The Cove Lake Recreation Area south of Paris AR and north of Mount Magazine is the locus of 3 trails – The Cove Lake, CCC, and Mount Magazine Trails. There is a campground, including some cabins, and a launch area for small boats. The area is managed by US Forest Service.
Trails
The Cove Lake Trail is 2.8 or 3.7 miles, depending on whether you take the longer route via Lookout Window, and goes most of the way around the lake. Main parking area and trail head is at 35.2331°N, 93.6287°W. The other end is at the boat ramp (about 35.2275°N, 93.6253°W) with a 0.65 mile road-walk in between. The trail around the east end of the lake is in a low area with many creeks. All but the smallest step-overs are spanned by bridges or walkways so there’s probably little risk of wet feet. At the Cove Creek inlet there are some trees that I think must be Cypress.
The CCC Trail begins on a camp road at 35.2246°N, 93.6248°W. There is no parking right at the trail head. The trail is about 0.9 miles one way and climbs about 350′. The upper end is on FR-1628A east of Corley and is probably not very accessible, with no parking except in the weeds alongside a crude road. During a Feb ’24 visit, the CCC Trail had numerous large obstuctions.
The Mount Magazine Trail runs about 10.5 miles from the northwest corner of the Rec Area to the Cameron Bluff campground atop Mount Magazine. Details on the linked page.
Map
This area is covered on the same map as the Mt Magazine Trail.
Photos
Last review/update: Oct 28 2025
The Compulsive Hiker 