Blue Mountain Natural Area

Visit Blue Mountain

Open daily sunrise to sunset.

• Trails

  The Blue Mountain Trail System offers several miles of trails, ranging from easy loops to more strenuous climbs. All trails are open to both hikers and mountain bikers.

  • Luna Moth Trail (2.8 miles) is well-marked with slight elevation changes, making it ideal for beginners and kids. It stays mostly in the woods, except for a brief view of Rattlesnake Ridge. It’s a nice addition to the Pinnacles trails, connecting with the Tarantula Hawk trail for a longer 6.5-mile loop.
  • Tarantula Hawk Trail (3.5 miles) is a multi-use route that connects the Blue Mountain trail system to the Rattlesnake Ridge area.
  • Dhu Drop Trail (.7 miles) is a trail that bisects the Luna Moth trail at Blue Mountain. This mellow descent features sweeping turns, low wooden bridges, and plenty of rollers for kids to play on.

  Want to stay up-to-date? Join our Rattlesnake Ridge & Blue Mountain Trail Information Facebook Group for real-time trail conditions, closures and tips. 
  

• What to Do

  Blue Mountain Natural Area is an excellent destination for hiking, wildlife observation, birdwatching, nature photography, and exploring native plant communities.

  • Hike and bike our trails
  • Book and stay at our nearby Rattlesnake Ridge House.
  • The ridge offers breathtaking views of Lake Maumelle, Pinnacle Mountain and the surrounding Ouachita foothills.
  • Spot migratory birds, deer, and other native species.

• Our Conservation Work

  Blue Mountain Natural Area protects rare sandstone glades, shortleaf pine-oak woodlands, and other native habitats that support species of conservation concern, including Arkansas twistflower and the Diana fritillary butterfly. Stewardship efforts focus on restoring natural ecological processes through prescribed fire, controlling invasive plant species, maintaining healthy woodland structure, and monitoring sensitive wildlife populations. These actions help preserve the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the preserve for future generations.

• Preserve Guidelines

  Every visitor has an impact. Please follow these guidelines to protect yourself and nature.

  • Preserves are open to the public during daylight hours. 
  • Recreation such as hiking, biking, bird watching and photography is welcomed.  
  • Stay on the trails. 
  • Leave plants, insects or other species, soil, rocks and artifacts right where you found them. 
  • Bring your own water. There is no drinking water available on-site.
  • Local laws and ordinances regarding pets apply. We encourage responsible pet ownership to ensure safety for wildlife and other visitors.
  • All dog owners must pick up pet waste and take it with them when they leave. There are no trash cans on the preserve, so please plan ahead and properly dispose of waste off-site.

  The following activities are NOT permitted at Blue Mountain:

  • Leaving trash. There are no restrooms or trash receptacles at trailheads or along the trails. Take out what you brought in and please consider taking an extra piece of litter with you.
  • Hunting
  • Cooking or making campfires
  • Driving an ATV or off-road vehicle