If you enjoy hiking, you're in luck! Closest to the cabin is "tilting rock" that leads to the Lower Buffalo River Wilderness Area. Go 1/4 mile past cabin and turn right on Big Creek Rd. Go approx. 3/4 mile to the end of this road where you will find a parking area (turnaround). Along the way, you will be treated to spectacular views of the Buffalo River. At the turnaround is Park Service signage with a map. Walk down the old road and just past the cable is "tilting rock." Walk out on it and you will understand its name. From the cable, follow the old road (horse trail) down to Big Creek. You can explore the abandoned settlements of Little Egypt and Hepsey, Cold Springs Schoolhouse and the lower Buffalo River. From there, you can walk to Middle Creek and the 16,652 acre Leatherwood Wilderness Area.
Two miles past the cabin is the Duck’s Head area of the Buffalo River. Go past the turn off on Big Creek Road and then past Elm Springs cemetery to the end of the road. Again you will see Park Service signage. From there, you can explore Silver Hollow (and its abandoned zinc and silver mines), Lonely Hollow, Ludlow Gap, Devil’s Tea Table, Jones Bend and Flying Rock are just a few of the points of interest you will find in this area. If you hike into Silver Hollow, you arrive across the Buffalo River from the mining town of Rush.
WARNING: When hiking these areas of the Lower Buffalo Wilderness, be sure to have a good map and/or GPS and know how to use them. The trails are not marked (you're in wilderness) and it is easy to get lost (like I've done often). Be prepared and take supplies (extra clothing, water, navigation equipment, a lighter, first aid kit, etc.)!
Just a few miles away is the incredible Buffalo River Trail (BRT) connecting Maumee and Dillard’s Ferry (Highway 14 Bridge). This 12 mile trail offers spectacular views of the river. It is truly one of the best hikes in Arkansas. The nearest access point is at Spring Creek access. Go back to Highway 14, turn right and in 1/4 mile turn left towards Spring Creek access. When you reach the park service boundary, you will see the trailhead. This is the midpoint between Dillard's Ferry and South Maumee.
A little further away is the Indian Rockhouse trail at Buffalo Point. There are other trails in this Park (the oldest developed Park area on the Buffalo River). Further still are various trails at the abandoned mining town Rush (once the second largest town in Arkansas!). Seeing this historic area is worth the short drive.
If you are willing to drive a little further the Sylamore section of the Ozark Highlands Trail crosses Push Mountain Road (State Highway 341) just east of Big Flat, Arkansas (approx. 20 miles from cabin). Take Highway 14 to Harriet then to Big Flat. A few miles past Big Flat turn left on Highway 341 and go 2 miles to Rand Rd. Just before Rand Rd. you will see the Moccasin Springs access point. To get to Spring Creek trailhead, turn left on Rand Rd. You will see signs to the trailhead. From Spring Creek trailhead to Matney Knob on the White River is nearly 32 miles of spectacular hiking. There are numerous waterfalls in this area as well. Check out Tim Ernst's "Arkansas Waterfalls Guidebook" for directions to the many nearby waterfalls. There are several that are a short hike from Rand Rd. and two (Dewey Canyon and Tassel Springs) just off Highway 341.
A few miles further is the Sylamore Trail which covers 24 miles from Allison to Cripple Turkey Road. It follows the North Sylamore Creek (a national wild and scenic river) through Blanchard Springs, Gunner Pool and Barkshed Recreation Area in the Sylamore National Forest. This is one of the most popular trails in the state and well worth the time it takes to drive to it.