Have you Ever Been to Arkansas' Sugar Loaf Mountain Island?

I don’t know about you, but with Spring right around the corner, most folks are itching to head outdoors for some fresh air and sunshine.

Sugar Loaf Mountain Island

The state of Arkansas is one of my favorite places to travel and if you love to hike like me Sugar Loaf Mountain Island near Heber Springs is one of the best in the state.

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It is really an island all to itself surrounded by the natural beauty of Greers Ferry Lake in the foothills of the Ozarks and is the only island hiking trail in the state. However, the only way to get there is by boat, canoe, kayak, or if you prefer you can take a shuttle from Fairfield Bay Marina for the short trek to the island.

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Once you arrive at Sugar Loaf Mountain you can climb the wooden stairs all the way to the top for some breathtaking views of the surrounding lake some 500 feet below.

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The mountain island is 1,000 feet tall and offers hikers two trail options, a short trail (1.6 miles) or a longer trail (2.5 miles). Depending on what time of year you go be prepared to see an array of natural flora that resides around the bluffs and sandstone which dates all the way back some 300 million years ago.

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Wildlife is also abundant in the area too, especially deer as they make this their refuge.

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How Sugar Loaf Mountain Got its Name

Settlers who inhabited the island many years ago thought the top of the mountain resembled loaves of unrefined sugar. The Osage Tribe that used to live there called it "Tonawanda." Sugar Loaf Mountain Island is designated one of the nation’s first National Scenic Trails according to Discover Arkansas.

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So, there you go. Arkansas has many unique places you can explore and Sugar Loaf Mountain certainly meets the criteria for an awesome adventure outdoors. It’s worth the drive to get there and worth the hike to get to the top of the mountain.

Grab your hiking boots and let’s do this!

Just for the record, there are cabins in the area if you decide to stay for a while. More information here. Depending on which way you travel Sugar Loaf Mountain is approximately 2 and a half hours from Texarkana. See Google Map.

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