An Overnight Camping Trip Along Redding Loop Is Perfect For A Chilly Weekend In Arkansas
By Carol Ann Carson|Published November 26, 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.
Although we love the rain forest vibes of a springtime hike in Arkansas, the Redding/Spy Rock Loop is best during the colder months. The camping season is far from over here in the Natural State and this hike can certainly prove it! Let’s learn about some of the benefits of tackling this trail during a chilly weekend.
This gorgeous slice of paradise is located in the heart of the Ozark National Forest.
The Redding/Spy Rock Loop is a few spurs taken back-to-back for a stunning trip around Morgan Mountain. The trail is accurately rated as moderate but effort is well worth it. The trek is difficult during the warmer months but is much easier during the fall and winter.
The first spur of the trail begins at the Redding Recreation Area on the Mulberry River. This rec area is extremely popular during the summer for floaters but is rather underrated during the chilly season. Camping is $15/day with 27 units to choose from.
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...or have a full fledged backpacking adventure along the trail.
One of the benefits of taking this trail between October-February is the lack of bugs. The ticks and chiggers along this hike are downright awful in the summer but are quite sparse during the chill. The fall colors are gorgeous but there's even more reason to visit in winter.
Winter has yet another asset besides the lack of pests.
This trail has two waterfalls but they're nearly impossible to see during the greener months. Any leaf-off season will reveal these gorgeous cascades without any visual hindrance.
The leaf-off seasons also give you more glimpses into the panoramic beauty you're hiking through!
The view from Spy Rock is nearly endless but the cooler months will also give you more chances to peek through to see the vista views. To access a very useful GPS map and additional information, we recommend heading to AllTrails before leaving for this stunning trail.
Have you hiked the Redding/Spy Rock Loop before? Do you prefer to backpack or take it all in one day? Share your experience with us in the comments below! We’d love to see your photos along the trail 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.
Be sure to take this scenic drive either before or after your Redding Rec adventure!
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