Hawksbill Crag/Whitaker Point

This is a great moderate hike. There are some steep areas and there are lots of rocks and roots across the trail. But the big rock overhang at the end is worth it as is a couple smaller ones along the way. It is not handicap accessible, and if you are not in Good health, I wouldn’t try it. But it is a beautiful hike that is well maintained and clean.

This was a great hike. It had beautiful views on the trail and off the cliffs along the way. The fall colors were amazing, we joked that the leaves on the trail reminded us of Indian corn. We had fun naming some of the rock formations. One looked like a monkey face and another reminded us of ET. We had lunch on hawksbill crag and enjoyed the quiet peacefulness that awaited our arrival. The trail going in seemed mostly downhill so going back was not exciting but it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The trail itself is heavily used but look out for roots and rocks. When you first get on the trail there is a split that goes around, just follow it to the left and you'll be in the right spot. If you aren't sure just give it a few minutes, your sure to have another hiker come thru. There were lots of people out there but everyone walking at their own pace and the trail length allowed for distance on the trail so you didn't really notice how many people there were. The only complaint is the road on the way to the parking are is very rough. Absolutely loved this as a new hiker.

Dirt road to get here. 3 small steep parts of the trail (you immediately start with the first difficult part, so if you got that you're gonna be fine the rest of the trail). Absolutely breathtaking views along the trail, not just at the destination. We've been here 2 years ago in the summer and wanted to come back this year. Absolutely would recommend visiting in the fall if you have the chance. Different colors on the trees.. We were a bit too early in the year for peak fall colors but we can see the different colors staring to appear already. Just beautiful.

We stopped to see the beauty of nature. Let me tell you I don't mind a hike. Love it. So let me explain for the unsuspecting visitors. You need a reliable vehicle because you will be driving up a mountain. Once you get to the small space to park there will not be a lot of useful information on the information board. Then thankfully there might be other people to explain you will be hiking about a mile and a half. So have great shoes and a backpack for essentials like water. What they fell to tell you is there are not any markings or arrows soooo just stick to the trail. Also there are tons of tripping hazards like rocks and roots. But it is gorgeous and you will get your steps in. Have and don't trip.

It was a really great hike. Leisurely and not hard but lots of tree roots so be careful! NOTE: if you are a group - PLEASE make sure to share the major attraction. We had one group occupy the rock for 45 minutes and several people were waiting to just take ONE photo and enjoy the space among other people. Spacial awareness 🙏 Parking was easy but please read the other reviews and ensure you know road conditions going up to the trailhead. And enjoy!

We lucked out and had the whole place to ourself. What a beautiful view. It's a fun hike. Make sure you take a lot of water if you're camping. A lot of wild life around the tent at night which was cool.

Nothing is well marked, where you turn to head up, where the trails starts or the trail itself. Navigation got us there ok but my goodness the drive up the dirt road was a bit nerve wracking! I can’t imagine a car making it. The trail is well traveled so that at least helps and we did see others but on a Monday in January it wasn’t busy. It’s a great doable hike but be prepared for a very steep and long drive up and down!

Worth the long drive, and the dirt road, and the hike in the dark to make it for sunrise! I recommend taking the hwy 16 route through Pettigrew on the way there. Once you turn off on dirt road it’s almost 7 miles but the road is much less steep, less drop offs, and less narrow than going the route through Kingston. I prefer that when I’m driving in the dark. I drove out (back to Fayetteville) through Kingston which was a gorgeous fall foliage drive. Even pre-sunrise the trail head parking area was very full, lots of people so don’t worry about “going alone” there will be people around. Bring a head lamp for the 1.5 mile hike to the point. Lots of dogs on trail too.

Well worth it! Staying near the area and did this while close by. The road there is a red dirt/clay/gravel road. We drove up it in a Civic, not a big deal but would not have made it after a rain. The hike and views are just as epic as anywhere we have hiked in the world. Cold, so we had the crag all to ourselves. 10/10

A hike, a drive, a crag...Panama. We'll talk about the hike first. The 3-mile hike is completely within a forest, which on a sunny fall Saturday afternoon was welcome. The trail has a slight bit of elevation change at the beginning (and therefore the end, since you come back the same way) - you'll see two cut paths in front of you soon after you start, one going straight and one going downhill to the right, and you may wonder which path you should take but you'll soon realize that the steeper downhill turn is just a shortcut that saves you from going the whole switchback length. Helpful for if you are in a crowd you'd rather get away from, or if you're returning at the end and want to feel like you're up for a challenge after this easy walk afterwards. The path is easy to follow otherwise and with one more minor downhill/uphill bit near the end is relatively level and easy going. The crag is of course the star attraction - the walk to get to the general area is enjoyable if not necessarily scenic, but once you get to the last half-mile you'll begin walking closer to the edge. Especially on a Saturday there will be people at the lookout and you may have to wait a bit to get a secluded photo, and there will inevitably be some schmuck who thinks the place is all about him & won't take any hints, but whatever, embrace the nature and you'll soon be able to tune that guy out of your life for good. The rock is pretty wide and not treacherous in dry weather at all unless you're trying to pose and being very careless. And once you make it to the end you can then stop at all of the other little spots you'll see to your left that are also along the edge, which also have enjoyable views - granted, not as dramatic as the payoff, but not nearly as crowded if my visit was any indication. As for the drive, I came up from the south and went back the same way, since I heard that was not as steep as the north side. I was in an SUV and am a total BABY when it comes to driving on atypical roads so I kept the speed somewhere between 7 and 15 going, 10 and 20 returning. By doing so, I was guaranteed to have people behind me so any time I noticed it I'd pull to "the side" (easier in some places than others) and they'd blare past me (including a mail truck, giving me total faith in that USPS motto). At that speed though, no safety issues (again, in dry weather) though I probably pinged my vehicle up with a bit of loose gravel along the way, though whether that was from my own driving or the hellbent mail trucks/anxious wedding photographers is subject to debate. As such it took me about a half-hour to drive those 7 miles of nonpaved road which extended my google drive estimate - it appears they assume you'll drive 20mph for what it's worth. Parking on a Saturday afternoon was packed, but I saw one (and only one) spot at 1:30pm, though at 3 when I left it was a bit more open. One dusty driver's anecdotal tale.

One of the best views you will find in Arkansas! It is absolutely stunning. If you are looking for a place to hike, this is it. Some pointers before hiking the trail: - It is referred to as an easy trail, though I would consider it more moderate in difficulty. There are a lot of rocks on the trail and uneven footing. You will be doing a lot of uphill and downhill walking so make sure to get some good hiking shoes/boots. - Try to drive an SUV or 4 wheel drive car because the journey to the parking area is largely a dirt road with rocks and gravel. There are a lot of twists and turns and it is a fairly steep drive up the mountain. Take County Rd 5, it's easier on the car, I promise. - Come earlier in the morning in order to get beautiful pictures and less groups of people. Makes for a much more enjoyable experience in nature. Overall, this is a must-hike trail if you're in Arkansas. The view of the peak is incredible and stunning. The journey there isn't too difficult as long as you are prepared. Highly recommend!

Went for a Sunrise Hike, if you're a first timer at this spot don't be afraid the terrain is pretty easy and we went when it was 8 degrees but warmed up really good once we got going. Great views but definitely a primetime fall trip if you're going to go!

Hawksbill Crag is one of the coolest places I have hiked to. It is so beautiful! My husband and I finally went, my mom was in town to watch the kids (you don't want to take your young kids here, you would probably have a panic attack... too many high drop offs). You drive up a long and sometimes steep road to the top of the hill (or I guess it is considered a mountain) and there is parking along the road where the trailhead starts. The Whitaker trailhead is easy to spot with a sign. The hike itself is not too long or steep, it's relatively easy. It is a beautiful hike/walk! Make sure you watch your footing because there are rocks and uneven ground, it is after all a hike. Once you emerge and get to Hawksbill Crag, the view is amazing! There are a few peaks, but hawksbill crag is super cool! We traded taking pictures with another couple and whoever was taking the photo would go to the next lookout point. Having our picture taking from that far back you can really see how far the crag goes out! It was beautiful, but my palms were sweating just thinking of how steep the fall would be and of course the thought went through my mind, what if this big rock just falls off?! Ahhhh! Haha. I'm an optimist, but realistic too, it could happen! Plus, people have died slipping off the edge, so be careful! There were multiple people that went so close to the edge, practically hanging off their legs. Just typing this makes me nervous right now haha. I kept a safe and comfortable distance, but was still able to experience it!

Awesome hike to one of the top photographed places in Arkansas. The hike is okay for beginners and about 3 miles round trip. Make sure you go to the bathroom before you drive up the hill to park, otherwise your bladder will hate you. I drive a Kia Soul and made the way up the hill easily, just went very slow. It's probably better to take a jeep, but I'm not living that lifestyle yet. I wouldn't recommend taking a new car up, as gravel may damage the paint. Totally worth the drive and the view is amazing. Definitely should be on everyone's bucket list. This state has a lot of natural beauty.

I couldn't check in here because there isn't a cell phone signal for miles, just my kind of place :-) Getting up the steep, bumpy, dirt road to get there is slow going but completely doable in just about anything. The hike to the Hawksbill starts off with a pretty steep descent and you'll be thinking, I have to climb up this to get back out, but then it settles into a rambling hilly, open trail. Along the trail you will find many varieties of wildflowers, spirit trees and even some poison ivy (so be careful where you put your hands). The Hawksbill Crag, also known as Whitaker Point, located on Cave Mountain is one of the most photographed sites in AR. The view is fantastic but don't look down because the fall is a couple of hundred feet.

If you live in Northwest Arkansas or southwest Missouri and love the outdoors, Hawksbill is a must-visit. The trail: May not be the best for first-timers because the terrain is rocky and hilly, but it wasn't particularly steep at any point. Just make sure you pay attention to the ground - lots of rocks sticking up from the ground. There were several hikers on the trail on the day I went, but it never seemed crowded. You may have to step aside if someone is coming toward you from the other direction. My group took a leisurely pace, and it was about three hours round-trip. The sights: The views are overwhelming and humbling. The peak ledge is shown in pictures all over the internet, but there are several overlooks with open views of the mountains and valleys. The peak cliff is actually really wide, so there were several groups - including dogs! - relaxing there. A few people even brought hammocks. Bring a camera and bring a friend. The trip there: You'll have to travel several miles up a gravel road that's only about 1.5 lanes wide to get to the trail. There were a few sedans in the lot, but if you have 4-wheel drive, couldn't hurt to take it.

Absolutely the most beautiful view, great hiking, and awesome pictures to document our trip!

This place is also know as Hawksbill Crag. Its about a 20 minute drive up country road 5 after you turn from highway 21. It's about a 1.5 mile hike to the Crag...3 mile round trip. The trail is rocky and tree covered. The entrance to the hike is a little difficult to spot as its marked by a big white engraved rock that doesn't say the name. Bring water and a snack. Check out the crag on the crag or from a couple of the viewpoints before you get there. You can also do some camping out there if you want to see the crag at dawn or dusk. Most photographed place in Arkansas.

I really enjoyed the last 1/4 mile of the hike going here, where you can look out on the valley bellow. There are many spots like the actual point where you can hop up on a boulder and look down or out on the valley below. The actual spot is very cool. I would definitely go in the middle of the week in the spring or fall because there are hundreds of tourist all trying to get the same photo!

OH! For the love of hiking !!! Great 3 mile hike from the trail head through tree canopies and near rocky cliffs. The Hawskbill Crag aka Whitaker Point is the selling point and worth the moderate hike. I drove up before the sun woke and hiked with a flashlight through darkness for the first 20-30 minutes to catch the sunrise. It was great being the first one on the cliff. Hikers show up quickly after the sun is up. Bring your tripod and a self timer. You can bring your dog. Watch your step, junior... as you can easily make this your last hike. Killer views!!! I think they average about two deaths per year. Plenty of trails, serene waterfalls, and a great way to find your inner peace adventuring through these woods.

You must see this beautiful place! I went here last month with a group of friends and we had such a great time exploring this area. The view from Hawksbill Crag is unbelievable and pictures do not do it justice. It was slightly overcast on our hike out to the point but the view was only enhanced by the amazing fog lingering in the trees below. Definitely check this place out if you are in the area.

So very very awesome! We loved it! Long drive to get there and then it's over a mile to walk to, but it's amazing once you're there!! I was surprised to see a man step down and sit where it slopes. People have fallen and died. There are no warning signs. But you're fine as long as you stay on the flat part. The beauty of the hills and wilderness around you is incredible!!