Arkansas is full of great trails. It’s also got lots of incredible historic sites. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’ll find a place, like the Historic Van Winkle Trail, that combines the two. Offering a history lesson like no other, the short-and-sweet trail leads to the ruins of several buildings from the 19th century. Natural beauty is just as plentiful, making this trek a must-do for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs.

Take a hike…along the Historic Van Winkle Trail! Merging history and nature, it offers a unique adventure for all ages.

John Upton/Google

Easily accessible, the ½-mile loop trail is located in Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area.

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The hike begins at the trailhead parking lot, which is about 10 miles east of Rogers. From the parking lot, you’ll walk through a tunnel, which marks the start of the trail.

Rusty Landon/AllTrails

With a gravel surface that’s clearly distinguishable, the trail is easy to navigate.

B Evans/AllTrails

Like most trails it’s brimming with natural beauty.

Greg Turner/AllTrails

There’s a lake, stream, spring, greenery, and blooms. There are even a couple of benches to take it all in.

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Unlike most trails, it’s brimming with history, too. Interpretive sign panels dot the path, telling the story of Peter Van Winkle, a 19th century lumberman.

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The site the trail occupies once contained a home, mill, and several other buildings, which are long gone. However, the foundation stones of a few of the buildings remain.

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Completely in ruins, the buildings are unrecognizable. Luckily, though, the interpretive signs describe the sites and, in some cases, include historic photos.

Breanna Batey/AllTrails

Are you ready to trek along the Historic Van Winkle Trail? For more information, visit the Arkansas State Parks website.

John Upton/Google

Susan T/AllTrails

Rusty Landon/AllTrails

B Evans/AllTrails

Greg Turner/AllTrails

Brett Hurst/Google

Breanna Batey/AllTrails

So, did you know about this path to the past? Ever trekked along the Historic Van Winkle Trail? Know of another trail with historic ruins? Tell us!

This isn’t the only trail that leads to historic ruins. Click here to read about others.

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Address: Historic Van Winkle Trailhead, AR-12, Rogers, AR 72756, USA