The Happiness Function

Hiking the Whitaker Point Trail to the famous Hawksbill Crag is one of the most iconic hikes in the Ozark National Forest.

If you’ve seen photos of this majestic crag and it’s on your Arkansas hiking bucket list, we’re sharing all the details. We have hiked this trail multiple times — you’re going to love it.

Hiking the Whitaker Point Trail

Hiking is one of the most popular activities in this part of the Ozark National Forest. The national forest contains many recreational opportunities, including hiking trails, trout streams, picnicking areas, and camping sites. The area is incredibly scenic and within close proximity of the Ponca Wilderness and Buffalo National River.

The Whitaker Point Trail is a beautiful trail located south of Ponca, near Jasper, Arkansas. This area is full of spectacular views and lots of recreational adventures.

Are you hiking near Buffalo National River and Whitaker Point? You will also love these other hikes close by:

Centerpoint to Big Bluff (Goat Trail)

Lost Valley Trail in Buffalo National River

Glory Hole Falls (Sinkhole Waterfall)

Trail Details

• Distance: 2.9 miles round trip
• Elevation Gain: 413 feet
• Route Type: Out and back
• Difficulty: Moderate. The route is easy to walk along, but there are steep cliff edges, so exercise caution and be careful with pets and small children.
• Are Dogs Allowed? Yes, dogs are allowed on the trail.
• The trail is well-marked and well maintained. It is easy to follow.

Other Things To Consider While Hiking Here

This is one of the most popular hikes in Arkansas so weekends are busy. If you’re planning on getting an epic solo picture, don’t go on the weekend.

Weekdays in the morning are more quiet. If you enjoy solitude in nature, we recommend visiting during the middle of the week. Start your hike early and try to catch the sunrise.

There is a hidden waterfall seasonally along the way. You’ll hear the water if the falls are running. There is a little bit of a scramble up and down a rock wall to see the waterfall up close.

The closest town near the trail is Ponca, where you will be able to get supplies before hiking. Make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks to keep you going on your way along the trail.

There are no restrooms along this trail or the gravel road.

There is a small parking lot. Once that fills up, park off the side of the road.

How Long Is the Hike to Hawksbill Crag?

It takes about two hours to hike the trail round trip, have a snack, take photos of the crag, check out the waterfall, and get back at the car.

It is a great day hike and short enough to pair with nearby hikes, such as the Lost Valley Trail or Glory Hole Falls.

Where Is the Trail Located?

Below is a Google map of where the Whitaker Point Trailhead and Hawksbill Crag are located in relation to Ponca and Jasper, Arkansas. The trail is located in the Ozark National Forest, roughly 30 minutes south of Ponca, Arkansas.

How Do You Get to the Trailhead?

There is no cell phone reception in the area, so be sure to download directions for offline use before driving to the Whitaker Point trailhead if you are not familiar with the area.

Whenever we go into the Buffalo National River area, we always bring our National Geographic Topo Map #232, Buffalo National River West, to navigate.

There is a trail sign before the bridge crossing the Buffalo River, where you turn off AR 21 onto County Road (CR 5) — CR 5 is a gravel road. You will appreciate having a high-clearance vehicle to drive along CR 5. There are lots of bumps, and it is steep in areas. Follow CR 5 until you reach the trailhead. There is a sign with a small parking area.

If the parking area is full, parking is allowed along the sides of the dirt road as long as it is not blocking local traffic.

Best Time to Hike the Whitaker Point Trail

Whitaker Point is a fantastic trail to hike year-round, honestly.

Our favorite time of the year to hike is in the fall or early winter to catch the leaves changing. The fall crowds tend to die down after Thanksgiving providing hikers with more solitude on the local trails.

What To Bring Hiking

We recommend wearing comfortable hiking shoes, wool socks, sweat-wicking hiking clothes, a hat, sunglasses, water, snacks, and a daypack.

Wear layers to regulate your temperature. Layers keep you warm or cool, depending on the time of year.

Get a free packing list and gear guide from us with all of our favorite camping and hiking gear!

Where To Camp Nearby

The best places to camp in the immediate area are:

• Buffalo Outdoor Center — they also have cabins
• Steel Creek Campground — it is tent camping only

Here are more places to camp in the Upper District of Buffalo National River.

Watch Our YouTube

I made a mini video so you could see the trail conditions and plan your adventure.

Final Thoughts

Hiking the Whitaker Point Trail is one of our absolute favorite hikes in Arkansas. Every time we see the crag, we are awed and inspired to take a hundred photos. We hope that you enjoy this trail as much as we do.

If you have more time to explore the area, you might enjoy checking out these other fantastic hikes nearby.

We’ve listed our favorites below:

• Lost Valley Trail
• Centerpoint to Big Bluff (Goat Trail)
• Hemmed in Hollow Trail
• Glory Hole Trail
• Balanced Rock Falls
• Hideout Hollow Trail

Check back soon for new articles about exploring the Ozark National Forest, Northwest Arkansas, and the Upper Buffalo.

Ashlee + Pablo

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