Arkansas/Ozarks

[Royalfan5 2355]

The wife and I have been kicking around the idea of a late spring/early summer trip down to Lake of the Ozarks/Eureka Springs/Hot Springs or other locations. Probably focus mostly on hiking and such. I’ve canoed the White River years and enjoyed that but I’m probably not getting her in a canoe. Any places that you folks would recommend? 

[Neonmoon 38130]

[harold 81]

There are several rentals around the Ponca area.  Tough to beat the Buffalo National River.  Tons of hike there.  Make sure to hit Whitacre Point and see the elk in Boxley.

We have rented this spot: https://abnb.me/SwrPFKn8nnb .

It’s in a great location to access the Ozark National Forest.  This is a very underrated area of the state.

No matter where you stay make sure to buy this book and bring it with: Arkansas waterfalls guidebook https://www.amazon.com/dp/1882906489/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_MG7WBYX3X17R184Q40NT .  Best time to go is spring.  Hiking and floating to be had everywhere.

make sure to stock up on groceries and booze because all of the places worth staying or going are remote as hell and won’t have much by way of commerce.

Hope this helps.  We try to go at least once a year. 
 

ETA-these are North central AR recs.

Edited February 5, 2022 by harold

[Texzilla58 4745]

I used to canoe the Buffalo back before it gained National River status and it’s was wonderful. It’s still incredibly beautiful but the traffic is certainly higher on the water. If you can talk your bride into even a short half day trip it’s fantastic.

[VirginiaLonghorn 4808]

[scottsins 1995]

If you need a food recommendation, go to Deluca’s.

It’s top five pizza for me, and I’m a total asshole when it comes to pizza. Not sure how or why the owner ended up there from NYC, but the shit is Fucking amazing.

If you want a cool old spot for pie, Shangri-la resort has amazing pies. It’s an old 1960’s hotel on the lake, with a great cafe.

[Al_4_ISU 12535]

There is great hiking in the Ponca area in the Buffalo River wilderness. You can use Eureka Springs as a base of operations. Some good food and drink there. A beautiful, underrated part of the country.

Centerpoint/Goat Trail






Whitaker Point (aka Hawksbill Crag)



Hemmed In Hollow

[GreenspointTexas 9871]

Wife and I did Hawksbill Crag before the Arky game this past season. Easy hike, incredible views. Although the road you have to take to get there is a little tough/sketch

[Al_4_ISU 12535]

Yeah, Hawksbill is a very easy hike. Center point and Hemmed in Hollow have much more elevation gain

[harold 81]

Pams grotto-HC

Native American falls-SG

Haw creek falls-HC

Pack rat falls-HC

Kings bluff-SG

Pedestal rock-SG

Buzzards roost-SG

Six finger falls-SG

Terry Keefe falls-SG

Alum cove natural bridge-SG

Big cave creek falls-SG—wet trails

 

This was our list last spring break.  SG is short for Sand Gap and HC is for Hurricane Creek.  Those were the two places we stayed.  All of these trails were incredible and off the beaten path.  We saw maybe 10 other people maximum at each location.  
 

There is a ton of bang for your buck on Upper Falling Water road that runs along Falling water creek.  It will be labeled at County Road 1205 in Witt County.  If the creeks and rivers are running there are 5-6 cool hikes you can hit in one day there.

[Landomatic 3813]

On 2/5/2022 at 7:47 PM, scottsins said:

If you need a food recommendation, go to Deluca’s.

It’s top five pizza for me, and I’m a total asshole when it comes to pizza. Not sure how or why the owner ended up there from NYC, but the shit is Fucking amazing.

Do you even witness protection program, bro?

[ocugolf 1215]

On 2/5/2022 at 7:47 PM, scottsins said:

If you need a food recommendation, go to Deluca’s.

It’s top five pizza for me, and I’m a total asshole when it comes to pizza. Not sure how or why the owner ended up there from NYC, but the shit is Fucking amazing.

If you want a cool old spot for pie, Shangri-la resort has amazing pies. It’s an old 1960’s hotel on the lake, with a great cafe.

Love DeLuca’s. Also love pounding cheep beer and eating “Chicago Style” and I use that term loosely at Rocky’s Corner. Right across from the race track.

[UTexasFight 9613]

Any recs for winter outdoor activities with Rogers/Bentonville as homebase? Or anything that should be on a holiday itinerary in that area?

 8 and 10 year old will be in tow 

[tigol 2421]

49 minutes ago, UTexasFight said:

Any recs for winter outdoor activities with Rogers/Bentonville as homebase? Or anything that should be on a holiday itinerary in that area?

 8 and 10 year old will be in tow 

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