I visited Ridgeline Trails last October. Below is the article I wrote about the trail system. Enjoy! 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.
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.
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.”
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 at. 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.”
available for guests to park motor homes or travel trailers at. 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.
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 t
he Ouachita National Forest. For white water adventures
they can float the Cossatot River.
head out on the forest road from their site to Wolf Pen Gap Recreation Area and
other destinations in t
he Ouachita National Forest. For white water adventuresthey 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.
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.
Recreation charge for hikers/riders is $50/day. There are no charges for RV/ camping provided there is at least one person in a group who will be riding/hiking. 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. For more details on Ridgeline, check out www.ridgeline-trails.com/ or call
479-243-3391.
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. For more details on Ridgeline, check out www.ridgeline-trails.com/ or call
479-243-3391.
I have ridden these trails for years and this is the pinnacle of ATV rides. It varies from easy ride trails to 180 degree switchbacks that challenge pros. Sometimes you never see another human being for days and the beauty is breathtaking year round.