John & Mildred Cooper Nature Preserve (Part 1)

Don’t Over-Think It: Dragging Your Feet To Retirement

Let’s take a hike through a portion of the John & Mildred Cooper Nature Preserve.

The John & Mildred Cooper Nature Preserve is a scenic, 440-acre wilderness area tucked away off Rocoso Drive in Hot Springs Village. Named after the Village’s founders and owned by The Nature Conservancy, the preserve offers a more rugged, “back-to-nature” experience compared to the community’s paved paths, featuring over 3 miles of natural-surfaced trails. Hikers can explore three distinct interconnected routes—the Saline River Trail, Cooper Trail, and the popular Piney Woods Loop—which meander through lush forests and offer peaceful views of the Middle Fork of the Saline River. It is a favored destination for birdwatchers and those seeking a quiet, moderately challenging trek through the Ouachita Mountain foothills, though visitors should come prepared for unpaved terrain and seasonal mud after heavy rains.

Today’s conversation was sparked by the umpteenth time a couple told me, “We should have done this much sooner!”

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