Hot Springs National Park
Grand Avenue Trail
FamiliesQuick WalksTrail Connectors
0 mi Distance
20 min Estimated Time
Out & Back Trail Type
What to Expect
Grand Avenue Trail is less a hike and more a quick connector — a short stroll that links Oertel Trail with Grand Avenue through Hot Springs' wooded hillside. The path climbs gently through mixed hardwoods, gaining about fifty feet of elevation at a grade easy enough for a stroller. The canopy provides welcome shade in summer, and the trail surface is accessible enough for wheelchair users, which tells you everything about the terrain: smooth, maintained, and forgiving. You'll catch glimpses of the surrounding Ouachita Mountain foothills through the trees, and in spring the understory puts on a modest wildflower show. This isn't a destination trail — it's a shortcut with charm, perfect for anyone connecting to the longer Oertel Trail loop or just stretching their legs after checking into the motel down the hill.
Trail Details
Estimated Time 20 min
Trail Type Out & Back
Pets Dogs allowed (leash required)
Season Year-round
Trailhead Grand Avenue Trail
Pro Tips
Trail Tip
Use this as your on-ramp to Oertel Trail rather than a standalone walk — it turns a dead-end road into a proper loop through the park's hillside trail network.
Trail Tip
The southern trailhead sits right by a motel, making it an easy pre-breakfast leg-stretcher if you're staying nearby — no driving or parking logistics required.
Trail Tip
Walk it in early morning when the hardwood canopy filters low-angle light through the leaves — the hillside catches that golden Ouachita glow before the day heats up.
Photos
NPS Photo/Mitch Smith
