Mt. Nebo – Summit Park Trail

By Mike Newman, on August 3, 2010

Summit Park Trail (Mt. Nebo) near junction with Rim Trail

I have hiked quite a bit at Mount Nebo State Park, near Russellville, Arkansas, but until a couple of weeks ago I had never hiked the Summit Park Trail. It’s a trail I should have visited sooner.

Interactive Summit Park Trail (Mt. Nebo) GPX Map

Darling Spring on Summit Park Trail (Mt. Nebo)

There are two main elevation levels at Mount Nebo. There is the top of the mountain which I think of as the “rim” level since it is where the Rim Trail is located. The top of the mountain has the Visitor Center, cabins, the camping area, a pool, and some beautiful overlooks.

Summit Park Trail (Mt. Nebo)

Then about 250 feet lower is the “bench” level of the mountain. Here you will find the Bench Trail, an overlook, and some hike-in campsites.The Summit Park Trail is a 1.6-mile loop trail that explores some very interesting areas on the west side of the mountain between the rim and bench levels.

Fern Lake on Summit Park Trail (Mt. Nebo)

The trail first winds its way down toward the bench level winding up close to Darling Springs. (Pay attention once you get close to the Bench Trail so you don’t miss it.) It then heads partly back of the mountain for awhile before eventually heading back down to the bench level for a visit to Fern Lake. From there, the trail begins to work its way back up to the rim level.

Along the way, the trail also goes through some really cool boulder fields and rock gardens. There also are some neat depression-era stone steps.

The last half-mile or so is on the (beautiful) Rim Trail. (Just keep following the red blazes.)

Stone Steps on Summit Park Trail (Mt. Nebo)

You can find out more about the trail by checking out the special Summit Park Trail brochure at the Visitor Center.

As usual, I have posted some of my photos and a gpx map made from my gps data.

Click here for large interactive map. Click here for GPX file download.

VITAL INFO
Trail Name and Location	Summit Park Trail - Mount Nebo State Park
County/State	Yell/Arkansas
Date Hiked	07-15-2010
Weather/Conditions	90's, hot.
Directions	Parking is at the trailhead. It is about 400 feet southwest of the Visitor Center.
Length	1.6 miles
Loop?	Yes
Difficulty (1=Easy; 5=Most Difficult)	3
ATT Cell Coverage?	Yes
Official Info (Links)	Website. Mt. Nebo State Park Trail Map.

Similar:

Steve Garufi

2010-10-24 at 4:27 pm CST

I would appreciate your help on this. Your article isn’t clear about whether the Summit Park Trail reaches the summit. Does it? (I’m assuming the answer is “yes,” but will you confirm this?)

Also, is there a road that leads to the top? Many Arkansas mountains do, unfortunately.

Lastly, where is your picture at the summit? :)

Mike Newman

2010-10-24 at 6:38 pm CST

Steve, that is probably something I should have clarified a little more. The Summit Park Trail is named for the Summit Hotel which used to be located on Mount Nebo. See this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Nebo_%28Arkansas%29#Captain_Evins_and_the_Summit_Park_Hotel

On Mount Nebo, the “rim” level is the entire top level of the mountain. It is fairly flat. You are pretty much at the “summit” of the mountain anywhere on that level. That is where the Visitor Center, the pool, the campground, and other things are located.

You can see some photos of the view from the rim level (the Rim Trail, specifically) at this link: http://arklahomahiker.org/2010/07/04/mt-nebo-rim-trail-loop/

2010-11-05 at 10:55 pm CST

Mike, thanks for the reply! Two weeks ago I asked the visitor center in person and they clarified that the “true summit” is over on the other side of the mountain. I hiked this Summit Park Trail on 10/25 and had a great time.

Thanks for your website! :) -Steve