Exploring Northwest Arkansas

Autumn at Sam's Throne

It was pretty much peak color this past weekend in many parts of Northwest Arkansas. Below are just a few pics that I captured at Sam's Throne.

Click here for a full recap of how to get to Sam's Throne and a trail guide. 

Sam's Throne Hike

Sam’s Throne is one of those places you hear about quite a bit because it is a very popular destination for rock climbers. However, seldom do you hear about it being a great hiking trail but it, indeed, is one of the great hiking destinations in the Ozarks.  The trail here offers some great hiking, and spectacular scenery – and the area has a few really good campsites as well.

To get to Sam’s Throne, take Highway 7 south out of Jasper --  five miles south of Jasper, go East on highway 374. Follow it 7 miles and then turn South on HWY 123. Follow Hwy 123 through Mt. Judea and then go 5 more miles to the entrance to Sam’s Throne. Watch for the sign on your right.  If you’re coming from the South, Sam’s Throne is about  10 miles North of Lurton on 123.

First off, I want to note on the drive, this drive along 374 and 123 is one of the prettiest I’ve taken in the Ozarks, heading down into a beautiful valley and then back up the other side again. The route up the mountain on 123 south of Mt. Judea is VERY steep and curvy and not suitable for trailers.

Once you get to the entrance of Sam’s Throne, pull in a few hundred yards and park just outside of the gate.   There is a toilet there.  If you are here to simply see Sam’s Throne from a distance, you can pull through the gate and go to the end of the gravel road, past several drive-in campsites, to another loop and park along the loop. There are three separate trails here that all lead down to the observation area and along the bluff line that we’ll visit at the very end of our hike. If you want a spectacular 2.5 mile-ish hike, then park up by the gate.

From the gate, walk through the gate and down the hill a couple hundred yards and there is a trail that juts out into the woods on the right. The trail enters the woods almost immediately across from the first campsite on your left.

The trail heads down pretty steeply at first as you’re going to almost immediately cut through a break in the bluffline to get to the bottom of the bluffs. The trail is steep, and pretty rocky.  Not far in, the trail will split. The trail really goes to the left, but the spur to the right runs out along a rocky overlook that overlooks the valley. It’s worth a peak.

When you head back to the main trail you’ll continue downward and to the left until you eventually start following the base of the bluffline. You’ll follow right along the bluffline for about the next ½ mile. I’m not sure if this is an “official” trail, but it’s well traveled so relatively easy to follow. The hike itself is pretty great and you’re greeted with a host of great rock formations along your left.  It is likely that on spring, summer or fall weekend that you will see climbers along some of these rock faces – it’s a popular spot for climbers and for good reason.

At about ¾ of a mile, the trail will spur out to your right away from the bluff and into the woods. This is the area that takes you to Sam’s Throne. When the leaves are on the trees you’ll keep expected to see it, but you barely do until you end up right at the base of it. The trail then splits and goes around Sam’s Throne. Sam’s Throne is said to have been named after a man who preached from this rocky bluff. I can’t imagine in this remote location that many were around to hear him.

The trail will circle right at the base of the bluff – there will be many climbers here also. If you go around counter clockwise, then about 2/3 of the way around the bluff there will be a crack the bluffline where a big rock has broken off a little and has provided a little place where you can scamper up to the top of the throne without climbing equipment. This is at about 1 mile from your starting point. It’s not as tough to climb up as it looks, but do be safe and use your hands to grab some rocks and tree branches to help you up along the last little stretch.

There are a lot of little trails on top of Sam’s Throne – with spectacular views all around.

One you’ve had your fill, climb back down the way you came and continue around the rocky plateau.

Eventually you’ll get to the split in the trail and you’ll head back the way you came to the throne. A little ways back to the rocky bluffline you hike at the bottom of to get here, the trail splits again. This time take it to the right. We’re going to follow the bluffline all the way around and go back up the other side.

This part of the trail follows an old road that likely led to Sam’s Throne at one time. It’s pretty easy to follow, but other than marveling the history of this little road, this is the only non-interesting part of the hike. But it is easy to follow which is nice.

The road then takes a hard right and starts heading UP the hill. It then turns hard to the left and continues up. When the road turns back to your right, you’ll take a hard LEFT and go back out along a hiking trail that is no longer an old road. From here, it is mostly level hiking the rest of the way.

The trail now just heads out along the bluff line that you were just hiking on the bottom of. Just keep following this trail along the bluff line. There are quite a few scenic overlooks – all are very nice, but they just keep getting better and better. Eventually you’ll come out on a big rocky area that overlooks the valley. Keep following this rocky ledge around and Sam’s Throne comes into view across the valley.  The view here in all directions is amazing. The Throne, the valley, the rocky formations you’re standing on, the evergreen trees that are growing out of the rock ledges – it is all just amazing.

Enjoy for as long as you like.

When done, find a trail that takes back off to your right and up the hill. About 300 yards up the hill you hit the gravel road that if you had taken it through the gate and parked, these little trails are the ones that would have led you to the overlook without the 2.5 mile hike. Sometimes I feel like you have a greater appreciation for the views when you earn your way there. But if you parked here, you’ll note that there are three trails down to the bluffline that all leave from slightly different spots on the fence line. They all lead to the same place, but the one on your far right as you face them is probably the most direct route.

If you’re finishing up your hike, head on up the gravel road to your parking spot.

The entire loop is about 2.5 miles, but by the time you scramble to the top of Sam’s Throne and explore around a bit, it’s probably a bit closer to 3 miles of hiking. And leave yourself plenty of time for this as you’ll want a lot of time to explore, enjoy the views, and enjoy a picnic.

Distance:  Officially 2.5 miles – it sure seems further than this.

Difficulty: Moderate. Easy if you just go down to the overlook without the hike, and pretty strenuous if you scramble up to the top of Sam’s Throne.

Footwear: Trail runners, or hiking boots.

Map and guidebook: Tim Ernst’s Arkansas Nature Lover’s Handbook

Stars: 5, out of a possible 5.

Kids: To just see the overlook, yes, although hang on tight to them because it’s a long drop down. The hike is good for older kids, but not fit for youngsters.