Hiking the Nature Trail at Hill Wheatley Park in Hot Springs, AR

I hike the Nature Trail at Hill Wheatley Park five to six times a week, and on the weekends, Andrew and the dogs accompany me on the 1-mile-long trail. It was a bit overcast today, but I decided to take the camera along to snap some pictures. The trail provides some very nice views, but because it's currently late winter, you can also see several houses, roads and buildings through the mostly bare trees. It's still a nice, scenic hike and there are picnic tables, a swimming area, restrooms and a boat ramp available in the park.

We only live a few blocks from the park and it takes less than five minutes to walk there from our front door. This stone wall stands along side the entrance road. Driving in, it's easy to overlook.

Stone Wall at Hill Wheatley Park Entrance - Hot Springs, AR

Hiking Gulpha Gorge Trail to Dead Chief Trail in Hot Springs, AR

We decided to stay close to home this weekend and hike some of the trails surrounding the beautiful Gulpha Gorge campground in Hot Springs. Our original intention was to hike Goat Rock Trail, but due to missing trail markers and our lack of preparation, we ended up hiking the Gulpha Gorge Trail and a portion of Dead Chief Trail. We hiked approximately 1 mile total, but there were LOTS of hills along the way. The views were beautiful, even this early in spring when most of the forest is still dormant.

Since we were just day-hiking, we parked in the picnic area and walked through the campground, past the amphitheater and fire ring, and across the creek to the trail head. It was a lovely day and the campground was packed with people.

Gulpha Gorge Campground - Hot Springs, AR