Arkansas Sphinx

11/04/2018

Arkansas Sphinx

In 10 years of reading about, and exploring Northwest Arkansas, I had never heard of the Arkansas Sphinx. However, when Danny Hale published his book, Takahik, Hiking the Arkansas Ozarks, I decided I need to check it out.

This isn't really so much of a hike as a "thing to see". The "hike", as it were, is short, but difficult.

Getting There

From Hwy 7, take Hwy 123 WEST from Pelsor. Travel 16.3 miles and turn LEFT onto JC 4840 (this is 3.7 miles past the Haw Creek Campground entrance). Travel on 4840 for .5 miles, the road takes a hard right, and then turns left. Find a place to park along the road. There are two trees with an S in a circle painted on them on the left side of the road at the spot.

The Trail

The trail isn't regularly maintained (although some maintenance had been done recently prior to my visit) and heads STRAIGHT up the hill. It's not a long hike, but it is straight up - nearly 900 feet straight up. The "trail" goes through a lot of sumac and then gets to a few rocky spots where you can stop to catch your breath and take in the views of the Ozarks below. Those who make the climb will be reward with a huge view and one of the more unique rock formations in the region.

It's worth noting that in Hale's trail guide, he references a second, longer route to get to the Sphinx. I attempted this route, and found the old road easy enough to travel -- however, beyond the food plot, the trail got very thick and over-grown to the point where I eventually turned around and decided to come in from the closer route. It wouldn't be the first time I've wandered off the trail ended up at the wrong spot, but at this point, I can't recommend taking the longer route.