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Homestead

Homestead Trailhead

Here’s the sign at the Homestead Trailhead at the back of the parking lot just off of Shangri-La Road.

Description:

Named for an old homestead nearby, the Homestead trailhead is a takeout point with a parking area.  It is located between the Denby Bay and Tompkins Bend trailheads. Reference the map on our Big Picture page for details.

From the Homestead trailhead starting point, you have three options:

  • You may enter the main Denby Bay to Tompkins Bend trail segment from the west side of the Homestead parking lot. Turn left (south) and continue for 2.9 miles to the Denby Bay trailhead, or,
  • You may turn right onto the Denby Bay to Tompkins bend trail segment and travel about 2 miles to the Tompkins Bend trailhead, or,
  • You may go east across Shangri-La Rd. (see the highway crosswalk signs)  and hike/ride about .3 miles to merge with the Tompkins Bend Trail as it heads toward the Joplin trailhead.

Just across Shangri-La Road from the Homestead parking lot, heading east for the Joplin Trailhead, keep your eyes right about 20 steps into the trail and see the remains of the Old Homestead for which the trailhead is named. A 10 x 20 foot cedar split rail fence surrounds the old root cellar.  To the right of the root cellar and adjacent to Shangri-La Road is the remains of the homestead’s hand dug well.  The homestead dates back to the very late 1800’s.

Surrounding Area:

This trailhead is just off the Shangri-La road, about a mile before arriving at the resort.

Length:

2.9 miles to the Denby Bay trailhead; 2 miles to the Tompkins Bend trailhead.

Difficulty:

Easy, but rocky on the 2 mile section to Tompkins Bend.

Amenities:

There are no amenities at this trailhead.

Directions to Trailhead:

Go east from Mount Ida about 9 miles, or west from Hot Springs about 25 miles, on U.S. Highway 270 to Shangri-La Rd. You can’t miss the Shangri-La Resort sign on 270. Turn north off Highway 270 onto Shangri La Rd. Continue for about 1.5 miles and look for trail signs on the left.

Trailhead parking is on the left side of the road.

Accommodations:

Continue on Shangri-La Road past the Homestead trailhead to Tompkins Bend Campground and Shangri-La Resort and restaurant.

Recent Articles about the Homestead Trail Segment:

A Cold and Rainy LOViT Marathon – Dec. 4, 2016

Lake Ouachita Vista Trail Posted on by

Yesterday, a handful of Traildogs joined with Phillip Carr and Shangri La’s Carr family to help with the annual LOViT Marathon, an out-and-back race traditionally held on the first Saturday in December. The race starts at the LOViT’s ADA Pavilion just off Shangri La Road and follows the Trail 14.1 miles to the turnaround at the Hickory Nut Mountain Trailhead. Phil had expected a record turnout, but the bleak and rainy December morning brought out 76 or so runners for the event, some running the full marathon, while others ran a ½ marathon, catching a shuttle back to the start/stop line from Hickory Nut Mountain. Despite the weather, this is always a great event.

Click to read the full article

The LOViT Is Now Clear and Open – Sept. 8, 2016

Lake Ouachita Vista Trail Posted on by

The clean up of downed trees from the severe windstorm of last July was completed yesterday. Many thanks to a few Traildogs, especially Robert Cavanaugh and Ron Mayfield, and to our good friends on the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Trail Crew.  Over the past couple of months, we cut well over 100 downed trees off of the Trail.  Much of the saga can be read about on the LOViT Facebook Page. The entire LOViT is now open for hiking and biking. Fall is a great time to enjoy the trail.

Click to read the full article

Help Protect the LOViT – A Call To Action

Lake Ouachita Vista Trail Posted on by

Help Protect The LOViT By Making Your Voice Heard The LOViT Traildogs, Friends of Lake Ouachita, and the Lake Ouachita Citizens Focus Committee are seeking user support from all those who hike, bike, or just generally love the LOViT. The United States Forest Service has published an announcement of a proposed “Resource Management Project” (see the link below) that would likely damage the canopy, the tread, and the aesthetic beauty of the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail. We urge each of you read the proposal letter and provide your input to the Womble District Ranger, Shalonda Guy.  Public input is a key element in the planning and execution of all Forest Service proposed projects. In addition to the Project document from the USFS and their map describing the areas in which the proposed burn and timber harvest would take place, we have also attached a sample of letters already submitted regarding the viability of this proposed resource … Click to read the full article

2015 LOViT Marathon Is In The Books …

Lake Ouachita Vista Trail Posted on by

The 2015 LOViT Marathon was run December 5, and by all accounts, it was a successful event. Your LOViT Traildogs supported the event by working at aid stations at both the Joplin and Hickory Nut Mountain Trailheads. Click on the image below to view photographs of the runners who made it to the top of Hickory Nut Mountain, the turnaround point for this out-and-back marathon. Here are the race results:  http://runarkansas.com/results/LOViT2015.htm.  Also, a slide show with many more photos can be found here:  http://runarkansas.com/slideshow/LOViT26_2015/slideshow.php.  Finally, here’s the LOViT Marathon Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LOViTmarathon/. What a great bunch of participants we enjoyed at this aid station.  Great people, great event!

Click to read the full article

Italian Writer Discovers the LOViT – October 22, 2014

Lake Ouachita Vista Trail Posted on by

Traildog Robert Cavanaugh had a great day Wednesday, Oct. 22. Zoie Clift of the Arkansas Parks and Tourism Department asked Robert to lead her and two visitors from Italy on a mountain bike ride on the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail. Carlo is a magazine writer and is working on an article on Arkansas. He is a skier and a mountain biker. His friend, Giuliana, is a road biker. Zoie is a very good rider and is a great friend of the LOViT. We spent the day riding the trail, taking pictures, and then finished it up with a great meal at Shangri-La Resort (and a piece of the best banana crème pie in the known universe). A great ride with some very nice people. Click on the image below to view pictures from their time on the LOViT. Carlo has promised a copy of the article when it’s been published.  … Click to read the full article