Journey Through Time: Kessler Mt. Rock City Geology Hike

🌍 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 3-3 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, Jan. 25th, the back-up date for this event will be the following Saturday, February 1st, at the same time (1-5:00PM).***

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 liz.hill@onsc.us for more information.

  
  

  All proceeds go to support research, citizen science, and education at Ozark Natural Science Center.

About Ozark Natural Science Center 

ONSC offers a unique, immersion-based approach to learning about nature and the natural sciences. Students visit us for authentic science learning experiences that are correlated with national and state science learning standards and provide in-depth education in biology, ecology, geology, social studies, and nature art – all while students have fun hiking and experiencing nature. Camp activities include  hikes, team-building, games, art, and small-group activities.

About the Instructors - Chris Moyer

Chris Moyer, a native of southern New Jersey, earned a B.S. in geology from Arkansas Tech University and an M.S. in geology from the University of Arkansas. With over 25 years of experience in the petroleum industry, he served as a production and exploration geologist for ExxonMobil and Southwestern Energy Company, as well as a geological consultant, working both domestically and internationally. Chris also dedicated more than a decade to teaching geology at Northwest Arkansas Community College. Now retired, he spends his time appreciating the rich culture and natural beauty of Northwest Arkansas and beyond.

Ticket Refund Policy

• Refunds up to 1 week before the event: Tickets are refundable minus any applicable fees (processing, administrative, etc.) until 7 days before the event.

• Refunds within 1 week of the event: For refund requests made less than 7 days prior to the event, a 50% refund will be given.

• No refunds within 24 hours of the event: Refund requests made within 24 hours of the event are not permitted, except in exceptional circumstances and only with approval from ONSC administration.

*Please note that all refund requests must be submitted in writing to jill.bowman@onsc.us. Refunds will be processed within 7-10 business days.

Questions? Please email Education and Community Program Manager, Liz Hill at liz.hill@onsc.us.