Little Mountain Overlook at Jeff Busby

Be realistic about the view. From the paved viewing area you look across rolling forested ridges that fade into haze on a clear day, with reported sightlines of about 20 miles when conditions cooperate. Mature trees have grown up along the rim over the decades and screen much of the historic panorama, so expect framed windows through the canopy rather than one wide-open sweep. There are viewpoints on either side of the parking lot, so walk both ends before deciding you've seen it.

Restrooms and water are down at the campground, not at the overlook itself, so plan accordingly before you drive up.

• An exhibit covering the natural and human history of the area, including how this landscape came to stand higher than its surroundings
• Seating and picnic tables, plus a picnic shelter, making this a good sandwich stop between longer drives
• Auto parking with room for buses and RVs
• A trailhead right at the summit area

The Little Mountain nature trail leaves from here as a half-mile loop, about 30 minutes at an easy pace, dropping off the summit into a shady hollow and back. A half-mile side trail off that loop connects down to the campground, and a longer Little Mountain Trail of roughly 0.8 miles covers the same hill for anyone wanting more time on foot. The loop is the better use of a short visit since the shaded hollow feels completely different from the exposed summit.