Hike At Cherokee Prairie Natural Area (TR)
Hike | Registration opens Sunday, August 16, 2026 2:00 PM
Discover the beauty and ecological significance of one of Arkansas’s last remaining tallgrass prairies on this guided hike through Cherokee Prairie Natural Area. Located just north of Charleston, this remarkable landscape offers a glimpse of the once-expansive Cherokee Prairie that covers western Arkansas. Participants will be joined by ANHC botanist Ben Benton, exploring native plants and learning about the ecosystem that supports rare and endangered species. As you walk through the prairie’s shifting colors and textures, you’ll also experience the importance of Prairie Creek, which winds through the area and sustains a rich variety of wildlife.
Participants should wear comfortable clothing and shoes and bring water, a bag lunch, and a hiking stick if needed. Meeting information and other details will be sent in the program reminder.
Activity Level: 2
This option is the Transportation Rate (TR) option.
This program meets in person. Transportation is provided in this selection. Group participants will meet at the designated area and ride a van together to the destination. Meeting details (location & time) will be sent to participants in the program reminder.
The OLLI Headquarters (HQ) is located at 481 S. Shiloh Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72704. Please read your class reminder email for the exact room location.
Class changes occasionally happen; please watch for (and read) announcements or emails from OLLI regarding your class.
Click on the link below for a Google map shot of our location:
OLLI HQ
Josh Raney
Josh serves as the director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. His passion for the outdoors and recreational activities keeps him busy hiking, canoeing, camping, biking and much more. He has been leading OLLI hikes since 2016 and has thoroughly enjoyed time on the trail with the OLLI hikers. One of his favorite activities is seeking out natural waterfalls that spring to life during time of high rainfall and finding overlooks that offer amazing views. Some of his favorite hiking experiences were in Costa Rica, Rocky Mountain National Park and northern Arizona. Josh also enjoys photography and capturing images of nature.