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Arkansas State Parks is asking visitors to take extra precautions on the trail as temperatures climb, and is pointing people toward water and cave activities as a way to stay comfortable outdoors.
The agency’s advice for hiking in extreme heat starts with the route. Officials suggest reviewing maps and picking a trail that matches your ability, and swapping a longer hike for something shorter and shaded when the forecast calls for it.
Hikers should carry at least a liter of water per person and bring water for pets. The agency recommends drinking early rather than waiting until you feel thirsty.
Groups should let the slowest hiker set the pace and stay together. Officials also suggest resting in the shade often and checking for heat advisories or thunderstorms before heading out, with early morning and evening the better windows for anything strenuous.
Turning back is fine. Dizziness, weakness or feeling overheated are signs to stop, and the agency notes the parks will still be there on a cooler day.
For visitors who would rather skip the trail altogether, the closest option is at Bull Shoals-White River State Park, which offers a guided snorkel adventure on Bull Shoals Lake. Other guided kayak and paddleboard programs run at parks including DeGray Lake Resort, Lake Fort Smith, Hobbs and Lake Dardanelle.
Blanchard Springs Caverns near Fifty-Six stays cool year-round and is about an hour and a half south of Mountain Home. Cave tours run regardless of what the thermometer says outside.
Indoor visitor centers are another option. Parks including Petit Jean, Pinnacle Mountain, Logoly and Jacksonport have exhibits on Arkansas history and culture, and many locations have stores with snacks and drinks.
Arkansas State Parks is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. The system was established in 1923 and covers just over 55,000 acres.
More information on programs and reservations is available at ArkansasStateParks.com.
