Big Creek Natural Area is 1,507 acres in the norhteastern limit of the Arkansas River Valley and includes about 5 miles of the course of Big Creek before it empties into the Little Red River. The area has two hiking trails ideal for wildlife-watching. One highlights the bottoms of an Ozark stream, while the other offers visitors a chance to hike upland trails to an overlook above Big Creek. Both trails are primitive and offer moderate hiking difficulty because of the rugged terrain. The trails are restricted to foot-traffic only.

Big Creek Loop: The first loop begins at the lower corner of the parking lot and is 3/4 miles long.  The trail leads down a steep road to the Big Creek drainage and folows the creek for a short distance before intersecting with Overlook Trail.

Overlook Trail: This loop begins at the parking lot, but turns east along an upland area. The trail follows the bluffs along the creek and is 13/4 miles long. There are some awesome views from overlooks along the creek and unprotected bluffs over vast upland forests.