner
About halfway through the hike you'll come to Blackburn Creek, which is an excellent place for a lunch break or swim. The trail also travels past Lee Creek, another popular spot for dips.
Backpacking this trail will aid you in reconnecting with nature and unplugging.
AllTrails/Gina Lucas
Backpacking instantly cuts your eight-hour hike into a more manageable four hours. Wherever you choose to camp for the night will be primitive. All of your supplies must be pack-in/pack-out and, as always, leave no trace!
No matter how long you spend on this trail, the BHT will reward your efforts.
AllTrails/Calli Cox

Have you taken on the Butterfield Hiking Trail before? Did you backpack or take it on all at once? Share your hiking experience with us in the comments below! We’d love to see your photos in 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.

If you need a smaller adventure than the BHT then walk behind this waterfall for a refreshing stroll.

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Butterfield Hiking Trail

Sarah M. | July 08, 2022

What are some of the best hiking trails in Arkansas?

The Butterfield Hiking Trail is by no means the only amazing hike in Arkansas. All across the Natural State, adventures await on the trails! In terms of all-around hiking trails in Arkansas, we put together this list of 12 hikes that are designed to be taken one at a time, each month, for an entire year. Taking into consideration seasonal conditions -- like the best chances to see frozen waterfalls in Arkansas, beautiful wildflowers in Arkansas, or the best fall foliage in Arkansas -- these hikes represent the best the Natural State has to offer. We're particularly fond of the waterfall trails on this list, as the Hemmed-In Hollow Falls Trail and Kings River Falls Trail both offer delightfully refreshing waterfall swimming pools for intrepid explorers. The Kings River Falls Trail, in particular, is one of our favorite hikes in Arkansas. The easy 1.2-mile trail will lead you to one of the best swimming holes in the state. Chill under the 10-foot falls to congratulate yourself for sticking to your resolution. Cannonball!

Are there many waterfall hikes in Arkansas?

Absolutely there are! The Natural State is home to 200+ beautiful waterfalls, which makes for some pretty spectacular waterfall chasing. If you're as helpless a waterfall chaser as we are, you'll definitely want to tackle this bucket list of best waterfall hikes in Arkansas. In addition to the Hemmed-In Falls Trail we just touched upon, the trail to Glory Hole is a must. Reaching this epic waterfall in Arkansas is actually a fairly easy, downhill 1.8-mile hike -- but take note: the return trip is all uphill! It's worth the effort and sore quads, however, as Glory Hole Falls is one of the more unique waterfalls in Arkansas - and that's because it's one of the few to have water flowing through the bluff instead of over it.

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Visitor Center, 120812 W Devils Den Rd, Winslow, AR 72959, USA