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The Nature of The Natural State
Arkansas is Rich in Outdoor Recreation Possibilities
Arkansas's gorgeous scenery has earned the state a well-deserved reputation as an outdoor enthusiast's Shangri-la. And there's no wonder why. Home to 600,000 acres of lakes, more than 9,000 miles of crystal-clear streams and rivers, two major mountain ranges, and 52 state parks, Arkansas has something for everyone. Whether you seek tranquility, adventure or something in between, you'll find it all in Arkansas.
Hit the Links
Arkansas's mild climate provides for year-round golf, with more than 200 courses from which to choose. Check out page 67 for a sample of some of the state's best public and semiprivate courses on the Natural State Golf Trail.
On mountain trails or secluded, scenic roads, biking is one of the best ways to get outdoors and see the beauty of Arkansas. Routes of varying degrees of difficulty are spread all across the state. Challenge the hills of the Ozarks or pedal across the entire state on rural roads that take you from one neat town to the next.
As a testament to the state's commitment to biking, a $9.2 million pedestrian-bicycle bridge was recently completed in Little Rock. Dubbed the Big Dam Bridge (it stands over Murray Lock and Dam), it is the second-longest bridge of its type built in the country and serves a vital link in the Arkansas River Trail, a 14-mile trail stretching from downtown Little Rock to Pinnacle Mountain State Park on the southern shore and from downtown North Little Rock to Cook's Landing on the northern shore.
The Arkansas River Trail winds through wildlife habitats for scissortail flycatchers, groundhogs, quail and great blue herons. For those with physical disabilities, the river trail is also handicapped accessible, providing visitors with an opportunity to safely exercise and enjoy the great outdoors in a comfortable setting.
Visit the Department of Parks and Tourism online at Arkansas.com, which catalogs hundreds of miles of biking routes along with all the helpful information you need to plan your trip.
Float a Stream
Roughly 150 miles long, the Buffalo National River has the distinction of being the nation's first national river. Originating in the Boston Mountains, the river flows past sky-high bluffs, caves, waterfalls and canyons. Canoeing is possible all year on the Buffalo River except in the upper reaches, where it's limited to the winter and spring months. For more information, call (870) 741-5443.
The Big Piney Creek ranks among the best streams for floating in the state. The clear mountain stream has numerous rapids, and floaters will pass an assortment of boulders — some house-sized — that have toppled into the creek.
The Mulberry River originates in the Ozark Mountains near Fallsville and has a reputation as one of the most challenging rivers for white-water rafting. Traditional floating months are late fall to June, but conditions vary according to local rainfall. For current conditions, call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' river level recording at (501) 324-5150.
The National Park Service describes the Cossatot River as "probably the most challenging" white-water float in the state, something the early Native Americans knew when they named it Cossatot, or "skull crusher." Much of the river's white water is not recommended for the inexperienced canoeist, and experienced river-runners should always check water levels in advance.
Without a doubt, Arkansas is a fisherman's paradise. The state has some of the finest lakes in the country and boasts more than 150 miles of trout-filled streams. The White, Little Red, North Fork and Spring rivers are the state's best-known trout sites, with more than 2.5 million trout stocked annually. The tail waters below Norfork Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Beaver Lake and Greers Ferry Lake provide top action for rainbows and browns.
Norfork Lake has a reputation for great bass, catfish, stripers and crappie action, and nearby North Fork River is an excellent fly-fishing stream.
Greers Ferry Lake, stretching from Clinton to Heber Springs, is well-known for its white bass, largemouth, stripers, catfish and crappie.
Lake Ouachita, near Hot Springs, is known for its monster stripers, lunker bass, walleye and crappie, while Beaver Lake in northwest Arkansas teems with striped, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, and catfish.
Like most states, Arkansas has specific requirements for fishing, so contact the state's Game and Fish Commission at (501) 223-6300, or visit its Web site at Agfc.com.
Pursue Wild Game
Hunting is a way of life for many Arkansans. White-tailed deer remain the state's No. 1 big game animal, and seasons are set for archery, muzzleloaders and modern guns. Waterfowl hunting is prime along the famous Mississippi Flyway of eastern Arkansas. Wild turkey and small game are abundant in Arkansas. Several wildlife management areas can be found in The Natural State containing thousands of acres for hunting and recreation, including the 65,000-acre Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge near El Dorado. The Felsenthal Refuge is home to thousands of migrant and resident waterfowl - perfect for fishing and hunting.
If you want to relax in the outdoors, Arkansas has more than 250 hiking trails scattered in the state's Corps of Engineers recreation areas and national and state parks. For extended backpacking excursions, visit the Ozark Highlands National Recreation Trail, a 165-mile trail, or the challenging Ouachita National Recreation Trail. For information about the Ozark trail, call (501) 968-2354, and for the Ouachita trail, call (501) 321-5202.
Nestled between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains in west-central Arkansas, Petit Jean Mountain State Park offers some of the best hiking around and a 20-mile interconnected trail system. Hikers at Petit Jean will also see Cedar Falls, a spectacular 95-foot waterfall.
In northwest Arkansas, Devil's Den State Park boasts 20 miles of hiking trails that weave over, under, around and through the Ozark Mountains. Explore Devil's Den Cave, hike to Yellow Rock Overlook, identify wildflowers along the Woody Plant Trail, stop and get your feet wet while you rest along the Lee Creek Trail, or go on a backpacking adventure along the 15-mile Butterfield Hiking Trail.
Vacation in one of Arkansas's 52 state parks, and you'll see that the recreational opportunities are endless. State parks include romantic cabin getaways, gorgeous lakes, archeological sites, campgrounds and more.
Mount Magazine State Park near Paris puts visitors atop Arkansas's tallest peak. Mount Magazine rises 2,753 feet above the Arkansas River Valley, allowing guests to enjoy vistas of the broad river valley, the surrounding Ozark National Forest and the distant mountaintops of Petit Jean and Mount Nebo.
Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro provides a one-of-a-kind adventure. Visitors can scour a 36-acre field, the world's only diamond site where visitors can prospect for and keep any gems they find.
Take the Long Way There
Autumn’s colors and spring’s blossoms draw sightseers by the carloads for scenic drives across Arkansas. Here’s a look at a few popular routes:
- Scenic Byway 7 takes travelers from the Louisiana state line through the piney woods of south Arkansas, the eastern Ouachita Mountains, across the Arkansas River Valley and through the Ozark Mountains to Bull Shoals Lake on the Missouri border.
- State Highways 27, 23, 21 and 5 are other popular north-south sightseeing venues in the Ozarks. Popular east-west routes crossing the Ozarks include state Highway 14, which begins in the Delta and ends at Table Rock Lake, and state Highway 16 from Searcy to Siloam Springs. Heading east out of Fayetteville before turning south, state Highways 16 and 23 combine to form the winding Pig Trail Scenic Byway. U.S. Highway 71 and Interstate 540 form the Boston Mountain Scenic Loop.
- Crowley’s Ridge Parkway — a National Scenic Byway — runs roughly the length of its namesake, Crowley’s Ridge. It begins in the northeast corner of the state at St. Francis and continues to its southernmost point at Helena—West Helena.
- Great River Road, also a National Scenic Byway, winds through the eastern part of the state. The route runs from Blytheville in the northeast to Eudora in the southeast.
- Interstate 530 runs south between Little Rock and Pine Bluff and offers brilliant colors in the spring and fall.
- Talimena Scenic Drive winds for 54 miles along the crest of Rich Mountain and Winding Stair Mountain in the Ouachita National Forest. One breathtaking panorama follows another on this scenic byway between Mena and Talihina, Okla.
Where to Look
The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism publishes helpful guides full of information about the state. The free publications listed below can be obtained by calling Parks and Tourism at (800) NATURAL, or Arkansas State Parks at (888) AT-PARKS. Helpful Web sites include Arkansas.com, Arkansasstateparks.com and Naturalstategolftrail.com.
"Arkansas Calendar of Events" lists festivals, fairs, concerts and other events.
"Arkansas State Parks" includes fees and amenities for all the parks.
"Arkansas Tour Guide" lists attractions broken down into six regions; it also includes special sections on history and heritage, golf, antiquing, family fun, and arts and entertainment.
"Arkansas Adventure Guide" includes detailed floating information and a list of outfitters for 18 major rivers and streams; all federal and state campgrounds; backcountry driving routes; and in-depth information on state and federal hiking trails.
"Arkansas Fishing Guide" has complete information for fishing enthusiasts.
For information about other activities, here are some good places to start:
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
(501) 223-6300, Agfc.com
Arkansas State Golf Association
(501) 455-2742, Asga.org
Arkansas Tennis Association
(501) 227-7611, Arktennis.com
Bike Arkansas, Bikearkansas.com
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