Ozarks adventure: mountain culture and outdoor recreation thrive in the rugged hills of northern Arkansas - Brief Article

Travel America, July-August, 2002 by Jason Crader

Stretching across the upper third of the state, the Ozarks have something to offer all who choose to explore it. You can canoe in our nation's first national river, hike through miles of untouched wilderness, or explore a cave.

A good starting point for your travels is Eureka Springs. From here, you are within a couple hours of all the major attractions in the Ozarks. While in the city, you can experience block after block of history. In fact, the whole downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A great way to spend an afternoon is by browsing through all the shops that sell unique Ozark gifts.

After spending some time in Eureka Springs, outdoor adventure awaits just to the south. Historic in its own right, the Buffalo National River creeps through the heart of the Ozarks. Since 1972, when it became America's first designated national river, thousands of people have enjoyed it. If you've never canoed before, this is a great stream to start on. You don't even need your own craft. There are outfitters located along many stretches of the river that provide rentals. On the river, you'll see limestone bluffs, whitewater rapids, and numerous gravel bars that make great picnic sites. The waterway makes an excellent swimming hole.

Besides swimming and canoeing, there are many hiking trails near the Buffalo National River. Some hikes are long and others short, so you can pick a trail that fits in with your schedule. If you choose to go hiking, you will realize why Arkansas is called the Natural State. Pristine waterfalls, towering cliffs, ancient rock formations, and beautiful overlooks are just a few of the wonders you will see.

After a day of floating and hiking, even the most adventurous traveler will need a break. A great way to recharge your batteries and get a taste of Ozark life from the past is by visiting the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View. Artisans demonstrate over 20 different crafts, from candles to glass. You can take a part of the Ozarks with you at the Homespun Gift Shop on your way out. No trip to the Folk Center would be complete without attending one of the live music performances during the summer. Sweet sounds from fiddles, banjos, mandolins, and dulcimers fill the night air with unique sounds that echo the Ozarks of long ago.

An inviting place to cool off can be found 15 miles northwest of the Ozark Folk Center. Blanchard Springs Caverns, near the town of Fifty-Six, is the state's most well-known show cave. No matter how hot or cold it gets outside, the cave stays a cool 58 degrees year-round. There are three guided tours, varying in difficulty, to different parts of the cave. The easiest and most traveled tour is the Dripstone Trail. It is reached by a 216-foot elevator descent and travels through two large rooms filled with a variety of formations--stalactites, stalagmites, columns, soda straws. The second, more strenuous, tour offered is the Discovery Trail, which follows the path of the first explorers under the natural entrance of the cave. It travels along the cave's stream and through several rooms decorated with intriguing formations. The third and final tour offered is the Wild Cave Tour. Just like the name implies, it threads passageways that have not been renovated for the public.

A good way to cap off an Ozarks trip is with a visit to the twin lakes region near Mountain Home. The two lakes, Bull Shoals Lake and Lake Norfork, cover over 1,500 miles of shoreline. Bull Shoals, the larger of the lakes, is known for its bass fishing. It measures over 70,000 acres and is regulated by one of the country's largest concrete dams. Bull Shoals feeds one of the nation's best trout streams, the White River, and supports 17 Corps of Army Engineers parks. It's also a fine place to swim, waterski, sail, and scuba dive.

Lake Norfork, about half the size of Bull Shoals, abounds with striped bass. Marinas have everything you need for a perfect day on the water, so having your own gear is not essential.

From antiquing to water sports, there is something for all to enjoy in the Arkansas Ozarks.

For a free Arkansas vacation planning kit, call the Arkansas Department of Tourism at (800) NATURAL or visit their website at www.arkansas.com. Other websites: www.arkansastravel.com and www.ozarkmountainregion.com.