2025 Fall Tea Kettle Falls Bushwhacking Adventure Hike
Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 12:30PM–5:00PM
Kessler Mountain Nature Center & Outdoor Classroom | 1725 Smoke House Trail, Fayetteville, AR
Tickets: $10-25
Journey with us to the Fayetteville area, long before humans ever set foot here. Join Ozark Natural Science Center staff, Chris Moyer (retired geologist) and Mac McGilvery (Adjunct Professor in the Geosciences Dept. at the U of A) 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!
What to expect
This fairly easy, roughly 3-mile hike will take approximately 3-3 and a half 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.
In the case of inclement winter weather on Saturday, December 6, the back-up date for this event will be the following Saturday, December 13, at the same time (1-5:00PM).
Schedule
12:30pm - 1:00pm: Check in at Kessler Mt. Nature Center & Outdoor Classroom (old Ozark Smokehouse building)
1:00pm - 1:45pm: Geology Slideshow Presentation (in Nature Center/Meeting Room)
1:45pm - 5:00pm: Hike to Rock City & Back
Ticket Information
Adult tickets (18 & up) - $25
Teen tickets (12-17) = $10
Senior tickets (65+) = $15
This hike is not recommended for children under 12, however exceptions may be made on a case by case basis. Please email breana.patterson@onsc.us for more information.
All proceeds go to support research, community science, and education at Ozark Natural Science Center.