Hot Springs National Park · Arkansas

West Mountain Trail

1.2 mi of trail, end to end · about 150 ft of climbing · 849 ft–985 ft

860 ft 849 ft · 1.2 mi high 985 ft

An Overview: West Mountain Trails the Park Service's write-up

40-240 Minutes · dogs allowed · season Trails are accessible and enjoyable all year long.

Start Hot Springs National Park

Dirt hiking trail surrounded by dense forrest.
People hiking on West Mountain. Photo: NPS Photo/Mitch Smith

The West Mountain trails are typically less traveled, providing greater opportunities for wildlife sightings. You can get to these trails via Whittington Park and the Canyon Trailhead. See the West Mountain trail map for more information.

Easy:

Whittington Trail - The flat, gravel trail is popular with joggers and walkers. Whittington Trail loops around Whittington Park.

Distance (one way): 1.2 mi (1.9 km)

Elevation gain: 647-685ft (197-209m)

Grade: 0.6%

Moderate:

Oak Trail - The northeastern end of Oak Trail is mostly flat. The trail is fairly steep for a short distance between West Mountain Trail and West Mountain Drive.

Distance (one way): 1.0mi (1.6km)

Elevattion gain: 698-922ft (213-281m)

Grade: 4.2%

West Mountain Trail - Both sections of West Mountain Trail have gradual change in elevation. Note: West Mountain Trail can be made into a loop by using Mountian Top Trail (elevation change: 400 feet in this section).

Distance (one way): 1.2mi (1.9km)

Elevation gain: 926-992ft (282-302m)

Grade: 1.1 %

Strenuous:

Canyon Trail - The West Mountain trails can be reached from downtown via Canyon Trail. The trailhead is behind the Mountain Valley Water building. The section between West Mountain Drive and West Mountain Trail is very steep.

Distance (one way): 0.7mi (1.1km)

Elevation gain: 626-933ft (191-303m)

Grade: 10%

Mountain Top Trail - If hiking southward, the trail is strenous, as it gains elevation quickly. If hiking northward, there is a steady rise in elevation until you cross Sunset Trail; the trail descends steeply to the trailhead at Whittington Park.

Distance (one way): 1.5mi (2.4km)

Elevation gain: 675-1100ft (206-335m)

Grade: 5.4%

Accessibility Whittington Trail is accessible by most mobility devices. The other trails on West Mountain are not ADA compliant.

This hike on nps.gov

Canyon Trail the Park Service's write-up

25-45 Minutes · dogs allowed

Start Trail head

A ranger in uniform walks up the curved trail through the forest.
A ranger walks up the Canyon Trail. Photo: NPS Photo/Mitch Smith

The West Mountain trails can be reached from downtown via Canyon Trail. The trailhead is behind the Mountain Valley Water building. The section between West Mountain Drive and West Mountain Trail is very steep.

Distance (one way): 0.7mi (1.1km)

Elevation: 626 - 933ft (191 - 303m)

Typical grade: 10%

Accessibility This is a steep, packed gravel trail. It is not ADA compliant.

This hike on nps.gov

Mountain Top Trail the Park Service's write-up

45-75 Minutes · dogs allowed

Start Trail head

A rocky trail curves through the trees on a hillside.
A view of a trail on West Mountain. Photo: NPS Photo/Mitch Smith

Mountaintop trail can be linked with Canyon Trail and West Mountain trail to complete a loop around West Mountain. If hiking southward, the trail is strenuous, as it gains elevation quickly. If hiking northward, there is a steady rise in elevation until you cross Sunset Trail; the trail descends steeply to the trailhead at Whittington Park.

Distance (one way): 1.5mi (2.4km)

Elevation: 675 - 1100ft (206 - 335m)

Typical grade: 5.4%

Accessibility This is a rocky, packed gravel, steep trail. It is not ADA compliant.

This hike on nps.gov

West Mountain Trail the Park Service's write-up

30-60 Minutes · dogs allowed

Start Trail head

A stone shelter sits on a hillside overlooking a rolling landscape.
Shelter near the West Mountain Trail. Photo: NPS Photo/Mitch Smith

Both sections of West Mountain Trail have gradual change in elevation. Note: West Mountain Trail can be made into a loop by using Mountain Top Trail (elevation change: 400 feet in this section).

Distance (one way): 1.2mi (1.9km)

Elevation: 926 - 992ft (282 - 302m)

Typical grade: 1.1%

Accessibility This is packed gravel trail. It is not ADA compliant.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 28 trails in Hot Springs National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.