Hike Hawksbill Crag/Whitaker Point in Arkansas

Hiking to Arkansas’ Whitaker Point is somewhat of an Ozarks rite of passage. If you haven’t been there, you’ve most likely seen a photo of the large rock point jutting out into the air framed by mountains behind it. As popular as this spot is, it lives up to the hype. Pictures, even with all of their filters, do not do this place justice. 

In addition to the killer views, we like this trail because it’s straightfoward and nearly impossible to get lost on. The downside of this trail is it tends to be highly trafficked. We recommend starting early in the morning to have the trail to yourself. We also recommend that you screen shot the directions before you leave the house because you might lose cell service closer to the trail.

The majority of this trail is pretty unremarkable, but the view at the end is worth it. You’ll descend gradually for part of the hike, which means there is a bit of a climb on the way out, but it’s not too bad. You’ll follow the trail for about a mile-and-a-half until you hit Whitaker Point, which you can’t miss. To get the perfect picture, walk back up the trail a ways to a smaller bluff. From here you have just the right angle to capture that Instagram-worthy shot. Once you’ve soaked in all the glorious views, head back out the way you came in.