Natural Arch Scenic Area — Attraction in Somerset

I love hiking and these trails wrap through some beautiful woods where you often can't see anything but forest as far as you look. I only reviewed this as 3 stars because I think the trails could be better suited to visitors to the area.

There were very helpful white diamond markers along the trails but that was about it. A few more signs along the trails indicating where the trail led may have been helpful. We mistakenly hiked the 1 mile trail after hiking the 5 mile trail because we didn't know where to go and turned the wrong way. Also, there were signs at one point on the 5 mile trail that boldly stated “No Trespassing" but had written lightly underneath "Hikers OK" in marker that had worn off - these unclear signs almost caused us to take another wrong turn.

If I had to revise the trail directions online, I would change them to say:

Follow Natural Arch Loop Trail #510 from the parking area past the overlooks, down the steps, and through Natural Arch. At the fork in the trail, take the right fork. The trail will descend from the cliffline to Spruce Creek. You will cross Spruce Creek and then come to Forest Service Road 5266. Follow the road to a low water crossing. Less than 100 yards after crossing Cooper Creek, you will come to a road junction. (No Trespassing signs shortly after this junction – when you get closer you will see these no trespassing signs are for motor vehicles.) Follow the road and diamond-shaped trail markers for about a mile. The trail will then leave the road and cross Cooper Creek again. The trail will follow Gulf Fork and Cutoff Branch back to the junction with Natural Arch Loop Trail #510 at the base of the stairs. Follow Trail #510 up these stairs and when at a fork where you can go on a concrete path to your left or continue following the trail to your right, turn left, where you will see the amphitheater after a few minutes of walking.

I would only recommend this 5 mile trail to individuals hoping to get in a good workout. If you are looking to have a more leisurely time, the one mile trail is quick and very scenic.

Lastly, don't forget your bug spray! We forgot ours but had gone in the spring so didn't come out with a bunch of bites but there were lots of little irritating bugs and we did...

Decent amount of parking for cars and a few spots for RVs and such. The access to get a look at the Natural Arch is very good; a relatively short distance down sidewalks gets a person very close to a viewing area. If a person was able to walk down and then back up a steep incline then they can get a much closer view. I walked the Buffalo Canyon trail, which is a loop starting near and finishing near the Arch. I would only recommend the Buffalo Canyon trail to the hardiest of souls. First part of the trail was narrow, with quite a few loose rocks covered with leaves. After the trail drops down a hiker gets to cross multiple streams with no improvements at any of the crossings. Near the back of the trail (the farthest away from the arch) there are 2 small river/large creek crossings; I removed my boots and socks and rolled up my pants to cross. I imagine it would be enjoyable to cross barefoot in the heat of summer, I did not enjoy my December crossing. In between the two small river/large creek crossings the trail was used by 4 wheelers regularly, and the vehicles created multiple large mudholes right in the middle of the trail that I had to leave the trail to pass. After crossing the second small river/large creek the trail doglegs to the south and it is very nice uphill walk. I describe these challenges for those souls that are not looking for that level of adventure.

There are many beautiful locations at nearly every stream; and the streams are audible quite often through the trip. I also enjoyed a lot of the rock formations that are on both sides of the trail in the first portion. I live close by and will probably give it another go when it...

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly The Good: The Natural Arch indeed is a wonder to behold and to be grateful for all the beauty our good Lord has given us to marvel about. Trail 510 which leads up to the Arch and around measures only about 1 mile from the parking lot and is beautiful and exciting. It does cover some elevation though and has about 150 serious steps to overcome. The Bad: Trail 508, or The Buffalo Canyon Trail, is about 5 miles long and loops around in a wide berth. I ventured out to take it. After about half a mile I started to encounter trees of varying sizes being down and laying over the trail. I always found a way climbing over, ducking underneath or going around them which brought with it the possibility of touching poison ivy or poison oak. I was lucky as I did not. After about 1 mile - by now I was walking parallel to the dried out creek bed - a tree, closing off the trail completely once again, was so big that I did not see a possibility to get around it without much loss of time and energy. I even tried to take said creek bed but gave up quickly and turned around, frustrated. The Ugly: 508 should be closed off until it gets cleaned up. It is not hikable. There is NO mentioning of this anywhere in the park. That is ridiculous and careless, to say the...