Depending on the time of year, hiking in Arkansas can be grueling due to the heat and humidity. Avid hikers get the most out of Arkansas trails, without having a heat stroke, by starting early! The early bird gets the worm so they say. Thankfully, you’ll be well rewarded for heeding the alarm because sunrises over the fields and mountains of Arkansas are quite spectacular! This week, we’ve gathered up all the best spots to catch an Arkansas sunrise for those of you who like to wake up with the sun.
We’ll summit Pinnacle Mountain for possibly the best view in the state and watch the golden rays awaken the Arkansas Grand Canyon. We’ll also fill you in on some necessary tips and tricks for hiking in the Natural State. Get your coffee and wipe those sleepy eyes folks, it’s time to find your next adventure!
The Arkansas Landscape
For those unfamiliar with Arkansas, let’s do a little rundown of the diverse landscape and viewing opportunities here. The Natural State is full of fantastic trails and scenic drives, but each corner has its own vibe.
Northwest Arkansas is arguably the most beautiful with the Ozark National Forest and rolling peaks of the Boston Mountains. It features epic overlooks and plenty of hiking and camping options surrounding sparkling lakes and famous rivers.
The center of the state revolves around the Arkansas River Valley. It features the tallest peak in the state—Mount Magazine and some epic views from Mount Nebo and Pinnacle Mountain as well.
The Southwest features the Ouachita Mountains including the second-highest peak—Rich Mountain. It also boasts the largest lake in the state.
The east of the state is mostly Mississippi Delta flatland and farming. It’s beautiful in its own way but doesn’t feature the elevation present in the rest of the state.
If you want to explore Arkansas on foot, take a look at our list of the best hikes in Arkansas!
Why Hike at Sunrise?
Some of you are thinking… “seriously…sunrise? That means I have to get up in the middle of the night and start hiking?!” Yes. Yes. We know. In some ways, that sounds awful. However, there are a lot of benefits to starting early:
- You avoid the heat and humidity.
- You get the trail all to yourself.
- You have an excuse to eat second breakfast (with a view) after all that uphill hiking.
- Wildlife is often most active early in the morning.
- There’s something about watching the sun rise over a beautiful landscape that’s good for the soul.
- You get your exercise out of the way before the rest of the world is even awake.
The Best Spots for an Arkansas Sunrise
Now that we’ve hopefully convinced you to take on a sunrise hike, here are the best sunrises in Arkansas, in no particular order. The list includes towering cliffs, expansive cotton fields, and forested state parks! You’ll need to put in some footwork for a few of these beauties, but many are just an easy, scenic drive away!
1. Sunrise Point- Mount Nebo State Park
Mount Nebo State Park is located in Central Arkansas near the town of Dardanelle. The area is bathed in water with Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River both in view. Mount Nebo towers 1,350 feet above the river basin boasting excellent views in all directions from its Rim Trail. All in all, it’s one of the best hikes in the state.
Safely and slowly traverse the steep road. It reaches 18% grade and includes multiple hairpin switchbacks. Once you reach the visitor center, you’ll want to join the Rim Trail and go clockwise. After a short walk, your first viewpoint will be Sunrise Point. Though the viewpoint technically faces south, the views are panoramic, and the fiery display lights up the waters and rolling ridges below on all sides.
If you’ve got plenty of energy, resume hiking the loop to Lover’s Leap and Sunset Point, the largest viewing area on the trail. There is a parking lot at Sunset Point, so you can drive directly there and park if you prefer a non-hiking view. Just fill up your Stanley Cup and enjoy sparkling panoramas while you take in your morning fuel!
2. Arkansas Grand Canyon-Jasper
Jasper is without a doubt one of the most beautiful areas in Arkansas. The little town sits deep in the Ozark National Forest and boasts some of the best hiking in the state, some of the best campgrounds, the largest waterfall, and Buffalo National River cliffs. It’s a stunning area, and that includes epic sunrises too!
The Arkansas Grand Canyon is just like it sounds, a large forested valley and the deepest canyon in the Ozarks. The most famous spot to enjoy the view is from the Cliff House Inn or the overlook nearby. The viewpoints face east, directly into the rising sun, fulfilling all your sunrise photography dreams. This view is especially incredible during late October and November when it’s bathed in color as the fantastic fall foliage of the area peaks!
We recommend getting there early to take in the sunrise and hanging around for a hearty breakfast at Cliff House Inn when they open at 9 am.
3. Pinnacle Mountain-Maumelle
Pinnacle Mountain is a popular hike in Central Arkansas. It’s beloved not so much for the hike but for the views at the summit! The craggy peak isn’t the tallest in the state, but it arguably gives the best panoramas, with a 360-degree view!
There’s an easy parking lot at the base of the mountain, and two routes up. The West Trail is the most popular and developed. It’s a fairly straightforward climb with a lot of natural stairs. The East Trail is a rock scramble up what seems like a mile-high pile of boulders. Pick your poison, the view from the top is the same either way—sweeping!
If you don’t want to hike, there are actually great views from the picnic area at the Pinnacle Mountain State Park Visitor Center and the easy-to-reach Lookout Point.
4. Stout’s Point- Petit Jean State Park
Petit Jean is one of the premier parks in Arkansas, located in the central region near Morrilton. It features the popular Cedar Falls hike, multiple campgrounds, lake activities, Native American history, and a fantastic lodge with a pretty impressive view of its own. However, Stout Point is the best spot to catch a sunrise. The Gravesite Overlook is located just off Arkansas Highway 154, 4 miles east of the Visitor Center.
The overlook features a rocky overlook with multiple viewing areas, an interesting curved tree hanging out over the cliff, and a wide panorama facing the eastern horizon.
Pro Tip: Petit Jean park rangers offer a sunrise, guided birding adventure for free that begins at Graveside Overlook on scheduled days. Check out the Arkansas State Park Events calendar for dates.
5. Rattlesnake Ridge-Roland
Rattlesnake Ridge Natural Area is located just west of Pinnacle Mountain and is probably one of the state’s best-kept secrets. The vast area of hiking and biking trails weave through interesting rock formations popular with climbers.
Hop on Cliffbrake Trail (combination mountain biking and hiking), which takes you to the summit of the ridge. From this unique viewpoint, you’ll see the sun rise near the craggy Pinnacle Mountain jutting out above the morning mist and low-lying clouds, as well as the easternmost ridge of the Ouachita Mountains. You can also see Lake Maumelle and most of the Arkansas River Valley.
The trail is 3/4 mile and relatively level, at an elevation of 900 feet above sea level. Expect a 30 to 45-minute hike up to the ridge from the trailhead parking lot and about the same for the downhill scramble.
6. White Rock Mountain- Winslow
White Rock Mountain is located near some of the best bouldering in Arkansas at Fern Gully, and one of the best bushwhacking hikes at Devil’s Canyon. It also boasts some of the most impressive Arkansas sunrises and sunsets.
From the White Rock Rim Trail, you get both! Park at the White Rock Office and join the trail. It’s an easy 1.8-mile trail circling the summit and offering wonderful views of the Ozark Mountains!
This area is remote and less developed, but it’s still popular with tent campers, ATV enthusiasts, rock climbers, and waterfall chasers!
Note: In Google Maps, the trail is labeled White Rock Overlook Trailhead, and there is parking near the lodge.
7. Reaching New Heights Hot Air Balloon Festival- Clarksville
If you want a truly easy and breathtaking way to see the Arkansas River Valley at sunrise, rush to Clarksville in September for their annual Reaching New Heights Festival! They offer sunrise hot air balloon rides with a reservation and tethered rides without. The festival is free to visit and offers one of the best views of Arkansas from above. The rides are not free, but it’s free to throw down a blanket and watch the elegant balloons fill the morning sky!
8. Sunrise Rock-Mount Magazine State Park
Mount Magazine is the tallest peak in Arkansas, but it’s well known for its disappointing summit views. Unfortunately, the Signal Hill hike is tree-covered, and hard to get a glimpse of anything but bark and leaves. However, there are some great vistas elsewhere in the park.
The best place to catch a sunrise is Sunrise Rock, which is on an easy loop called Bear Hollow Trail. With a name like “Sunrise Rock,” it must have a phenomenal sunrise, right? We think so!
Starting at the parking lot at Benefield Picnic Area, join the trail north end of the parking lot. You can turn left or right, as the trail is a short loop. If you turn right, you’ll shortly reach Sunrise Rock. You’ll visit two viewpoints that overlook the unique formations and cliffs lining Bear Hollow. Mount Nebo is visible in the distance as well.
Mount Magazine is full of color in the fall, and the trail is easily traversed by most. Just download a trail map before going, as many smaller trails intersect in this area, and it can get confusing.
Pro Tip: If you can’t make the hike, arrive at Mount Magazine from Hwy 10, turning at Havana onto Hwy 309. From here, you’ll climb up the mountain, and you can stop at the Petit Jean Valley Overlook for an epic sunrise in the comfort of your car!
9. Hickory Nut Overlook-Mt. Ida
Heading south into the Ouachita Mountains, you’ll find the largest lake in the state and one of the cleanest lakes in the country. It’s a popular spot for watersports including scuba diving, hunting, and fishing. Hickory Nut Mountain Vista & Picnic Area is a popular spot for Ouachita Lake lovers to enjoy a morning cup of joe.
Hickory Nut Overlook is a little past the picnic area, so keep driving. Once you arrive at the overlook, you’ll get a jaw-dropping view of Lake Ouachita and its hundreds of islands as the sun rises above the sparkling waters!
10. Hot Springs Mountain Scenic Drive-Hot Springs
Located in Central Arkansas at the edge of the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs is probably the most famous tourist destination in the state, and for good reason. The area is historic, fun, and beautiful with plenty of nice roadside overlooks. However, our favorite spot to catch the sun waking is from Hot Springs Mountain Drive.
The drive begins at the end of Fountain Street, just off Central Avenue, in the beating heart of lively Downtown Hot Springs. Traverse the switchbacks to the summit picnic area for a sunrise view of the Pagoda and the Hot Springs Mountain Tower.
11. Hawksbill Crag-Ponca
Whitaker Point is colloquially known as Hawksbill Crag, and it’s one of the most incredible (if dangerous) views in Arkansas. With no barriers, the brave can step out onto a rock overhang and take in the vista views of the Ozark Mountains and the Buffalo River Valley. Located in Northern Arkansas, it’s one of the best places to view the cornucopia of fall colors in the region.
Aside from the autumn color display, Hawksbill is also a great place to catch sunrise, and it will certainly be less crowded at daybreak. There is public parking across from the trailhead. The hike is a 3-mile round trip and a fairly easy jaunt. You’ll follow the bluff edge most of the way, so be careful and take in the views as the morning light appears. From the viewpoint, you’ll get excellent photos as the sun rises over the mountains and the cloud-filled valley. It’s pretty spectacular!
12. Lake Chicot-Lake Village
Last but not least, we head to the eastern portion of the state and the vast cotton and soy fields of the Mississippi River Delta. The flatlands offer a totally different kind of sunrise experience, with views that range for miles in every direction. Once a channel of the Mighty Mississippi, Lake Chicot is the largest natural lake in the state and the largest oxbow lake in all of North America. If you want to combine your sunrise experience with excellent birding opportunities, then this is your spot.
The sunrise at Lake Chicot is so fantastic that they offer barge tours to take it in from the water. Guided by park interpreter, Alex, the tour treats you to not only the awesome sunrise but to a thorough and informative session on the history and ecology of the area.
Closing Thoughts on Catching an Arkansas Sunrise
We hope you enjoyed this list of the best spots to see an Arkansas sunrise. The Natural State is truly beautiful, and whether you choose an early morning hike, a scenic drive, or a guided boat trip, it’s worth seeing under the sun’s first rays. Just remember when getting outdoors in Arkansas to pack plenty of water, wear sturdy shoes for the rocks and possible snake encounters (Don’t worry. Sightings are rare.), and give yourself a good spray of sunscreen and bug spray. With these small precautions taken care of, hit the trails and enjoy the beauty of Arkansas!
For more Arkansas adventures, check out our Travel Blog! We have tons of fascinating articles highlighting the best things to do in Arkansas!