Since Mount Magazine/Signal Hill is in Mount Magazine State Park, on my list as the Best State Park in Arkansas, I decided to include both places in one blog post. Mount Magazine State Park is about 2 hours west/northwest of Little Rock, Arkansas, about 1 hour 15 minutes east of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and a little over 2 hours south of Bentonville, Arkansas – home of Walmart for you trivia buffs.
Is it Mount Magazine or Signal Hill?
At an elevation of 2,753 feet, Mount Magazine, situated in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, proudly claims the title of the state’s highest point. It ranks as #34 in State High Points and was my 25th State High Point. So, I am about 50% of the way to becoming a High Pointer! Note: Since the District of Columbia (I know it’s not a state) is included in my list, there are 51 High Points to summit.
Is it Mount Magazine or Signal Hill? After doing a bit of research – here is the answer that will hopefully clear the air. Mount Magazine is a flat-topped plateau with a sandstone cap rimmed by precipitous rock cliffs. There are two peaks situated atop the plateau, Signal Hill, which is the tallest point in Arkansas, and Mossback Ridge which reaches 2,700 feet. So, the highest point in Arkansas is Signal Hill on Mount Magazine.
About Mount Magazine State Park
Mount Magazine State Park, within the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests spans 2234 acres and includes over 14 miles of trails that connect to many of the trails in the Ozark Forest. Mount Magazine is called an “Island in the Sky” due to its isolated dominance over the surrounding landscape. Many trails originated as game trails followed by Native American hunters. After the Civil War settlers farmed
much of the plateau-like summit and many of the paths became wagon roads.
It is a destination for outdoor sports and extreme adventures with mountain biking, horseback riding, backpacking, rock climbing, and ATV riding. Mount Magazine is the state park system’s most dramatic location for technical rock climbing, and it’s one of only two parks to offer hang-gliding launch areas. In addition to camping and cabins, The Lodge at Mount Magazine features 60 guest rooms, the Skycrest Restaurant, a conference center, a business center, a heated indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a game room. There is also no entrance or parking fee, making it accessible for all.
Let the exploring begin!
As you rise from the valley below on Arkansas 309 and enter Mount Magazine State Park, your first stop needs to be the Petit Jean Valley Overlook. The views from here are incredible and will whet your appetite for what is in store as you continue up and into the park. The entrance sign is across the street from The Overlook – a good place for a photo.
Pictures: Views from Petit Jean Valley Overlook | Blue Mountain Lake in the distance
My next stop, which should be no surprise, was the visitor center, which features interactive exhibits, a meeting room (available for rent), a wildlife viewing area, a wildflower and butterfly garden, vending, a gift shop, and the park offices. I chatted with a ranger and asked what the must-see sights were and what wildlife I should be aware of. I was happy to hear there weren’t any recent bear sightings, but if there were, it would be in Bear Hollow. Isn’t that ironic? I’d recommend getting a map here as the cell service is spotty on the mountain.
Pictures: Visitor Center | Park Map
First Recommendation: A Driving Tour
It was recommended that I start with a drive on the Cameron Bluff Overlook Drive. The drive is one-way and there are 7 parking areas along the way that offer stunning views of the Arkansas River, the Ozark Plateau, and the towns below.
Pictures: Views from the first parking area
Pictures: Mountain Top Selfie | View from the first parking area
From the first parking lot, it is a hop, skip, and jump to the second parking area, where the Cameron Bluff Amphitheater is located. The Amphitheater had gone into a bad state of repair in the 1970s as visitors stopped coming to Mount Magazine after a fire destroyed the lodge in 1971. However, after an extensive renovation project, the historic amphitheater has re-opened for concerts, weddings, private events or just enjoying the magnificent views.
Pictures: The Amphitheater | View from the Amphitheater
Shortly after The Amphitheater, there is another parking area that offers similar views, then as you round the bluff, there is a short dirt road and parking lot. I would definitely recommend parking here and walking out to the cliffs to watch the hawks above and for a panoramic view. I would caution, as with all the places I hiked in the park, that no fences or safety railings are along the cliffs.
Pictures: View looking down from the cliff | Hawk sighting
The Lodge and Cabins
A visit to Mountain Magazine isn’t complete without a visit to The Lodge. From the Hearth Lobby and the Terrace, you are treated to stunning views of the Petit Jean River Valley. The modern, yet rustic lodge offers 60 guest rooms and has The Skycrest Restaurant, where you can enjoy their Southern cuisine. There is also a cool 3-dimensional model of the area in the lobby. The park also has 13 mountain cabins stretching along the bluff and ranging from 873 square feet to 1,669 square feet. I could see coming back and staying at The Lodge or if I came with a group, renting out some of the cabins.
Pictures: The Lodge | Some of the Cabins
Pictures: The Entrance | The Hearth Lobby
Pictures: The Terrace | View of the Petit Jean River Valley from the terrace
Pictures: The 3-dimensional model of the area
What about the Summit?
There are a couple of trails to Signal Hill and I decided to take the most common, the Signal Hill Trail. To reach the trailhead, you can either park at The Lodge and walk down Lodge Drive, about 2/10 of a mile from the front door. Or you can park near the Hang Glider launch, where I did, and hike 1/10 of a mile up the bike path and across Lodge Drive to the trailhead. The Signal Hill Trail is a 1.4 mile loop with just 259 feet in elevation change. It was a short hike that took me 40 minutes, even with taking time for pictures and to chat with a couple on the summit. As you hike around the park, you’ll also see that there are several Bulletin Boards with detailed information about the trails and area.
The day could not have been nicer and I ended up putting on shorts, which I am so happy I did. It was an easy trail to follow, even with it being covered in leaves, as it was well-worn with all the traffic and people wanting to visit the High Point. I was also surprised at how few people were there, considering the beautiful weather and it being a Sunday.
Pictures: Hang Glider Launch Area | View from the Hang Glider Launch
Pictures: Signal Hill Trail Bulletin Board | Signal Hill Trailhead | Signal Hill Trail looking towards Lodge Dr.
As I have learned with many summits, there isn’t a view from this summit. The summit has a sign, a Highpointers Club mailbox with a Summit Register, and a survey marker. I did meet a nice couple and they inquired why taking a picture of the survey marker. So, chatty Cathy here gave them the rundown on the Highpointers club, and what I was doing. I told them about this blog and also about visiting the Best State Park in each State.
Pictures: Summit Sign | Survey Marker
Pictures: Me on the Summit | Highpointers Club Mailbox
Views and More Views
With summit #25 under my belt, I headed back to the Visitor Center and the North Rim Trailhead. The ranger recommended this trail as well and suggested just going out about a mile to Dill Point and then back. It ended up being a 1.7-mile round-trip hike that I did in about 45 minutes.
There are modest elevation changes on the trail and you cross two different creeks. I was surprised at the lack of trail blazes, but will say it was easy to follow the trail. School Creek is the first creek you cross, about 2/10 miles into the hike. The creek was pretty dry and easy to navigate. The second creek, Dill Creek, about 1/2 miles into the hike, was even drier than School Creek.
Just before Dill Point, there is a short trail to another point. Since it didn’t have a name (at least I didn’t find a name), I decided to call it Hollywood Point. (One of my nicknames is Hollywood 😎) Hiking to Dill Point is definitely worth it and if you are as lucky as I was, there will be few people on the trail or at the point. I guess that is one of the benefits of hiking in the fall and hiking some distance. Other benefits include: the great and unobstructed views without leaves on the trees, there were no bugs, and most importantly, there were no cobwebs across the trails. I hate running into cobwebs!
Pictures: School Creek | Dill Creek
Saving the Best for Last
For my last hike, I parked at the Benefield Picnic area, which is very close to the Petit Jean Valley Overlook, my first stop. From here, you can hike the Benefield West Loop, the Benefield East Loop, and Bear Hollow Trail. I remember the Ranger telling me that if I was going to see a bear, it was going to be here, so I took along my bear spray.
Pictures: Benefield Picnic Area | Trailheads at the parking lot
This was a relatively short hike (less than a mile), and so worth it. From the parking lot, you take the trail that leads to the Benefield Trails and the Bear Hollow Trail. Soon the trail splits and I went in the direction of the Benefield West Loop. It splits again and I then took the Bear Hollow Trail until that splits, then took Bear Hollow to the right. This brings you to Inspiration Point, and then Sunrise Rock, both of which offer incredible views. Near Inspiration Point, I did run into a group of younger people, but they were soon on their way down the Bear Hollow Trail and I had the place to myself. I took a moment, and just sat for a bit to take in the beauty around me and get some inspiration. Sunrise Rock was a short distance from Inspiration Point, where I took on last view of the scenic valley below. As you continue around the loop, you’ll come to another intersection, you can continue to the left and onto Benefield East Loop, but this will take you down to the Petit Jean Valley Overlook or you can go to the right and back up the hill to the parking lot, which I did.
Pictures: The start of the trails | First Guide Sign – I took the West Loop | Second Guide Sign – I took Bear Hollow Trail
Pictures: Looking down from Inspiration Point | View from Inspiration Point
Pictures: Sunrise Rock | Last Guide Sign on the Loop where the East Loop splits
Final Comments about the Park
Mount Magazine State Park does not allow hunting and all animals are protected. This was especially comforting as it was deer hunting season and I heard my share of gunshots in the distance. Also, on my way to the park, I saw a couple of guys on ATVs, wearing orange vests and with guns strapped to their backs. And at one restaurant and bar, I saw a dead deer in the back of a pickup truck. It’s important to know about hunting seasons and dress in bright colors if you are in an area that allows hunting.
As for wildlife in the park, I saw several hawks and a ton of squirrels. I guess the squirrels got the memo that it was a safe place and they wouldn’t end up as a trophy at the Arkansas Big Squirrel Challenge – an annual event where hunters try to bag the biggest squirrel in several categories, like Adult Fox Squirrels. Nor would they end up as the key ingredient at The World Championship Squirrel Cook-Off in Springdale. By the way, if you aren’t busy on September 7th, 2024, and you want to try some squirrel, you might want to check out the cook-off! Some of last years entries included Confit of Squirrel and Acorn Squash Ravioli with Garlic Cream Sauce, Squirrel “Chicken and Waffles”, Squirrel Khao Soi (Thai Coconut Soup with Squirrel). Bet you didn’t think squirrel could be so gourmet!
On that fun culinary note – my journey continues south to Louisiana. Maybe I’ll find a Gator Cook-Off?
Date of Visit: 12 November 2023