Lake Fayetteville Opens Its Winter Trails for a Solstice Family Hike
The Ozark Natural Science Center takes you on a guided winter hike at Lake Fayetteville where you’ll learn to spot animal tracks and identify trees without their leaves. This solstice hike gets you outside to experience winter nature up close instead of reading about it indoors.
THE DEETS
📅 Saturday, December 20, 2025 | 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
📍 Ozark Natural Science Center at Lake Fayetteville, 599 E Lakeview Dr, Springdale, AR 72764
🎟️ By donation (suggested $10/adult, $5/child 17 and under) | Register here
What You’ll Experience on the Trail
You’ll spend two hours walking through the frosty forest around Lake Fayetteville with ONSC naturalists who know how to make winter ecology come alive. The hike teaches you to identify animal tracks and scat, figure out which trees are which without their leaves, and understand how wildlife makes it through winter. The timing connects to the winter solstice, marking the shortest day of the year as the season begins its shift back toward longer days.
Check-in starts at 8:45 AM with a brief orientation before you hit the trail at 9:00 AM. Bring water, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and dress for December weather. The parking gate opens before 8:45 AM and closes once everyone arrives, so plan to leave when the hike wraps up at 11:00 AM.
Why This Hike Works for Families
Lake Fayetteville’s trails look completely different in winter. The bare trees open up views you’d never see in summer, and the cold keeps the crowds away. You’ll actually see the structure of the landscape without all the leaves in the way.
ONSC has been running outdoor education programs for decades. This hike keeps kids engaged by letting them ask questions and interact with their surroundings while learning real science. The donation-based pricing (suggested $10 per adult, $5 per child) makes it easy for families to get outside without spending much.
All proceeds support ONSC’s research, citizen science, and education programs. Bundle up and spend a December morning learning what the forest has been up to all winter.
