Take a Trip Back in Time—Deep Time!
Journey with us to the Fayetteville area, long before humans ever set foot here. Join the Ozark Natural Science Center staff and Chris Moyer, retired geologist and NWACC Geology professor, for an exploration of the geologic and natural history of Kessler Mountain!
First, we’ll dive into the foundational concepts of geology, unraveling the mysteries of Earth’s past. Then, we’ll dig deeper into the fascinating geologic history of the Fayetteville area and discover how geology shapes the land around us.
After our classroom discussions and presentations, we’ll lace up our hiking boots and hit the trails! Explore the Rock City and Fayetteville Traverse trails at Kessler Mountain, where stunning outcrops and breathtaking vistas will bring the earlier discussions to life. Witness firsthand how geology sculpts the landscape while learning about the local plants and animals that call this area home.
This gem of a location is not open to the general public, so don’t miss this unique opportunity to hike through the Rock City geologic formations on a guided adventure!
Event Information
Meet at 1 PM at the old Ozark Smokehouse building, now the Kessler Mt. Outdoor Classroom and Nature Center (1725 S. Smokehouse Trail, Fayetteville, AR 72701), for the brief slideshow presentation.
From there, we will hike up the steep, approximately half-mile road to the trailhead, and begin the actual hike.
This fairly easy, roughly 3-mile hike will take approximately 3 hours. There are no steep climbs, once you get up the road to the trailhead!
Please wear comfortable/worn in tennis shoes or boots with a hard sole and bring your own water bottle.
Ticket Information
Adult tickets (18 & up) - $15
Teen tickets (12-17) = $5
This hike is not recommended for children under 12, however exceptions may be made on a case by case basis. Please email
All proceeds go to support research, citizen science, and education at Ozark Natural Science Center.
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