Buckskin Nature Trail

Hikers looking for a short trail that they can enjoy thoroughly all day will enjoy the Buckskin Nature Trail. This trail is a 0.5-mile interpretive trail located in Denby Point Recreation Area. A straight walk through with a little bit of stopping to enjoy the scenery will take approximately 40 minutes to complete. 

However, if you are interested in a more thorough excursion, you can avail of one of the guidebooks that will walk you through the trail markers which identify unique and common features of the area. Buckskin Nature Trail is a primarily compacted soil and grass trail that joins Woodpecker Hollow Nature Trail, which is also a 0.5-mile interpretive trail. You and Fido can explore these trails to your hearts' content for a tail-wagging good time.

The trail and its connecting paths are located in Denby Point Recreation Area, which is in the Ouachita Mountains near the beautiful Hot Springs National Park. The icing on the cake of the panoramic scenery is the Ouachita River, with 690 miles of shoreline and 40,000 surface acres that are accessible through the Buckskin Nature Trail.  While the exact elevation is not listed, the hike is considered to be a relatively easy one with only a few steep rises.

While Denby Point Recreation Area is also a campground where pets are permitted (on leashes), there are certain areas of the premises that pets are not allowed to visit, so be sure to follow the posted sign rules closely. However, there are bathrooms and picnic sites throughout the grounds should you and Fido need a break after your hike.

To get to the campgrounds from Hot Springs, AR, you will need to take Hwy 270 West 27 miles toward Mount Ida, AR. Then you will turn on Ouachita Shores Parkway, and continue to the Denby Point Recreation Area.