The Trail to Big Spring Park

A walking and biking trail connects Ember Shoals Resort directly to Big Spring Park in downtown Cotter. No car, no parking, no fuss. You step off the property and onto the path.

A young girl wearing a helmet and riding a bicycle under a large wooden trestle bridge surrounded by green trees and foliage.

A path worth taking

The trail runs right beside the White River. Water on one side, Ozark hillside on the other. It stays quiet and secluded the whole way.

Most mornings you will have it to yourself, with herons working the shallows and the river moving slow and green beside you.

Where it Leads

The route is flat and easy, suitable for a morning run, an evening stroll, or a casual ride with the family. Bring the bikes. Bring the dog. Bring a cup of coffee and take your time. The river keeps you company the entire stretch.

This is some of the prettiest walking in the area. Bluffs rise across the water. The light comes through the trees early and late. It is the kind of path that makes you slow down and look around.

Map showing the location of Ember Shoals Cotter Arkansas and Big Spring Park at Cotter, with icons indicating campgrounds, a trout cap center, and suggested routes.

Big Spring Park sits at the end of it, on the riverfront in downtown Cotter. The spring itself feeds cold, clear water into the White River. The park has open green space, shade, and easy river access, plus a front-row view of the historic Cotter Bridge. It is one of the best spots in town to spend an afternoon.

Children and adults walking and biking on a gravel trail through a dense, green forest.
A wooden walkway bridge extending over a park with trees and a cloudy sky in the background. There is a basketball hoop, a pathway, and a sign that reads 'Explore Outdoors' nearby.
A lush green forest with a wide pathway. Two people stand with bikes in the middle of the path, engaging in conversation.
Three children holding mountain bikes on a gravel trail surrounded by trees in a forest.