Expedition Series: Hobbs State Park & Beaver Lake

In this series, we will take a deeper dive into some of Northwest Arkansas's favorite parks and nature areas. These guides will cover everything from our favorite routes and trails, to different trail ratings, and other outdoor recreation opportunities at these locations. Hobbs State Park and Beaver Lake  in Rogers, Arkansas, will be the focus of today's guide. 

Hobbs State Park/Beaver Lake

Hobbs State Park, located in Rogers, Arkansas, is the largest state park with over 12,000 acres of conserved land that stretches into three different counties. Hobbs prides itself on its outdoor recreation and has over 54 miles of trails winding through the Ozarks, making for the perfect spot for anyone looking to hike, mountain bike, or even go horseback riding. The park also shares 22 miles of shoreline along Beaver Lake, providing the opportunity for water sports and activities. The park has something for everyone and with this guide, you will be able to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of Northwest Arkansas. 

Top left image courtesy of Arkansas State Parks

Biking Trails & Ratings

Hobbs State Park, while lesser known in the biking scene compared to Coler, Centennial Park, or Kessler Mountain Regional Park, still has a great trail system that is worth checking out for bikers of all skill levels. The main attraction at Hobbs is the recently built Monument Trail System  which features two downhill-only trails, several trails with good flow lines, and even an 8-mile-long trail. Remember to ALWAYS ride within your skill level and remember trails can have obstacles that exceed their difficulty rating. 

Easy/Beginner Trails: For beginners or riders looking for an excellent warm-up trail, we recommend the Bashore Ridge  and Karst Loop Trail.  The Bashore Ridge Trail is a nice and easy loop that doesn't have a ton of elevation change along the route and has some views of Beaver Lake and an arm of the White River. Bashore Ridge is about a 3-mile long ride and takes about 30 minutes to complete on average. Parking for the trailhead is at the Piney Trailhead off Piney Road in the Northwestern part of the park. The other excellent beginner trail, Karst Loop, is an 8-mile-long trail that is primarily easygoing but has sections rated more difficult. The trail has many well-designed climbs that lead into rolling hills as you skirt a ridgeline. Then the trail will take you near the shores of the lake where you will navigate through limestone rock bluffs. The views and changing scenery on this trail make it a favorite for mountain bikers in Northwest Arkansas. 

Difficult/Advanced: Our favorite difficult/advanced-rated trails are both downhill lines and includes the return trail that is part of the Monument Trail System. The first trail is called Sawtooth; this 1.2-mile-long trail is one-way downhill and will send you over jumps, through rock gardens, and around both bermed and flat corners. After that ride the 1-mile-long Return Trail back to the top where you can either ride Sawtooth again or head to the Timberjack Trail.  Timberjack is also a little over a mile long. It is only downhill, and riders can expect to wind through the forest and into lots of jumps. To get to these trails you will want to park at the Visitor Center and hop on the easy-rated Tunnel Connector Trail. 

Very Difficult/Seasoned Riders: The most technical trail in the park is the War Eagle Valley Loop  which is often rated both difficult and very difficult depending on the rating site. The trail is about 4 miles long and riders should expect it to take around an hour to complete. The trail is well-marked and receives far less traffic than other trails in the area. It is important to note that the trail is a multi-use trail and so there could be hikers and horseback riders present.

Photos 1 and 5 courtesy of Oz Trails

Hiking & Horseback Trails

If you are looking to enjoy the trails in other ways, there are many foot traffic only and multi-use trails available at Hobbs State Park. These hiking trails are great year-round, provide incredible views, and immerse you in nature.

Pigeon Roost Trail: If you read our Fall Color Viewing Guide  then you know that Pigeon Roost  is up there as one of our favorite hiking trails in Northwest Arkansas. The short loop at Pigeon Roost is around 4 miles long and will take about an hour and a half to complete making it perfect for a day trip. If you want to camp out, the longer 8-mile loop is very popular amongst backpackers and there are several primitive campsites that require reservations. Both loops will take you through forest-covered paths with limestone bluffs and views of Beaver Lake. 

Shaddox Hollow Nature Trail: Shaddox Hollow  makes this list because it is a short 1.4-mile-long loop that is great for families or walking dogs. Shaddox Hollow winds along a creek bed and through the hardwood trees with native Ozark vegetation lining the forest floor. Shaddox Hollow is a popular trail amongst hikers, bird watchers, and trail runners so we recommend heading out in the early morning to avoid crowds. 

Dutton Hollow Loop: The Dutton Hollow loop  is a 4-mile-long trail that is linked to the greater Hidden Diversity Trail system. The Hidden Diversity Trail system is 24 miles of trails within Hobbs State Park that is designed for horseback riders, mountain bikers, and hikers. The Dutton Hollow loop is relatively flat and not steep as it is okay for equestrians and will take on average a hiker around an hour and a half to complete. You will want to park at the Piney Road trailhead to get to the trail. 

 

Other Activities

The beauty of Hobbs State Park is that you are not limited to trails and there are so many other activities that can get you outdoors. 

Get Out On The Water: While Hobbs State Park does not have many boat ramps it does share over 20 miles of shoreline with Beaver Lake which has dozens of public access points for larger motorized boats. During the summer months, Beaver Lake will fill with boats, people on jet skis, kayaks, and everything in between. However, if you are on a kayak, you can access Beaver Lake from almost anywhere in Hobbs State Park for a quieter experience.  Getting on the water is a great way to experience and see nature in a different light and participate in outdoor recreation.  Our Kayaking Guide  has some great options for scenic floats and lake access for beginners. 

Wildlife & Birdlife: Hobbs is a critical habitat for a lot of Arkansas native species, such as wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, gray squirrels, eagles, woodpeckers, and so many more species. Hobbs has some fantastic opportunities to see wildlife on its trails and shorelines. The short half-mile Sinking Stream Trail is a popular birding and nature-viewing trail where I have seen crawfish, turtles, eagles, and deer. Another prominent form of outdoor recreation related to wildlife at Hobbs is hunting and fishing. Beaver Lake is known for its miles of shoreline fishing but also for fishing from boats and holds several state records for the largest fish species caught. The state park is also part of a Wildlife Management Area (WMA), making Hobbs the only state park in Arkansas that allows hunting. This also means that Hobbs CLOSES for five days in November and December and two days in January each year. Those days coincide with hunting seasons which can change from year to year. For an updated closure list go here.

More Fun: Hobbs State park has so many other outdoor recreation opportunities that you are sure to find something for you and your family to enjoy. Here are some more fun activities that deserve mention:

• Visit War Eagle Cavern  and Mill. Both of these locations cater more towards tourists but do have charm and history behind them and are fun for families to enjoy. 
• Check out the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center at Hobbs is one of the best state park visitor centers I have been to. The educational and interactive displays allow you to learn about the park and its rich history. The visitor center also has frequent educational activities for families and kids.
• The state park also holds a lot of activities and hosts adventures that range from snorkeling to bird-watching tours, and astronomy nights where you can view the night stars. A complete list of activities can be found here!