Backpacking on the Butterfield Trail in Arkansas

Stretching from Devil's Den State Park through Ozark National Forest, the Butterfield Trail is a prime destination for hikers looking for a place to explore the mountains of northwest Arkansas. The trail explores rocky ridges, lush forests, secluded streams and patches of open hillside prairie. Long enough for an overnight backpacking trip, the Butterfield Trail also has multiple access points that make it easy to sample a smaller section.

  1. Getting Out on the Trail

    • The Butterfield Trail travels in a 14.5-mile loop, and its official beginning and ending point is the cedar shelter trailhead in Devil's Den State Park. The trailhead is near a pavilion and playground area just past the visitors center. The park itself is a little under an hour north of Fort Smith, and Arkansas Highway 74 takes you into the park. Ample parking is provided near the trailhead. From its beginning at the cedar shelter, the trail crosses Lee Creek on a small suspension bridge and turns right along the bank on the opposite side. Blue trail markers on the trees point the way.

    Backpacking and Backcountry Camping

    • The Butterfield Trail forms a counterclockwise loop -- you can just as easily hike the trail counterclockwise, but maps and guidebooks typically plot the course in a clockwise direction -- and it requires an overnight trip for most hikers to complete. Camping is not allowed in the state park portion of the trail, but about two-thirds of the trail passes through Ozark National Forest, and backcountry camping is permitted throughout the forest as long as you pitch your tent at least 100 feet from the trail and well away from water sources. Two designated campsites are also available in the national forest portion of the Butterfield Trail.

    Shorter Hikes

    • If you don't have time for an extended trip, you can hit many of the trail's highlights over the course of a shorter hike. After departing from the cedar shelter trailhead, the trail crosses Highway 74 after a little over 3 miles, and from here you can either walk along the road back to the trailhead, or arrange to be picked up. This shorter hike packs in plenty of shady woods, trickling streams and a few strenuous sections within a smaller area. Several short side trails make it possible for you to plot your own course through Devil's Den State Park. Maps are available at the visitors center, and helpful staff members can help you plan your route.

    Know Before You Go

    • A permit is required to hike the Butterfield Trail, and you can get one free at the visitors center. The trail covers moderately difficult terrain, so expect a few tough climbs, steep descents and rocky patches, particularly in the national forest section. If you hike clockwise, the trail will take you into Ozark National Forest right after it crosses Highway 74, and then return you to the state park about 1.5 miles before returning to the trailhead. Stamina, durable footwear and plenty of water are essential. Water from springs and streams along the trail must be purified or treated before drinking. Trail users are responsible for carrying all necessary supplies with them and leaving no trace of their presence along the trail.