Welcome to the Greers Ferry Lake Southshore
& Little Red River
Self-Guided Adventure Tour
Overview | Southshore Tour | Northshore Tour | T.R.A.I.L.S.
Sample Start Time and Tour Duration: 9AM to 2PM, an Estimated 5 hours with a 40 minute stop for lunch and travel times included. (Note: This is a printer friendly version without the photos. You can view details of each of these attractions with photo if available by clicking on the attraction name or resources at the end of each attraction.)
Suggested Schedule: This can be an all day experience depending on how much time you spend at each location. Estimated time durations for each have been provided based on a typical visit to the area. It’s best to get in the Sugar Loaf Mountain hike early in the day if the weather is hot. Remember these tours are self guided. You choose the difficulty level low, moderate, or difficult where appropriate.
Review the Adventure Challenges and Overview here.
Safety Suggestions: Bring plenty of water and wear comfortable appropriate clothing based on the weather conditions and your own needs. Review and practice the H.A.P.P.Y. T.R.A.I.L.S. and safety suggestions before venturing out. Be sure to let someone know where you plan to be especially if your planning a solo excursion.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Trailhead Dr., Heber Springs
Estmated Time Duration: 25 min for the Hidden Pond Trail. 1 Hour for the Tonawanda Trail. For kids the hidden pond and tonawanda trails are the low to moderate level trails depending on their age and experience. The Summit Trail, approximately 2 to 2.5 hours with very steep slopes, and tight climbs is not recommended for inexperienced hikers. (Know your limits and practice safety.)
About: Sugarloaf’s name is believed to have been given by early settlers, as the mountain’s top layers resembled loaves of unrefined sugar of the time. There are two Sugarloaf Mountains. Sugar Loaf Mountain in Heber Springs is land accessible whereas Sugar Loaf Mountain Island in Greers Ferry Lake is only accessible by boat. Sugar Loaf in Heber Springs stands nearly 700 feet above the valley, located just east of Heber Springs off Hwy 110, past the college, and over looking the Little Red River. This landlocked location is a popular location with several trails that vary in difficulty from low, to moderate to difficult for hikers.
Additional Resource(s): Sugar Loaf Mountain Heritage Council. Great for accessing trail maps before you go, and helpful hints in planning. (Hours: Generally from 7AM to sunset.) Check the hours based on season at http://sugarloafheritagecouncil.org
You can read a great article here about a family of hikers experience. https://onlyinark.com/places-and-travel/hiking-sugar-loaf-amanda-ferris/
Travel Time to BVD: 10 to 15 minutes from SLM parking lot
Bridal Veil Falls Lookout
49 Bridal Veil Falls Rd, (off Hwy 25) Heber Springs
Estimated Time Duration: 15 minutes
About: Named for its resemblence of the veil of a bride, these white waters fall softly and soundly. With an elevation of 584 feet, this site is simply spectacular. Located off Hwy 25 in Heber Springs. Turn onto Bridal Veil Falls Road (near the Collision Center sign). Then right and follow around to the BVF parking lot. The view to the Falls lookout is not hard to access but can be slippery when it rains. Just enjoy the view this time around. Then when you have more experience you can venture off to one of the trails at a later date but be prepared as the climb back up can be strenuous and difficult. Don’t attempt the trails after a heavy rain as the slopes on the climb back up can be very slippery if not impassable.
Travel Time to WCG: 10 to 15 minutes
William C Garner Visitor Center a Dam History
700 Heber Springs Rd N., Heber Springs
(501)362-9067
Estimated Time Duration: 20 to 25 minutes
About: Get educated on all there is to know about Greers Ferry Lake. Located off Hwy 25 west of the dam and north of Heber Springs this site hold exhibits on local history, the building of the dam, a replica of the world record brown trout and much more. Be sure you ask them for a Collins Creek Trail map, and any others you might like. Great for reference and a good learning activity resource for a later date.
Travel Time to JFK DSO: 10 to 15 minutes
JFK Dam Site Overlook
Hwy 25, Heber Springs
Estimated Time Duration: 20 to 25 minutes
About: Just across the bridge from the vsitor center you’ll enjoy an incredible view of the Dam and the Little Red River. This is where it all started.
Travel Time to CCTC: 5 minutes
Suggestion(s): You might want to fit in lunch here depending on your start time today and how much time you spent at SLM and the other attractions. It’s estimated at this point your about 2 hours into the day. From here to our Local Eateries in downtown Heber it’s approx 15 minutes. Or, you could have a picnic lunch where you are or continue on to Collins Creek and have a picnic lunch before or after your hike.
Collins Creek Trail Cascade
Hatchery Rd, Heber Springs
Estimated Time Duration: 25 to 35 minutes
About: Down from Dam Site Overlook. Turn right on to Hatchery Rd. The trail is 1.2 miles out and back. Just a short hike in and you will see several waterfalls and the cascade. Pick up a trail map at the visitors center when your there or view below:
Resource(s): https://www.swl.usace.army.mil/Portals/50/docs/greersferrylake/Collins%20Creek_01-20-10.pdf
Suggestion: If you haven’t already head to downtown Heber Springs for lunch or a snack at one of the Local Eateries. Then head to the Train Museum or you could opt to visit the Art Museum at the Ellen Hobgood Art Gallery, 101 South 3rd Street, Heber Springs. (Hours: 12PM to 6PM) Or, enjoy both.
Travel Time to Downtown Heber and RJTM: 15 minutes
Ruland Junction Train Museum
401 S 12th St, Heber Springs, (Hours: 8AM to 4PM Tues thru Sat. There is an admission fee of $5 for Adults and $2.50 for Kids under 12, Groups receive a 20% discount.)
(501)362-6342
Estimated Time Duration: 20 to 30 minutes or more depending on how much you love trains.
About: The train museum is located only blocks away from where the original M&NA train depot once stood, and you’ll see toy trains almost 100 years old, plus great stories, history, and entertainment for the kids. They also have some available for purchase at a reasonable cost.
A Full Day of Adventure! If your up for more try the Northshore Adventure, or the Budget Day Trip Scenic Tour.
Are you planning to stay the weekend or week?
Campers, you can make reservations at recreation.gov.
Cottage Cozy, Resorts, and Lodging view here.
Local Eateries, view here.Thank you for your interest in our area.
General Resource(s) from the tourism association and about the area:
Visitgreersferrylake.com
Goseedoar.org
Greers Ferry Lake & Little Red River Association, March 2025.