Hawksbill Crag/Whitaker Point

Amazing views! A pretty short hike but it’s a gravel uphill drive to get to the trail head. Great place to pack a lunch and hang your hammock to enjoy a warm spring day.

The drive in is ROUGH. Highly recommend SUV or higher set car. Do not take a low clearance car, you won't leave with all its pieces. The .5 hike in is steep downhill (247ft) and therefore the .5 hike out is a steep uphill climb, save some steam. But the rest of the hike is easy peasy and GORGEOUS. Several places to stop and rest, view, photo ops, etc. HIGHLY recommend, but keep in mind it is strenuous at the beginning and not for those who have trouble with steep inclined.

This was on my Arkansas bucket list and did not disappoint. The drive in is a little over 6 miles.. dusty but not bad. There was plenty of parking when we arrived. The trail is wooded and beautiful. A moderate trail that's easy in and a bit more incline on the way back. We did pass children and older folk hiking it. Definitely bring water and snacks. It's 3 miles total and it's fun to picnic at your arrival on the rock..lots of shade and places to sit. The trail is well maintained and marked well. Definitely worth doing if you are in the area.

The road to get to the trailhead is about 6 miles of dirt. I went when it was dry and was able to make it easily enough with my car in sport mode. The trail itself starts out going downhill, so be prepared to go uphill on your return. Some spots were difficult to tell which way the path was, but look for the orange markers/spots on the trees. There wasn't much scenery before getting to the lookout, but the trees and the sunlight dappled forest floor was still beautiful. A good short hike that's definitely worth it.

Absolutely worth the drive!! Dirt roads, I would recommend an SUV. But the hike was moderate. My kids loved it. The views are spectacular

Moderate to difficult hike. Rocks stumps and roots are a challenge in the trail, sole climbing involved ( be mindful of children and older adults ). Very well worth it! The drive to the trailhead is a dirt road ( difficult in some places)curvy, switchbacks, up and down. So be prepared.

This hike changed my life, never have I seen a hike this beautiful and pretty. I can not express in words how great this hike is. The 1 hour drive to Ponca, Arkansas was well worth it to see what I saw. Not only are there amazing people on the trails, the trail itself is so beautiful. The trail has a mix of dirt and rocks scattered with beautiful towering trees over you, once your about halfway you start going up, and then your on the edge of a mountain. Occasionally there is smaller lookouts and you think that’s it. Then you keep going and you see it. It’s so beautiful a picture can’t do it justice, it just sits there, in piece. Not too mention the beautiful overlook and trees barely hanging on the edge of the point. It’s so beautiful but then you have to go back. At the end it is hard going back up but it sure was amazing. I will be back and if I don’t I am dead. I love hawksbill crag and I hope more people in Arkansas get outdoors and explore beautiful places like this. Below J will share pictures of Hawksbill.

Hiking to Hawksbill Crag (Whitaker Point) is nothing short of magical! The trail winds through the gorgeous Ozark National Forest, building up the anticipation for the jaw-dropping finale: a rock ledge with panoramic views that’ll leave you speechless. The 2.9-mile round trip is the perfect mix of adventure and accessibility—just challenging enough to make you feel accomplished but manageable for most hikers. Heads up, the drive to the trailhead is bumpy, so be ready for a bit of off-road action. Pro tip: Go early to beat the crowds and catch the sunrise—it’s an unforgettable experience. Pack water, wear good hiking shoes, and prepare to have your mind blown. This is Arkansas at its absolute best!