The Ten Essentials You Need for Hiking in the ArkLaTex

Hiking in the ArkLaTex looks a little different than hitting the trails out west. Our weather can change fast, the humidity is no joke, and many of our trails wind through forests, creeks, and rocky terrain. Whether you’re hiking at Cossatot River State Park, the Winding Staircase Trail, or one of my favorite waterfall hikes, there are ten essentials you need for hiking in the ArkLaTex.

These are the ten items every hiker, from beginner to seasoned explorer, should pack for a safe and fun day outdoors, no matter the length of hike. I’ve also linked my favorite versions of each from Amazon and other trusted outdoor brands. If it’s linked, I use it and trust the gear. If you’re hiking with kids, I also have a post that’s all about the ten essentials for families, over on Run Wild My Child. Let’s get started so you can get out there and explore!

This post contains affiliate links.

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Navigation.

Many, if not all, of my favorite places to explore in Arkansas and across the ArkLaTex are remote. In fact, I usually lose cell phone service as soon as I start heading into the mountains and down the forest roads. Cell service can be unpredictable anytime you’re headed off on an adventure so it’s important to have a back up (or two!). I rely on my Zoleo satellite communicator. It connects to my phone via Bluetooth and I am able to text from my phone using the device to connect to satellites. It does require a subscription but it’s worth it to me for peace of mind, especially if I’m hiking solo. I can also send an “all okay, here’s my location” text to my list with the push of a button. Garmin InReach is a similar device.

It’s also a good idea to keep a low tech navigation option so I often (if not always) also carry a compass and a hard copy of a map with me. One more thing I highly recommend is the AllTrails app (with the premium subscription). This app allows you to save offline versions of the map and you can track where you are on the map, allowing you to easily see if you got off track or how far you’ve gone. It’s also fun to use it to track your hikes throughout the year.

Here are my go to items that I carry for the “navigation” part of the ten essentials you need for hiking in the ArkLaTex:

• Zoleo Satellite Communicator
• Koala Phone Tether – sweaty hands make slippery fingers and this phone tether helps so I don’t accidentally drop my phone when snapping selfies or taking photos of flowers or mushrooms.
• A real compass
• Waterproof pouch – for map and phone.

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Hydration.

Water is essential, especially in the summer heat and humidity across this part of the country. I always carry a full hydration bladder (my Camelbak 2L) in my backpack when I’m out adventuring. But, it’s also important that you bring a way to disinfect water from lakes, creeks, rivers or streams if you need to refill while you’re exploring. An important rule: never drink water straight from the wild without filtering or disinfecting it first. While you may not get sick, the risks are too high! I always carry a lightweight way to filter water with me, on every adventure. Here are my favorites for the “hydration” part of the the ten essentials you need for hiking in the ArkLaTex:

• Sawyer Mini Water Filter
• MSR Water Filter – larger capacity water filter for a group.
• LifeStraw

Illumination.

Sometimes, it gets darker faster than you realize. Especially if you’re hiking in the hills and hollers around Arkansas. Or, maybe you get sidetracked and stay too long at a waterfall and the sun fades fast. Either way, it’s always important to have a light source when out exploring. My go to is always a headlamp and I make sure everyone has one of their own in their backpack. Make sure you have them fully charged the night before you head out, or put new batteries in to make sure you’re ready to go. There’s nothing worse than pulling your headlamp out, only to realize it’s out of battery. Ask me how I know this. Here are my go to items for the “illumination” part of the ten essentials you need for hiking in the ArkLaTex:

• Black Diamond Head Lamp
• Biolite Solar Light – hook it to the outside of your pack so it can be exposed to the sun while you hike.
• Collapsible, solar lanterns

I know, this isn’t the ArkLaTex, but it’s the only photo I could find with my headlamp.

Sun Protection.

The sun stays pretty intense around here all year long, so sun protection is always important! In the hot summer months I wear a lightweight sun shirt that helps provide UV protection but still keeps me cool. I also always wear a hat and sunglasses.

A note here for contacts wearers – be sure to bring saline solution, a lens case, and some back up glasses, just in case! You never know if you’ll need to remove your contacts or if they’ll need to be rehydrated from being out in the elements all day. You may also want to bring back up prescription sunglasses if you have them. I order all of mine from Zenni Optical.

Here are my go to items for the “sun protection” part of the ten essentials for hiking in the ArkLaTex:

• Sweat resistant baseball hat
• Tifosi Optics Sunglasses
• Sunbum suncreen
• Sun shirt with a hoodie

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Insulation and Layers.

When it comes to insulation and layers, it can be a matter of personal preference. Generally, for most of the year in the ArkLaTex you’re biggest concern will be being too hot! You won’t want to wear heavy, thick layers at all. Two rules: never wear cotton and never wear jeans. Unless you really want to. I do, however, always hike in pants, all year round. It’s better protection from poison ivy, snakes, fire ants, the five million kinds of wasps, and the thousands of ticks. Things to consider for the “layering” part of the ten essentials you need for hiking in the ArkLaTex:

• Lightweight, breathable hiking pants – my go to pants are the Trekkie series from Athleta (though, I think they were discontinued), the Headlands Hybrid tights from Athleta, the Clamber 2.0 pants from Title Nine, or these on Amazon.
• Layer in this order: undergarments, shorts, pants, tank top, short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, zippered jacket.
• Cold weather hikes – I don’t actually own a winter coat so my go to is to wear wool base layers and my raincoat to stay warm on colder hikes. (linked under the next image).
• An emergency blanket just in case.

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First Aid.

No one ever plans to get hurt. I’ve been very fortunate that I haven’t dealt with any serious injuries on the trail. However, a basic understanding of wilderness First Aid is important! I also always carry a First Aid kit. All the time, no exceptions. Even if we will be close to our car during the adventures, I always have it just in case. Don’t forget to replace whatever you use in the kit so it’s ready for your next outing. Here is what I recommend for the “first aid” portion of the ten essentials you need for hiking in the ArkLaTex:

• Adventure Medical Kits – .7 First Aid Kit

Fire Starter.

Please respect the wild lands rules and regulations when hiking, and abide by any burn bans! When I’m hiking and adventuring, I always carry two methods for starting a fire. My go to is a plasma lighter that can be recharged via USB C port, and the back up is a very low tech option, either a ferro rod (you strike it to create sparks) or waterproof matches. Hopefully, you’ll never need these. But, in a survival situation fire is the second most important item next to shelter. Here are my go to choices for the “fire starter” item on the ten essentials you need for hiking in the ArkLaTex list, listening to the song “Fire starter” by Prodigy is completely optional:

• Plasma lighter
• Traditional lighter
• Waterproof matches
• Ferro Rod – low tech, survival fire starting tool.
• Fire starter + kindling – pro tip: you can make your own by soaking dryer lint in petroleum jelly and taking it along in a small jar or tin.

Repair Kit and Tools.

You never know when you may need a tool while out on the trail. My kids enjoy whittling sticks into sharp and pointy edges using my knife or multi tool when we’re out exploring. I always carry both a multi tool and a knife, or sometimes two knives of different types. Generally, a small multi tool that has a knife tool on it will be sufficient. Also, always carry duct tape. It’s completely versatile and incredibly useful. Here’s my list of items for the “repair kit and tools” part of the ten essentials you need for hiking in the ArkLaTex:

• Duct tape – this is also useful for repairs or other needs. Plus, you can use it to feel like MacGyver in various scenarios.
• Multi-tool
• Utility knife
• Utility knife with serrated section

🔗 Link to this exact knife 🔗

Emergency Shelter.

This is an item that will most likely never be used. However, it’s critical to have. In an emergency situation, shelter is one of the most critical elements. An emergency bivy is a great thing to have on hand. It’s basically a sleeping bag made out of those space blankets. It traps your body heat and can give you a warm place to sleep if needed. I also sometimes carry a lightweight hammock with a bug net, for lounging by a waterfall in the middle of a big hike but also as my “just in case.”

• Emergency Bivy – I make sure that each person I’m hiking has their own (aka, my kids).
• Lightweight hammock with net

Nutrition and Snacks.

The amount of food or snacks you’ll need to bring depends on how long you’ll be out adventuring for. However, this extra nutrition is meant to be an emergency back up. It is also subjective to your personal preferences for food or dietary needs. For me, I have Celiac Disease and am allergic to (among many things) beef and pork. My go to snack is always some type of plant based protein bar that won’t melt in my pack. I throw a few in the bottom for my “just in case” scenario. You don’t need to take tons, because you won’t want to weigh your bag down to much, but I recommend an extra two per person. A note: trail mix is fun but it’s heavy. Here are some my favorite bars:

• Go Macro
• Larabar
• Electrolyte powder – again, just in case.

Hiking in the ArkLaTex: specific tips.

Every area has it’s own unique quirks, just like I believe that every place across the country has some beauty in it. When you’re hiking and exploring in the ArkLaTex there are some things to be aware of. Ticks are one of them. Unfortunately, there are a lot of them and they are out all year round. We routinely check all of our clothing as soon as we get back to the car, brushing off any thing that looks like a tick. Then, once home all of our hiking clothes go directly into the wash and everything else sits in the garage for a day. It’s also very hot for most of the year around here, and I regularly hike with a cooling towel around my neck. Here are links to those specific items:

• 3Moms Organics Tick Repellent
• Tick Remover tool
• Permethrin spray – I don’t use this because I don’t want the chemical on my skin, but it is safe and very effective.
• Cooling towel for your neck – get this wet and wear it around your neck or as a headband on hot days.

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Essential tech.

While these items may not be considered one of the ten essentials, there are a few pieces of tech that I carry with me always as well. One can help keep my phone charged, one can help me navigate, one helps me grab excellent photos, and one is just for funsies. They are:

• Portable charger
• Garmin Instinct watch
• Selfie stick and tripod combo
• Kindle Paperwhite
• For extra fun: an Audible subscription to listen to books on the trail or on the way to the trail.

Why carry the ten essentials?

I hope that you never need them. I’ve been hiking around this area for over ten years, and hiking for twenty years total. Luckily, all that I have ever needed was my First Aid kit. You might never need to use these items. However, a misstep, a missed turn, a broken down car in a remote area, or any other strange turn of events could leave you in a bind. Stay prepared and it just might help you stay alive! That’s why, no matter how short the hike is, I always bring these ten essentials.

The Ultimate Guide to Hiking in the ArkLaTex.

Hiking in the ArkLaTex is full of surprises, from waterfalls you never knew existed to trails that make you forget you’re only a few miles from town. Being prepared and packing these ten essentials will have you ready for whatever comes your way on the trail.

Want my full list of favorite trails across Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma? Here’s my free checklist!

Other adventure guides.

Here are some links to other hiking and adventure guides for the ArkLaTex, written by me:

• Stand up paddle board camping
• Canoe camping on Lake Ouachita
• The best hiking trails in Broken Bow

Looking for more? My Ultimate Hiking Guide to the ArkLaTex is available now! It’s 26 pages with hikes of all types, from family friendly to bucket list adventure hikes. Plus, it has gear tips, packing lists, scavenger hunts for kids, and more. It’s on sale for $14 through the end of November 2025. Get it here.

Thank you.

Thank you for reading this guide to the ten essentials you need for hiking in the ArkLaTex! I hope that it was helpful to you. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to message me on social media or email me at nichole@arklatexadventures.com. I am just one person over here at ArkLaTex Adventures and I work hard to create high quality content to help you live your best life here in the ArkLaTex, whether you’re local or passing through. If you’d like to help support me so I can create these free resources, I have two ways that you can do that. Absolutely no pressure, but if you’d like they’re listed below:

• Buy me a coffee
• Virtual tip jar