Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Cotter, Arkansas

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Glade Top Southwest (Sky Line Drive) FSR 149

This trail is the southwest branch of the Glade Top National Forest Scenic Byway, also known as Sky Line Drive FSR 149 within the USDA Forestry Service. It is a scenic 5.8 miles long gravel…
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Total Miles
5.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Old River Road

Old River Road is an enjoyable scenic drive through the Buffalo National River wildlife management area. It features high mountain views, many creek crossings in the wet season, historic homesteads, campgrounds, and Buffalo River access…
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Total Miles
15.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Devreaux Ridge Road

A point-to-point trail providing access to ample camping, OHV, and hunting opportunities inside Mark Twain National Forest. Primarily gravel road with multiple optional connections to primitive trails throughout. Rolling and turning hills with one creek…
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Total Miles
7.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa

Carwash Falls

One of the most popular places to visit is the Ozark National Forest. This route runs north and south along the Big Piney Creek and offers abundant scenery and numerous places to camp along the…
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Total Miles
13.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Wi

Little Piney Creek - Union School

This is a fun, dirt and gravel road with 3 miles of single-vehicle trail. There are several water crossings typically 12" deep, and some shallow mud holes, but it can be much deeper and more…
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Total Miles
9.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Pilot Knob Mountain

This will take you to the top of Pilot Knob Mountain. It is a short road, but the beautiful view that is worth a detour if you haven't been. Elevation is 2080'. The first 200'…
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Total Miles
0.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Rail Hollow

Rail Hollow starts out from Stallion Bluff Road/FSR2185 and descends along The Piney Creek Wilderness on 39-1M/FSR1018. It is a well-maintained gravel road freshly graded and wide enough for two vehicles to pass. Once passing…
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Total Miles
4.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Smith Branch Trail

Smith Branch Trail starts along the Rail Hollow Trail at FSR1019. It is a narrower single-lane road with some areas to pass another vehicle. It has been recently graded but is slightly rougher than Rail…
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Total Miles
5.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Piney Ridge

Piney Ridge starts out from Stallion Bluff Road at Forest Road 178. It is a wide two-lane gravel road in great condition with fresh gravel in some areas. To the East borders Piney Creek Wilderness…
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Total Miles
4.8
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Prison Fence Trail

An easy scenic trail with a variety of terrain types including gravel, dirt, mud holes, rock ledges and shallow water crossings. The elevation varies from around 1100' to just over 2400' as it follows along…
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Total Miles
16.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Mark Twain NF Trail

An easy scenic trail meandering through the forest trails and back roads of Mark Twain National Forest. Roads are a mix of dirt/gravel forestry and county roads. There are several hiking, biking, and NF recreation…
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Total Miles
47.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Mary Cole Ridge

Mary Cole Ridge 1011 is a scenic ridge road in Mark Twain National Forest with distant overlooks through the hardwoods seen in the fall and wintertime. This meandering ridgeline road has many campsite pull-offs and…
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Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Scroggins Ridge to Rock Creek

Scroggins Ridge 1171 is a gravel forest road in Mark Twain National Forest that descends south from highway 76 down to Rock Creek. There are 6 creek crossings that can be challenging after heavy rains.…
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Total Miles
6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Mark Twain National Forest Scenic Drive

This is a Mark Twain National Forest Scenic Byway Drive between Highway 112 and 86 in South West Missouri near Roaring River State Park and Eagle Rock, Missouri. Following NF Road 197 or FR 2275,…
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Total Miles
6.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp

Morgan Mountain Road

Morgan Mountain Trail runs through the Ozark National Forest near Cass, Arkansas. The road is accessible at several points along the route. This trail used to extend further, however, there was a landslide that caused…
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Total Miles
7.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Lake Sylvia to Winona Lake and HWY9

This trail starts at Lake Sylvia State Park where camping, swimming and water/electric sites are available if needed. Its a great place to explore. After leaving Lake Sylvia this route takes you to LAKE WINONA…
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Total Miles
17.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi

Scenic Riverways

The Scenic Riverways drive is a combination of gravel county roads and forest service roads within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. It's an easy-going drive starting out of Eminence and heading North/East along the Jacks…
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Total Miles
10.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Fort Mountain to Flatside Pinnacle

South Fourche Campground is a convenient roadside picnic area and campground located on Scenic Highway 7 Byway. This campground also provides floating access to the South Fourche River. Free dispersed camping. This route takes you…
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Total Miles
8.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Winona Scenic Drive

The Winona Auto Tour Scenic Drive is a 26-mile trail located in the Ouachita National Forest. The route travels along with Forest Road #132 between AR Highway 7 north of Jessieville and AR Highway 9…
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Total Miles
15.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

South Forche to Forked Mountain

This route leaves South Forche Campground and leads to Forked Mountain. The campground is free. The campground has set up campsites with vault toilets. There is a water outlet at the campground. Leaving the campground…
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Total Miles
6.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Muse Mountain Road

Muse Mountain is about 9 miles long in the National Forest. This trail is great to start your off-roading adventure into the Ouachita National Forest. Muse Mountain offers water crossings, camping, mud, and some light…
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Total Miles
7.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Talley Mountain

This Trail is a gravel road that can be messy when wet. There can be water crossings along this trail depending on precipitation. Not far up this trail as you travel west, you will see…
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Total Miles
4.8
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Pond Camp Special

After starting down this gravel road trail, you will quickly find a beautiful pond. This pond has a dam you can fish from and a dirt launch for small boats. There is also a small…
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Total Miles
5.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Overgrowth Spur

The Overgrowth Spur runs North to South through Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. This trail offers dispersed campsites if chosen with creativity. There are plenty of pull-off locations in case of traffic. Fallen trees…
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Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Walnut Grove

This gravel road has beautiful views and some nice curves. Watch for wildlife as you travel through the tall trees. There are steep drop-offs on the side of the road where you will hear and…
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Total Miles
6.8
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Cave Spoon

The Cave Spoon runs North to South through Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. This trail offers dispersed campsites if chosen with creativity. There are plenty of pull-off locations in case of traffic. Fallen trees…
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Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Gooseneck Trail

The Gooseneck Trail runs East to West through Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. This trail offers 2 designated primitive campsites with a fire ring. One is located at the intersection of FR4799, and the…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Devils Canyon Trail

Devils Canyon trail is short, but worth the drive. The trail is out-and-back with plenty of primitive campsites if you are looking for a beautiful place to stay. The 1.14 mile trail ends with a…
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Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi