Ozark National Forest: Alum Cove Natural Bridge Geological Area (Blog Hike #844)

Trail: Alum Cove National Recreation Trail

Hike Location: Ozark National Forest, Alum Cove Natural Bridge Geological Area
Geographic Location: southwest of Jasper, AR (35.86000,-93.23290)
Length: 1.3 miles
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: May 2021
Overview: A short but steep lollipop loop passing several natural bridges.
Area Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/osfnf/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=43423&actid=50
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=943693
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: From the intersection of SR 16 and SR 7 south of Jasper, take SR 16 west 1.1 miles to an unmarked paved road that exits right; turn right here.  Drive the unmarked road north 3.1 miles to the signed entrance for Alum Cove Natural Bridge Geological Area on the right.  Turn right to enter the area, and park in the parking lot for the picnic area.  The trail starts to the west (downhill) at the rear of the picnic area.

The hike: For my introductory comments on Ozark National Forest, see the previous hike.  Whereas the previous hike led to Glory Hole, possibly the Ozarks' most famous waterfall, this hike tours Alum Cove, which is probably the Ozarks' most famous collection of natural bridges.  These two short hikes are located less than 15 miles apart, so doing them both in one day as I did gives a fantastic overview of some of the best scenery Ozark National Forest has to offer.

Trailhead at picnic area

            The hike starts at a wooden information kiosk located at the bottom west end of the picnic area.  The trail immediately begins descending, using two switchbacks to ease the grade.  Oak and hickory trees dominate the ridgetop forest, and plenty of benches provide rest for the weary and winded.

            At 0.2 miles, you reach the top of the south side of Alum Cove Natural Bridge, where the trail splits to form its loop.  To make the climb back up a little easier, I chose to continue straight across the top of the bridge now and use the trail going left as my return route, thus hiking the loop counterclockwise.  Only a few feet separate the rock of Alum Cove Natural Bridge from the vertical rock bluff, and you will get a better view of this bridge from below near the end of the hike.  A wooden fence with stone posts protects you from falling off of the bridge.

Top of Alum Cove Natural Bridge

            After crossing the bridge, the trail curves left and continues descending via more switchbacks.  Ignore a side trail that exits left and heads directly to the base of Alum Cove Natural Bridge.  At 0.45 miles, you reach the bottom of Alum Cove and cross a creek using a pair of wooden planks.  This crossing marks the lowest elevation of this hike, and it is about 260 vertical feet below the picnic area.  Some large beech trees living down here add to this cove's scenery.

Crossing creek at bottom of cove

            The trail switchbacks up the west side of Alum Cove via some stone steps before the grade eases and the trail assumes a more rolling course.  Just past 0.6 miles, you reach a truly spectacular rock bluff line.  This quartz sandstone cliff is filled with rock shelters, natural arches of many shapes and sizes, small caves, and even a couple of wet-weather waterfalls.  I walked slowly along this bluff and enjoyed the many sights to be seen.

Bench under natural arch

Natural window in cliff line

            At 0.7 miles, you reach the end of the bluff where the trail curves sharply left and heads steeply downhill to recross the creek at the bottom of Alum Cove.  This far up the cove, the creek is shallow enough that it can be rock-hopped in times of normal flow.  Next the climb back to the trailhead continues, and at 0.9 miles you reach the base-view of Alum Cove Natural Bridge.  At 130 feet long and 20 feet wide, this bridge is the largest and tallest bridge in this cove.  Yet part of me prefers the intricate collection of natural bridges on the other side of the cove over this stand-alone feature.

Alum Cove Natural Bridge

            The trail climbs steeply around the south side of Alum Cove Natural Bridge via a single switchback to reach the top of the bridge and close the loop.  Retracing your steps back up the last two switchbacks returns you to the picnic area to complete the hike.  While you are here, you may as well bring a snack to eat or a book to read and enjoy this rustic and remote picnic area, which I shared with only a couple of other people when I came here on a nice mid-May afternoon.