Highlands Chapter Dayhike: Eureka Springs Urban Hike
Day, Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025
Name of Hike: 9th Annual Eureka Springs Urban Hike 2
Location: Downtown Eureka Springs, AR.
Type of Hike: Day-hike on byways, trails, stairways, residential streets, and commercial streets.
Hiking Distance: 5.3 miles.
Elevation Difference: 200 ft three or four times down and up, 600-700 ft total gain
Rating: Moderate, due to undulating terrain, narrow stairways, uneven paved areas, and chance of being hit by motor vehicles at multiple street crossings.
Features: This hike answers the question: “Where else can one go after doing the Highlands Chapter ES Urban Hike 1 multiple times?” Answer: ES Urban Hike 2. This ES Urban Hike 2 takes us on a new trajectory and only overlaps about 20% with the previous ES Urban Hike 1. We’ll hike on both the West and East sides of Main and Spring Streets and stop for lunch at Basin Park (bring sack lunch).
Hike Leader: Luke Parsch (contact hike leader for more info).
Telephone & Email: 479-442-3817 (home landline) or 479-935-0859 (mobile on day of hike) or lparsch@uark.edu
Meeting Place and Time:
- Meet at Root Elementary School, 1529 E Mission Blvd, Fayetteville for car caravanning/carpooling and a 9:15 am departure; or,
- Meet at the parking lot of Eureka Springs Community Center, 44 Kingshighway, Eureka Springs 72632 at 10:30 am.
- Eureka Springs Community Center is across from Best Western Inn of the Ozarks on US Hwy 62
- See Google Map at: Eureka Springs Community Center – Google Maps
- Or, click on “Location” below
Driving Distance: 43 miles from the Fayetteville car caravan to the trailhead parking area at the Eureka Springs Community Center.
Comment 1: Bring water, snack or lunch, rain gear, gloves, and wear hiking boots/shoes. Hiking poles with rubber tips will be helpful. No pets are allowed on any hikes, and children under 12 years are discouraged and must be accompanied by a guardian. Participants are required to sign a “liability release” http://www.ozarksociety.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/OS-Sign-Up_Sheet_rev4.pdf at the trailhead to take part in any Ozark Society outing. Everyone is welcome to hike with the OSHC, whether an Ozark Society member or not. .
Comment 2: Toilets. There are public toilets at the ES Community Center trailhead and there will be two opportunities for a potty stop at public restrooms during the hike.
Comment 3: Apres-hike socializing. For those who are interested, at the end of the hike, we’ll go to The Gravel Bar and Restaurant (walkable from the Community Center) which has a nice, enclosed deck to do some pre-holiday socializing.
