The Ridgeline Trails in Vandervoort
By: Courtesy of: Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism (Zoie Clift)
Updated: March 15, 2013
The Ridgeline Trails in Vandervoort provide visitors a chance to enjoy
over 15 miles of private forested trails. Located around 4 miles from
the Cossatot River and surrounded on all sides by the Ouachita National
Forest, Ridgeline encompasses a system of trails (many on steep terrain)
that meander up, down, and around deeply forested hills ideal for
hiking, mountain biking, and small off-road vehicles like ATVs and dirt
bikes. The destination is also a good target for canoeists and kayakers
due to the proximity of the Cossatot.
The aim of Ridgeline, owner Richard Warrington says, is to "focus on folks who appreciate the quietness and beauty of this special place in the woods."
The trails stand out from others in the state, Warrington says, because they limit the number of guests to a small group of friends or families. "You will have this wooded wonderland to yourself and your small group," he said.
The point of the trails, he says, is to highlight the tranquility of nature. The target, he says, are hikers, bikers or ATV riders who are "into taking in nature at a slow pace, who would relish the peace and solitude found there."
Ridgeline is beyond the power grid and three sites are available for guests to park motor homes or travel trailers. The sites are less than 2 miles from Hwy 246 on National Forest Road 176.
"The focus of the trails is on family and friends," added Warrington. "We want them to share their hiking, biking, or ATV experience where no stranger or unknown person will interrupt their time together in the woods or on the trails."
Once a guest has booked a site, he says, only family or friends they invite have access to the other sites, which provides an intimate and exclusive atmosphere for the entourage.
Also, in case visitors seek more miles of trails, they can head out on the forest road from their site to Wolf Pen Gap Recreation Area and other destinations in the Ouachita National Forest. For white water adventures they can float the Cossatot River.
Warrington, who bought the land in 1987, said the idea for the trails developed in 2004 after some mountain bikers he knew said it would be good terrain for the sport. They said the area had potential as a racing (especially downhill) destination. He broadened the focus to include hikers and off-road vehicles and the end result is the trail system visitors see today.
Cost for guests to stay and enjoy Ridgeline is $250/day per motor home/travel trailer with five people or less. Warrington said they will also try to accommodate guests who want a shuttle service for a float (the Cossatot put in on Hwy 246 is 4 miles from the trails) and they also provide campground firewood.
Click here for more details on Ridgeline or call (479) 243-3391.
Click here to email travel writer Zoie Clift
The aim of Ridgeline, owner Richard Warrington says, is to "focus on folks who appreciate the quietness and beauty of this special place in the woods."
The trails stand out from others in the state, Warrington says, because they limit the number of guests to a small group of friends or families. "You will have this wooded wonderland to yourself and your small group," he said.
The point of the trails, he says, is to highlight the tranquility of nature. The target, he says, are hikers, bikers or ATV riders who are "into taking in nature at a slow pace, who would relish the peace and solitude found there."
Ridgeline is beyond the power grid and three sites are available for guests to park motor homes or travel trailers. The sites are less than 2 miles from Hwy 246 on National Forest Road 176.
"The focus of the trails is on family and friends," added Warrington. "We want them to share their hiking, biking, or ATV experience where no stranger or unknown person will interrupt their time together in the woods or on the trails."
Once a guest has booked a site, he says, only family or friends they invite have access to the other sites, which provides an intimate and exclusive atmosphere for the entourage.
Also, in case visitors seek more miles of trails, they can head out on the forest road from their site to Wolf Pen Gap Recreation Area and other destinations in the Ouachita National Forest. For white water adventures they can float the Cossatot River.
Warrington, who bought the land in 1987, said the idea for the trails developed in 2004 after some mountain bikers he knew said it would be good terrain for the sport. They said the area had potential as a racing (especially downhill) destination. He broadened the focus to include hikers and off-road vehicles and the end result is the trail system visitors see today.
Cost for guests to stay and enjoy Ridgeline is $250/day per motor home/travel trailer with five people or less. Warrington said they will also try to accommodate guests who want a shuttle service for a float (the Cossatot put in on Hwy 246 is 4 miles from the trails) and they also provide campground firewood.
Click here for more details on Ridgeline or call (479) 243-3391.
Click here to email travel writer Zoie Clift
