21 State Parks in 2021 Challenge – Part 2
Which Arkansas State Park has the highest elevation point in the state, has a hang glider launching point, and allows ATVs to ride on some trails? If you guessed Mount Magazine you are correct! That makes Mount Magazine our #2 park in the 21 State Parks in 2021 Challenge.
#2 Mount Magazine
Located in Paris, AR, Mount Magazine is Arkansas’ highest point at 2,753 feet. People began settling on Mount Magazine after the Civil War. Old wagon roads and stone fences can still be seen in some areas. The original lodge burned in 1971, but in 1983 Mount Magazine State Park was authorized to be established.
The Lodge at Mount Magazine
The Lodge has 60 guest rooms that look over the valley below. On one of our stays here we were able to sit on our balcony and watch hang gliders taking off from the nearby launch site. The Lodge has an indoor swimming pool, gift shop, and the Skycrest Restaurant.
Hiking Trails
Mount Magazine offers nine hiking trails. Today we enjoyed the Signal Hill trail. It is a 1.5-mile trail that will take you to the highest point in Arkansas. You can park near the Lodge and it is just a short walk down the road to the trailhead. Don’t forget to open the mailbox and sign the registry at the top.
ATV Trails
The main reason we chose this park to visit today was it is one of only two Arkansas State Parks that have trails that allow ATV riders. We like to ride our side by side as much as we can, so this was a plus for us. We were able to park at the Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail lot and the multi-use trail head was there. Please note that ATVs are only allowed in designated areas of the park.
There are so many different ATV trails to explore you will definitely need the Avenza Maps App to help you find your way around and back to your vehicle. On today’s ride we crossed a few creeks with small waterfalls. Morgan enjoyed getting her feet wet, even if it was a little cold.
Other Activities at Mount Magazine
Other activities to do here include horseback riding, mountain bike riding, bird watching, butterfly watching, and rock climbing. Each year the park hosts multiple species of beautiful butterflies. Monarchs can best be viewed in September when they are on their migration route to Mexico City each year.
Final Thoughts
We highly suggest taking a trip to Mount Magazine State Park. If you go for the day or spend a few nights, it will be worth your while. Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, ATV riding, swimming, or just sitting back and relaxing there is something for the whole family to enjoy.
Where should we go for Park #3 in the 21 Arkansas State parks in 2021 Challenge? Remember… Life’s Short… Take the Trip!
