On a small lake near Heber Springs there’s an interesting phenomenon that takes place every year. More than a hundred Trumpeter Swans migrate to Magness Lake from their habitat in the northern most sections of the country. The tour section of Hurricane River Cave near Harrison is also explored –(previously on EA the “wild cave” section was featured).
Hiking is the theme of this episode - first on the Buffalo National River TraiLake Unique sandstone columns, resembling huge pedestals are explored at the Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area near Pelsor, as well as Richland Falls and Twin Falls at the Richland Creek Wilderness Area in the Ozark
With a name like "Glory Hole", you know it's got to be awesome ! It's one of many secluded and spectacular waterfalls in the Ozarks. The Wolf Pen Gap ATV Complex in the Ouachita National Forest south of Mena is one of the more popular of its kind, attracting 10,000 users annually from a four state area. The Lake Ouachita Vista Trail near Mount Ida, when completed will contain some 40 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails along the shores of Lake Ouachita.
The cave and crevice area are explored at Devil's Den State Park-the largest such area in the country. We'll then hop aboard old No. 844 - the last steam locomotive delivered to Union Pacific Railroad in 1944. 21st Century treasure hunting known as geocaching is also explored.
We'll explore the depths of Lake Ouachita through a program offered by the Arkansas Game and Fish CommissioNorth Then, it's off on a trek to the highest point in the state atop Mount Magazine in west Arkansas. The episode concludes with riding, roping and "punching doggies" at a dude ranch near Mountain Home.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, Elephant Sanctuary, Copperhead Cave Lions and tigers and bears! Plus elephants! Two popular animal sanctuaries in the Natural State are explored-near Eureka Springs and near Guy. Then it's off to an underground adventure in a wild cave in the Buffalo National River region.
The Homestead Act of 1862 gave many families a chance to acquire land and begin a new life in the Ozarks. The Collier family from Kentucky settled near the Buffalo National River, as many did. The restored homestead gives those of us in the 21st century a look at the way life once was in this part of the country. Exploring a Native American bluff shelter at Buffalo Point is also on tap, as well as trout fly fishing on the Spring River near Hardy.
The B 17 "Flying Fortress" was one of the most famous planes ever built. The legacy it left behind is unmatched in aviation history. We'll take you flying in one and talk to some of the men who flew the plane during World War II. The "Winding Stairs" area along the Little Missouri River Trail is the most popular trail in the Ouachitas-and we'll show you why. This episode concludes with the U.S. Championship of Champions Regatta on Lake Maumelle.
Canoeing down Bayou DeView near Brinkley provides a wonderful adventure viewing cypress trees estimated to be 450 to 1200 years old. The Womble Trail near Mt. Ida in the Ouachita National Forest offers some of the best mountain biking opportunities in the entire mid South. Lake Chicot in the southeast corner of the state is the perfect place to experience the Mississippi Delta region-especially with a sunset swamp tour.
Hot-air balloon races; the ivory-billed woodpecker; Buffalo National River; fly-fishing for trout on Spring River; an elephant sanctuary; the Ozark's waterfalls; trumpeter swans.
One of the gems of the Ozarks is in the Buffalo National River Region – Lost Valley – offering unique features found nowhere else. The other popular trails at Petit Jean Mountain State Park are the ones that lead to a Native American rock shelter and the sandstone/crevice area to Bear Cave. The old riverport town of Jacksonport is explored near Newport, along with the last paddlewheeler to travel the White River – Mary Woods No.2.
It's one of the oldest and largest quartz crystal mines in Arkansas - the Coleman Quartz Mine north of Hot Springs - and it's where you and I can dig for our own treasure. White Oak Lake State Park near Prescott offers abundant wildlife and hiking within the boundaries of the state's only state forest. A new look at the unique geological formation known as Crowley's Ridge in eastern Arkansas can be explored at the Crowley's Ridge Nature Center in Jonesboro. Episode concludes with a drive along Crowley's Ridge Parkway.
The Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area in the Ozark National Forest northeast of Clarksville offers, waterfalls, cascades and towering bluffs. Seven Devils Swamp near Monticello may sound eerie, but it's a picturesque example of the original habitat that existed in the Delta. The Tanyard Creek Nature Trail in Bella Vista offers a wilderness experience complete with a waterfall right in the city limits.
Wildcaving in Arkansas' largest cave - Beauty Cave in the Buffalo National River area. The state's largest tree happens to be in the White River National Wildlife Refuge at St. Charles. We'll close it out with a rafting expedition on the Big Piney north of Russellville.
The Owens and Ricketts mountain areas south of Jasper near Cowell, offer some of the most spectacular rock formations in the state. Centuries old pictographs are also located here, which were drawn by prehistoric Native Americans. Kayak touring is becoming more and more popular, and a kayak excursion on Cane Creek Lake near Star City has an added attraction-giant water lily blooms. The Kings River Falls Natural Area in the Ozark National Forest is one of those pristine secrets of the Natural State. The beauty along this clear mountain stream really is something to behold.
Named after a whale and not the Arkansas Razorbacks-the submarine called the "Razorback" is quite an enlightening experience into the "silent service" of WW II. Tours of it are provided daily at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum at n Little Rock. Our tour is with a crewmember who knew the sub all too well. The B 17 "Flying Fortress" was one of the most famous planes ever built. The legacy it left behind is unmatched in aviation history. The so called amphibian duck boats were used in most of the major battles during WW II, including D Day. They now serve as tourist attraction rides in quite a few cities, including Hot Springs. The duck boats' transformation from a military vehicle to a tourist ride, is quite the story.
The Nature Conservancy's newest preserve south of Boxley in northwest Arkansas is a haven for endangered bats and other wildlife. We'll take you on a hike through a portion of the 1200 acre tract. A wild cave tour at Cosmic Cavern near Berryville includes two underground lakes, the bottoms of which have never been found. A unique trail in Pine Bluff takes hikers along the world's longest bayou-Bayou Bartholomew, which stretches all the way into Louisiana.
Fern Gully northeast of Ft. Smith is one of the many "special interest" areas that can be found throughout the Ozark National Forest. The many bluff features and ferns make this a unique area. Rock Creek Natural Area is actually within the Spring River Wildlife Management Area south of Hardy.Under the protection of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, here you'll find one of the clearest streams in the Ozarks, which leads to Bubbling Spring. Robe Bayou in the Dagmar Wildlife Management Area near Brinkley, offers both-a scenic auto tour and a canoe route, either one which will give you a wonderful experience of this pristine and picturesque setting.
Unique rock formations resembling huge molars, crevices and a natural bridge are all what await you at a place known as Buzzard Roost in the Ozark National Forest near Pelsor The history of Round Top Mountain south of Jasper is quite intriguing, especially what happened there in 1948. The Winona Forest Drive in the Ouachita National Forest in west central Arkansas is referred to as the "Grandaddy Auto Tour of the Ouachitas."
The Talimena National Scenic Byway offers some of the most breathtaking sights of the Ouachitas near Mena. War Eagle Mill near Rogers is a storybook setting that takes you back in time - "…down by the old mill stream." It's been referred to as "The Land That Time Forgot"-an extremely remote area deep in the Ozark National Forest that's called the Devil's Eyebrow.
The Stack Rock Special Interest Area in the Ozark National Forest near Witts Spring is known for its geologic and scenic qualities. Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge situated along the Mississippi Flyway in east Arkansas has been referred to as a "wetland paradise in a sea of agriculture." The Historic Van Winkle Trail is featured at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, which is actually Arkansas' largest state park near Rogers.
After being closed for quite a number of years, Lake Fort Smith State Park has reopened bigger and better than ever near Mountainburg in northwest Arkansas. We'll take you on a kayak tour of this 1490 acre reservoiRiver Mystic Caverns south of Harrison offers two caverns only 400 feet apart from one another-the other is Crystal Dome Cavern The only Federally protected ghost town in the country is Rush, in the lower portion of the Buffalo National River region.
It's been called the most spectacular bluff line in all of the Ozarks-Home Valley Bluff near Nail-you'll see why in this episode. The cradle of Arkansas history is also explored at Arkansas Post near Gillette. Trumpeter Swans and snow geese at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge near Russellville display their grace and beauty in the third segment.
The Sweden Creek Falls Natural Area is one of many that's protected by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission Hole In The Rock Falls and Azalea Falls are also featured. Boxley Valley Scenic Drive offers a wonderful experience with elk, plus Arkansas heritage and history. A kayaking excursion at Lake Ouachita State Park provides a unique up close look at bald eagles.
This episode begins by exploring the heavens with the Arkansas Oklahoma Astronomical Society at the Coleman Observatory northwest of Van Buren Then it's off to the east fork of the Little Buffalo for some whitewater kayaking adventure. Episode closes out with a wild cave venture into Uno Cave west of Fayetteville.
Sustained flight without an engine is what the art of soaring is all about. We'll take you for a flight in a glider or "sailplane" near Wynne. One of the state's largest natural bridges is at the Alum Cove Recreation Area south of Jasper-where you can also find eerie cave like rooms. The Buffalo Gap Auto Tour offers a unique back roads look at the Ouachita National Forest.
It's one of the most rugged and treacherous terrains of all the Ozarks-Indian Creek Canyon just south of the upper portion of the Buffalo National RiveRiver Hiking the canyon is recommended for experienced hikers only. We'll take you through it and show you all the spectacular sights. Then it's off on the Ouachita to re live the Hunter, Dunbar expedition with a group of Ouachita Baptist University students. Episode closes out with mountain biking atop Mt. Nebo near Dardanelle.
The Longpool Recreation Area in the Ozark National Forest northwest of Dover is well known for its camping and swimming opportunities-but not too many folks are aware of the falls behind the camping area. It's not quite the Caribbean coral reef, but the rock reefs in one of the clearest lakes in the country-Lake Ouachita make for quite a snorkeling outing at Crawdad Island. The "Nars" and Skull Bluff along the middle portion of the Buffalo National River are two very unusual rock formations which are explored in the closing segment.
The oldest structure along the Buffalo National River Park system is the Parker Hickman log home, built in 1840. The site is actually an entire farmstead that's been preserved. The Pilot Rock area near Clarksville in the Ozark National Forest, is quite a success story dealing with woodland ecosystem restoration The Blanchard Springs Recreation Area north of Mountain View offers a wide array of outdoor adventure - hiking, mountain biking, trout fishing, camping, swimming, a bluff shelter and a historic mill site.
Special interest areas within our national forests are just that-special. We'll explore the Blue Hole Special Interest Area north of Jerusalem in the Ozark National Forest and show you why this area has received that "special" designation Then it's off on an excursion through the Rex Hancock, Black Swamp Wildlife Management Area south of Augusta. Episode closes out with a hike to the storybook setting of Hideout Hollow in the upper portion of the Buffalo National River near Compton
Host Chuck Dovish reveals his ten favorite places in Arkansas. Based on either the spectacular scenery, their uniqueness or the adventure that's available, these ten locations cover all four seasons. From a drive through safari, to a working grist mill, to a dinner train excursion, a snowy mountaintop, to a wild cave journey-Chuck takes us through each special place all the way up to his number one pick.
The White Rock Mountain Recreation Area north of Mulberry offers some of the best views in the state along the rim loop trail A wild cave trek through War Eagle Cavern near Rogers provides a unique look at bat colonies. The Poteau Mountain Rustic Road Tour is yet another wonderful opportunity to experience the wilderness of the Ouachita National Forest.
Braving winter's cold temps in a kayak one is rewarded by magnificent sights of Bald Eagles on Lake Dardanelle near Russellville. Speaking of eagles… Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Arkansas was instrumental in the recovery of the bald eagle from its endangered status.We take you on an airboat and driving tour of this tucked away refuge along the Mississippi Delta. Mammoth Spring near the Missouri state line is not only the largest spring in the state, but the tenth largest in the world!
The Battle of Pea Ridge is viewed as the most decisive Civil War battle west of the Mississippi RiveRiver Pea Ridge National Military Park in northwest Arkansas is one of the most well preserved Civil War battlefields in the U.S. The Lakeport Plantation is the only remaining antebellum home along the Mississippi River in Arkansas. Beaver Lake near Rogers boasts of having the most bald eagles of any lake in the state.
You wouldn't normally expect to find wildlife viewing opportunities at an archeological park, but that's not the case at Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park near Scott. A hidden gem in the southern part of the state near Smackover, is the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources which portrays the 1920's oil boom in that area. Fort Smith National Historic Site is a special place where you can walk where Mexican War and Civil War soldiers drilled, pause along the Trail of Tears and witness where justice was served.
Triple Falls is a spectacular waterfall area in the upper portion of the Buffalo National River These fifty foot falls rival any of those seen in Hawaii. Lincoln Lake is a wonderful hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and kayaking gem tucked away in the northwest portion of the Natural State. Episode concludes with a float trip down the Buffalo National River showing exactly why this special river earned its place in 1972 as America's first national river.
In a previous episode two waterfalls were featured in the Richland Creek Wilderness area in the Ozark National Forest near Ben Hur In this segment, several more picturesque waterfalls are explored in this same area. Arkansas Post National Memorial near Gillette was not only the site of the first European settlement in the lower Mississippi Valley, but also a Civil War battleground and Arkansas'only Revolutionary War battle site. A float trip down Wattensaw Bayou near Hazen closes out the episode.
The Kings River in northwest Arkansas-like the Buffalo, is one of those few remaining pristine, free flowing streams in the country. A float trip on this river is truly an unforgettable experience, as you meander through the bluffs of the high Ozark Plateau. The various waterfalls in the Leatherwood Wilderness south of Mountain Home will also astound you with their beauty as you hike above, below and behind them. Episode concludes with a special look at "Valley of Vapors"-the hot springs that were set aside as a federal reservation in 1832 and eventually became - Hot Springs National Park.
One of the best places to go rock climbing east of the Rockies happens to be at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch near Jasper-and it's where we'll take you to conquer the rock ! Visiting one of the many Natural Areas under the protection of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission is a great way to explore a "wilder" version of the Natural State. Falcon Bottoms Natural Area near Magnolia with Bayou Dorcheat, offers a unique adventure in the state's original wild landscape. Bayou Bluff in the Ozark National Forest near Hector is one of those tucked away gems with picturesque bluffs, a cool mountain stream and breathtaking scenery.
The largest tract of protected blackland prairie in the nation happens to be in southwest Arkansas near Hope. The Grandview Prairie Wildlife Management Area contains 5000 acres of what once spanned from Missouri all the way down to Texas. Shady Lake Recreation Area in the Ouachita National Forest near Mena provides a remote picturesque mountain lake setting with plenty of fishing, camping and hiking opportunities. The great abundance of birds and other wildlife at the Millwood Lake area north of Texarkana has been a favorite with many wildlife photographers. Not to mention the perfect sunset location at Beard's Bluff Overlook.
The Cane Creek Lake Trail at Cane Creek State Park near Star City offers a unique mountain biking adventure through rolling terrain which includes suspension and timber bridges. The open range experience of the old West can be accomplished with a breakfast cookout trail ride at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch near Jasper pAcapulco style cliff diving into a natural pool is a popular activity at the Jack Creek Recreation Area in the Ouachita National Forest south of Booneville.
At the tallest peak in the state - Mt. Magazine men and women with wings soar like eagles with the extreme sport of hang gliding. Sugarloaf Mountain Island in the middle of Greers Ferry Lake is a popular destination with hiking enthusiasts to enjoy the Sugarloaf Mountain National Nature Trail Devil's Knob Devil's Backbone Natural Area near Melbourne offers a chance to explore an unusual sandstone glade and unique plant species.
One of the most photographed spots in the Natural State is a unique rock outcropping called-"Hawksbill Crag" in the upper portion of the Buffalo National River Wilderness. In living the lives of others, global hunger and poverty become a harsh reality at the Global Villages experience at Heifer International near Perryville. World class trout fishing can be enjoyed on the White River near Calico Rock.
From orienteering to mountain biking, canoeing, trekking and zip lining-it's the annual Ozark Adventure Race.Lake Enterprise by the town of Wilmot in south Arkansas is a neat, tucked away gem of the Natural State filled with picturesque cypress trees. The Arkansas Missouri Railroad offers a scenic passenger train trip back to the Golden Age of railway travel
Forked Mountain east of Hollis in the Ouachita National Forest is one of the more unique mountains in the Natural State with twin peaks.Situated along the Mississippi Flyway, a onetime elite hunting club, now the Wapanocca National Wildlife Reserve is an important sanctuary for migratory waterfowl Devil's Den State Park in northwest Arkansas is well known for its crevice and cave area, but a little known fact is that this park also has one of the state's first mountain biking trails. Hiking along the North Sylamore Creek Hiking Trail near Mountain View takes you through three fantastic camping areas along its fifteen mile route.
The Pedestal Rocks area near Pelsor is scenic as it is-but, if you hike in during the winter after a snowfall- you're rewarded with an extra added attraction-all the ice caverns below the bluffline. Sam's Throne rock formation south of Mount Judea in the Ozark National Forest is a popular destination with rock climbers and hikers alike. Taking the driving tour at Holla Bend National Wildlife Reserve south of Dardanelle, you can see bald and golden eagles snow geese and trumpeter swans. The Big Creek Natural Area east of Wilburn offers a woodlands hike to a crystal clear mountain stream with diverse populations of fish and other aquatic organisms.
Inside a cave between Gravette and Sulphur Springs in northwest Arkansas there's a fascinating legend of hidden gold left by Spanish Conquistadors of long ago. The Seven Hollows Trail at Petit Jean State Park offers a natural arch and a grotto with a waterfall Parkin Archeological State Park near Forrest City is where "history" began in Arkansas-written evidence provides documentation of events and a Native American village (1000 - 1550 A.D.) which the Hernando de Soto expedition visited in 1541. Once a rice farm, the Bald Knob National Wildlife Reserve is now a migratory mecca for both ducks and geese.
A twenty year project to build a genuine medieval castle is underway north of Harrison Bull Shoals is one of the world's oldest caverns containing virtually all known formations of any cave in the country. Overflow National Wildlife Reserve near the Louisiana state line was established to protect one of the last remaining bottomland hardwood forests in the lower Mississippi River Valley. The sandstone crevice area at Devil's Den State Park is the largest such area in the U.S.
Located near downtown Bentonville, it's a unique name for a unique mountain biking experience - Slaughter Pen, which offers both a single track trail and a freestyle area. Pinnacle Mountain State Park offers a wilderness float trip on the Little Maumelle, just minutes away from Little Rock. White River National Wildlife Refuge in east Arkansas at ninety miles in length, is the largest in the state. People from all over the world come to "the Crater" near Murfreesboro in search of diamonds because it's the only diamond producing site in the world open to the public.
As part of the Buffalo National River Region, "Thunder Canyon" Falls is one of the more lesser known waterfalls in the area and requires a bit of a hike to get to it-but well worth it. Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge near Crossett is home to the endangered red cockaded woodpecker Delta Heritage Trail State Park near West Helena is a rails to trails conversion, offering a unique look at the Delta. At Goose Pond Natural Area near Atkins, one can kayak through an enchanting cypress tupelo swamp environment.
Southeast of Fayetteville, in the Ozark National Forest , the Mill Creek Multi Use Trail offers an adventure for just about everyone - especially ATV enthusiasts. Gunner Pool and Barkshed Recreation Areas near Mountain View offer their own unique camping and swimming adventure. The Ivory Billed Woodpecker was rediscovered in 2004 but has yet to be seen again A canoe trip through the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge takes viewers to the general area where it was last spotted. n of Jasper in an experimental forest lies a hidden gem-the Koen Interpretive Nature Trail
The largest big cat refuge in the world happens to be near Eureka Springs-which rescues distressed big cats throughout the U.S. Great Egrets and gators are some of the wildlife you can see at Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Texarkana. Two lesser known trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park offer unique opportunities-along the Kingfisher Trail you hike amongst giants-huge 600 year old cypress trees. A perfect ending to a summer evening is kayaking at sunset on DeGray Lake near Arkadelphia.
Balloon pilots from across the state gather in Harrison once a year during the annual balloon festival to determine who's the best of the best in this high adventure sport. One of the finest fishing and boating destinations in the nation can be found at Bull Shoals Lake and the White River-not to mention camping, mountain biking, a butterfly garden and a wildflower meadow. A unique auto tour in the Ouachita National Forest near Mt. Ida leads to Crystal Vista itself, offering beautiful views and of course, crystals. At Bird Island in the middle of Lake Ouachita, boaters can enjoy a spectacular display of nature during late summer, as tens of thousands of purple martins converge before flying to South America.
What has been enjoyed in Costa Rica is now available in the Natural State - a zipline canopy tour at Ponca. Along with deer, bear and elk in Arkansas, elephants also make their home in the state thanks to a unique sanctuary near Guy. There are several secluded fishing lakes in the Ouachita National Forest-and in most cases, you can enjoy them all to yourself. Also, nothing beats a trail ride and a Western cookout at sunset, which can be experienced at Chief Whitehorse Ranch near Mayflower.
What happens when you motorize a glider chute, and add a couple seats and wheels to it ? It becomes one of the fastest growing forms of sport flying around. If you've enjoyed the Kings River by floating it… another way to take in the beauty of this river in northwest Arkansas is by hiking the Kings River Overlook Nature Trail Another worthwhile view to experience is the one that overlooks Roark Bluff in the upper portion of the Buffalo National River Hickson Lake located in the Dagmar Wildlife Management Area near Brinkley, is one of those neat hidden lakes perfect for canoeing, kayaking and fishing.
The Cossatot River in southwest Arkansas has always been popular with whitewater kayakers, but it's also a river for all seasons..for everyone. The War Eagle Trail north of Huntsville offers spectacular vistas of War Eagle Creek. The Shaddox Hollow Nature Trail at Arkansas' largest state park-Hobbs, is an excellent trail for school children and beginning hikers. Frog Bayou Wildlife Management Area near Ft. Smith is a prime example of wetland restoration, attracting a variety of waterfowl.
Unmatched anywhere in the world, the National Wildlife Refuge system is one of America's greatest conservation success stories. This extensive network of land and water is managed especially for wildlife, but its habitat is also for people to enjoy-thus it is commonly referred to as "America's Best Kept Secret." Arkansas' nine National Wildlife Reserve's which are open to the public are presented in this one hour special .
The White and Little Red rivers in Arkansas are well known for trout fishing… but there's also the Ouachita at Carpenter Dam near Hot Springs. Mountain biking can now be enjoyed along a couple of new trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, just west of Little Rock. Arkansas' ever changing wildlife scene now includes white pelicans during the winter The state's oldest continuous business happens to be the Oark General Store and Café northwest of Clarksville in the Ozark National Forest.
Bridal Veil Falls just outside of Heber Springs is one of those "local" gems not too many folks know exists-even has its own observation platform ! Loco Ropes at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View offers a challenging treetop adventure thrill with more than thirty challenges ranging from ziplining to a "parachute drop" without a chute! Choctaw Island Wildlife Management Area near Arkansas City is a deer research area that also offers four unique hiking trails not to mention fishing at Rocky Hole Lake and great views of the mighty Misssissip ! Episode concludes with a special course in survival techniques.
The longest hiking trail in the state is the 223 mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail which extends from Pinnacle Mt. State Park west of Little Rock..across the Ouachita National Forest and ends at Talihinia, Oklahoma.It's called the Ouartz Crystal Capital of the world-Mt. Ida in west Arkansas. The only other two places in the world containing quartz crystals are Madagascar and Brazil Other than by boat, the other adventurous way to enjoy Lake Ouachita is by taking a trail ride on horseback along the scenic vista shoreline. The Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park Marks the initial spot in a swamp in east Arkansas where land surveys began in 1815 for the Louisiana Purchase Territory.
Little Missouri Falls is located in one of the most scenic areas of the Ouachita National Forest in western Arkansas-in fact, it's a special area that almost became a national park. The Lorance Creek Natural Area between Little Rock and Pine Bluff is a dense swamp with a boardwalk which makes it quite ideal to explore without any difficulty. The Roth Prairie Natural Area in the heart of the Grand Prairie is a great example of what was once the vast tallgrass prairie. Hiking to one of the premier waterfalls in the state, Cedar Falls at Petit Jean Mountain State Park is a must do activity for anyone living in The Natural State.
Snorkeling at DeGray Lake near Arkadelphia isn't quite like the coral reefs of the Caribbean, but you do have a wonderful opportunity to explore "rock reefs" and walls underwater The sport of kayak fishing is coming of age with new kayak designs that are tailor made for the kayak angler in getting to those secluded "honey holes." The other Sugarloaf mountain in the Heber Springs area is the one along the Little Red River Hiking to the summit is a challenge in itself-especially the final few feet. The Grand Cypress Natural Area located in the Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area near Stuttgart is a sterling example of the wetland habitat that once covered a vast area of the southern region.
Moro Bay is a not too well known park near El Dorado with some fantastic floating and fishing opportunities. The Ozark Mountain Bicycle Trail is a picturesque route that follows a series of county and forest service roads. The water trail at Arkansas Post National Memorial offers a "Jurassic" type environment with huge lily pads and blossoms. A unique snorkeling experience can be enjoyed during the summer months along the Cossatot River.
The world championship of cardboard boat races takes place on Greers Ferry Lake at Heber Springs every year We'll talk with a few of the contestants along with their cardboard boat building skills. Utilizing the same "voyageur" type canoes French explorers used, the Quapaw Canoe Company in Helena offers canoe excursions on the "Mighty Mississipp." Helena's River Park is also a wildlife sanctuary with a boardwalk that leads visitors to a front and center view of the Mississippi River.
The world championship of bass fishing returned to Lake Ouachita in 2011 with the Forrest Lake Wood Cup and more than 100 top bass anglers competing. It's not exactly the Delta Queen, but it is the Arkansas Queen-and if you've never experienced a riverboat paddlewheel excursion, then this is a must trip. Two Rivers Park in west Little Rock is a hiking, biking and paddling mecca-featuring paved and unpaved trails and water trails.
Cave Point Cave near Mountain View deep in the Ozarks is full of cave life - including salamanders, cave spiders and crickets that don't chirp. We tag along on this venture with Dr Dave Thomas "Cave Doctor" from Lyon College. Richardson Bottoms is a rare marsh habitat in the Ouachita National Forest north of Lake Ouachita. The "healing" springs of Eureka Springs are what created the town and brought thousands of visitors during the heyday of the late 1800's. They are still a popular attraction in the 21st Century.
It's not every day you get to board not one, but two of Columbus' ships-the Nina and the Pinta. The replicas of the ships docked at Little Rock's Riverfront Park recently serving as traveling museums for school groups and visitors. One of the largest Civil War reenactments in Arkansas takes place every other year the first Saturday in November at Historic Washington State Park near Hope with more than 200 reenactors usually participating. In a combined effort involving the Army Corps of Engineers, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and the private sector, a man made habitat has been established for the endangered Least Terns and other waterfowl on the Arkansas River near Petit Jean Mountain .
It was a dream of Alice Walton (daughter of Sam Walton) to establish as a gift-a world class art museum in Arkansas-with the belief that American art belongs in the heartland. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is that dream come true. It tells the story of America from the Colonial era to the present through original masterpieces. The Lower Lake Waterfowl Refuge south of DeGray Lake near Arkadelphia is a 400 acre haven for all sorts of waterfowl plus bald eagles. The Wolf House a two story log building built in 1829 in Norfork happens to be the oldest public structure in Arkansas. Falls Creek Falls at Lake Catherine State Park near Hot Springs is an easy hike to a peaceful waterfall setting that's surrounded by huge boulders for plenty of sit down space to enjoy a pack lunch by the water.
A float trip down the Kings River in north Arkansas is especially rewarding during the winter months since the chances of spotting bald eagles is quite good. In the only museum of its kind in the nation, the Gangster Museum of America portrays not the deeds of gangsters, but their impact and lifestyle when they came to Hot Springs on so called "neutral" ground. Bluffton was once a thriving community near Clinton in the mid 1800's. The old post office, general store still stands. Panther Bluff Falls and Camp Creek Falls are two waterfalls that can easily be enjoyed immediately off the road north of Dierks.
The Caddo Bend Trail at Lake Ouachita State Park is a 4 mile hike around Point 50 Peninsula which includes many scenic vistas of the lake. The West Northwest Scenic Byway southeast of Fort Smith, is the newest addition to the Arkansas Scenic Byway system. Comprised of four state highways and traversing mainly through the Ouachita National Forest, this byway offers many scenic views, with one of them being the tallest peak in the state - Mt. Magazine. Sentinel Rock and Bingham Hollow Falls in northwest Arkansas are a couple of lesser known waterfalls that will simply take your breath away when they're at their optimal flow.
Car Wash Falls south of Deer along Big Piney Creek, is just what the name says-a drive through waterfall that'll give your vehicle a thorough wash to say the least. Onyx Cave near Eureka Springs may be small, but it makes up for it with magnificent cave formations. Blowing Springs in Bella Vista is a spectacular and scenic mountain bike trail that's ideal for the beginner to the more experienced rider Bayou DeView in the Dagmar Wildlife Management Area near Brinkley is the latest addition to the Arkansas Water Trail System.
A combination of the old and new-the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop is Highway 71 and Interstate 540 which connect Alma and Fayetteville traversing some of the highest plateaus in the Ozarks. Two species of woodland salamanders make their home in the Ouachita Mountain range of Arkansas and are found nowhere else on earth. The Jewel Moore Nature Reserve on the UCA campus in Conway provides a 19 acre outdoor classroom for thousands of students both on and off campus.
Garvan Woodland Gardens near Hot Springs is an internationally respected botanical garden It's also one of top five botanical gardens in the nation The Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff features bald eagles, a resident alligator, fish native to Arkansas and a trail system for viewing wildlife out in the wetland area. Fort Curtis in Helena is a re production of a Civil War earthen fort the only one of its kind in the region The Little Blakely Trail System is comprised of several loop trails in the Ouachita National Forest. Open to hikers and mountain bikers, if offers spectacular views of Lake Ouachita.
Fort Rock near Combs in the Ozark National Forest is a recreated 1800's style fort and old West town that gives families an opportunity to stay in a blockhouse and experience a slower pace of life when families spent time together "Shape Note Gatherings" or Sacred Harp Singings are held throughout the country to keep alive this early American art form. One such gathering is featured at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View. Rainbow Lorikeets and African penguins at the LR Zoo offer visitors a unique interactive experience.
If you always wanted to swing to higher heights, then the sky swing at the Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca is the mega swing that'll satisfy any thrill seeker's needs. River wade fishing for bass is a technique that can be used on just about any stream reeling in successful results. Kayak fishing on the Arkansas River near a Least Tern sanctuary makes for a pleasant outing in catching fish and viewing the endangered birds. Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville is not only a popular sunset location, but also served as a strategic spot during the Civil War .
You can re trace the longest stagecoach route in the history of the world-by driving a portion of it through northwest Arkansas by way of the Butterfield Heritage Trail A gem of a hiking trail that's hardly been publicized until now, is the one that loops around Lake Alma in the town of Alma. A unique mountain biking experience along Crowley's Ridge can be enjoyed at Village Creek State Park north of Forrest City. Hiking and blue ribbon smallmouth bass fishing are offered at the Conservation Education Center along Crooked Creek near Yellville.
The Museum of Native American Histoy in Bentonville is a collection, according to many visitors rivals that of the Smithsonian with artifacts from 14,000 years ago. The "White River Monster" hasn't been sighted since the early 1970's, but its legend continues in the Newport area. The Possum Kingdom Trail north of Lake Ouachita in the Ouachita National Forest offers mountain biking opportunities on gravel, paved and unsurfaced road types. The self proclaimed "Coolest Town in Arkansas" (coldest place on average) happens to be Gilbert near the banks of the Buffalo National River The town and the General Store haven't changed much since 1901.
You're not likely to find moonshine, but you will enjoy one of the most picturesque drives in the Ozarks by taking the 110 mile Ozark Moonshine Run which utilizes six highways. Prim's round boulders have been quite the attraction for a long time. They're not so much a mystery, but are related to several geological processes dating back about ten thousand years. It's called Oil Town USA, but Smackover boasts of another attraction a ghost tour of five active "haunted" buildings plus three cemeteries. A pleasant Delta drive is the Great River Road, which is actually a national parkway of the Mississippi River, extending through ten states.
A lesser known float trip that is peaceful and picturesque is along War Eagle Creek north of Huntsville near Withrow Springs State Park. Previously in a EA episode, the wild cave tour at Blanchard Springs Caverns was featured..during this episode, in the developed section of the cavern, the Dripstone Trail is portrayed. The Petit Jean River Wildlife Management Area south of Dardanelle is one of the best areas in west central Arkansas for viewing shorebirds and wintering waterfowl-not to mention a couple of really neat old bridges. Shower Chair Falls and White Oak Creek Falls north of Ozark in the Ozark National Forest, are just a couple of the falls recently discovered by Brian Emfinger, one of the state's top waterfall explorers, photographers.
Mount Nebo near Dardanelle has always been a popular launching area for hang glider pilots. But, not too many folks are aware of the cascade and waterfall that can be explored by hiking one of the several trails. The town of Hardy boasts as being the smallest town in Arkansas with an official Main Street program. (population 720) Forty one buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. First getting national attention in a National Geographic magazine in 1979, Eva "Granny" Henderson who lived by herself along the Buffalo National River, became everyone's granny after the article was published. During this segment, her homestead is revisited with another author who leaves behind a memorial for everyone visiting Granny's cabin.
One of the simplest joys of life, that's also quite therapeutic..is flying a kite. At the annual Bentonville Kite Fest, usually every kite imaginable can be seen in the sky, and enjoyed by every generation.all in one location Natural Dam Falls, near the community of Natural Dam in the Ozark National Forest is just what the name suggests-a natural wall of rock spanning the entire length of a creek..creating a dam of sorts. For some, "Indian Trail Trees" are merely shrugged off as misfits of nature…but for others, these bent "L" shaped trees served a specific purpose as the "highway signs" for early Native Americans.
Lake Sequoyah near Fayetteville offers wonderful opportunities for fishing, kayaking, bird watching..and hiking along a trail that extends half way around the lake. A superb location for a leisurely float fishing outing, is along Osage Creek near Berryville. Rock Creek Valley near Deer is ideal for exploring towering bluffs..5 story tall pedestal rocks..and waterfalls.
The Iron Mountain Bike Trail along DeGray Lake near Arkadelphia, when completed will be about 26 miles long. It offers a nice adventure ride that can be done in sections, or the entire length depending upon your physical ability. Historic Washington State Park is exactly that-an entire town that happens to be a state park. Washington was an important stop along the rugged Southwest Trail to Texas. It's also the home of the legendary Bowie knife. The Yellow Rock Trail at Devil's Den State Park offers magnificent views in all directions from atop Yellow Rock itself.
The swimmin' hole at Falling Water Falls near Ben Hur in the Ozark National Forest is rated one of the best if not the best in the entire Ozark region. Sans Souci Landing southwest of Osceola along the Mississippi River is named after an 1854 plantation that occupied the site. It was also called Plum Point and was mentioned in Mark Twain's book – Life on the Mississippi. Bradley Park along the Little Buffalo River in Jasper is a serene setting for fishing and taking a cool dip. The designated Wildflower Routes of Arkansas contain 600 species of wildflowers along 1000 miles of highways.
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville has nine themed gardens, plus the region's only butterfly house. Arkansas' Wine Country in Altus is an officially designated American Vitacultural Area – same as California's Nappa Valley. The history of this wine-producing region dates back to the 1870's when German-Swiss immigrants settled the area and established their vineyards. The state's longest, fastest and highest zipline called the 'Iron Horse' happens to be at a dude ranch near Jasper – it's also one of the top ziplines in North America.
Bull Shoals-White River State Park offers some of the best snorkeling opportunities in Arkansas. Park interpreters provide gear and instruction to explore first-hand the lake's fish, rocks and plants. The Beckham Creek Cave House was first featured on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. But, there's another side to it – the wild side, which has uncovered some unknown cave species within its depths. The Strawberry River has one of the greatest concentrations of aquatic biodiversity in North America. The stream's upper section has been designated as an Arkansas Natural and Scenic River. It's also a Preserve with The Nature Conservancy, whose motto is –'Saving The Last Great Places On Earth.'
Resembling the Jetsons flying car… the 21st century gyroplane is a personal aircraft that's currently being sold in more than forty countries. We take a test "drive" in one, zooming through the Ozarks. Artist Point along Hwy 71 north of Mountainburg offers one of the most spectacular views in NW Arkansas. The trail leads hikers to Artist Point Falls. The Lower White River Museum State Park in Des Arc portrays the vital role of a river-based economy as pioneers and early settlers migrated west. Blue Spring Heritage Center near Eureka Springs is the second largest spring in the state. It's also the location of an Ozark Bluff Shelter, whose inhabitants occupied the site some 10,000 years ago. The spring and the shelter are along the path of the Trail of Tears.
An Ozark snowfall creates a glorious picture postcard scene near Anvil Rock, overlooking the Mulberry River northwest of Ozark. Winter's sub zero temperatures transform the trail leading to Glory Hole Falls into breathtaking views of ice and flowing water. The Grant County Museum in Sheridan contains ten galleries plus an outside Heritage Square, that traces the county's development from pre historic times to the present… and then some. Episode concludes with a "snow float" along Crooked Creek near Harrison, observing winter wildlife.
The art of falconry dates back about 3000 years, and is still common today. At DeGray Lake Resort State Park, public falconry hunts are incorporated with the eagle outings. Marble Falls -- once a part of Dogpatch USA—is a spring-fed waterfall, providing a year-round flow and is visible from Scenic Byway 7, along with the town of Marble Falls. Standing Rock is what's left of a massive rock formation in the Ouachita National Forest south of Mena. Driving along the Mississippi River levee at Lake Chicot State Park, provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the history, wildlife and culture of the area.
In a remote area of the Ozark National Forest between Cass and Oark, along Mulberry Valley and the Mulberry River…is Mulberry Valley Falls – a spectacular three-tier waterfall hidden in the wilderness, and can only be reached by way of bushwhacking. Every spring, folks from all over make their annual pilgrimage to Wye Mountain northwest of Little Rock to view seven acres of more than thirty varieties of daffodils. The Little Red River in Heber Springs is a world-class trout stream where fly-fishing for rainbow trout is therapy for the soul. The Natural Bridge of Arkansas north of Clinton is a rock arch wonder that spans 105 feet and is more than three million years old.
The Mossy Bluff National Nature Trail begins at the William Carl Garner Visitors Center in Heber Springs and meanders along a bluff, offering spectacular views of the Little Red River and Greers Ferry Dam. The lost art of handcrafting wooden canoes and kayaks is kept alive by a boat builder in Bentonville. DeSoto Bluff Trail Park in Arkadelphia overlooks the Ouachita River and serves as an outdoor classroom for area school students. Reed's Bridge Battlefield along Bayou Meto just south of Jacksonville, preserves the site of a forgotten Civil War skirmish in 1863. It also includes an 1860 era replica of a farmstead.
The deepest canyon in the Ozarks south of Jasper is nicknamed-"Arkansas' Grand Canyon." It's been visited by millions of travelers since 1955 - including Harry and Bess Truman and Bill Clinton, who used the beauty of Scenic Byway 7 to propose to Hillary. The Mulberry River in northwest Arkansas was officially designated in 1985 by the state legislature as a "Wild and Scenic River." -A float trip down it, is definitely that ! Earthquake Ridge Trail north of Mena is a great hiking and mountain biking trail that parallels the Talimena Scenic Byway. It's named as such, not because of an earthquake, but after all the rock crevices nearby the trail. Early railroad days come alive at the restored 1902 St. Joe Historic RR Depot/Museum.
88-year old Millie Calhoun's dream has always been to float the Buffalo National River. We made that dream come true by arranging her very first float trip down America's first national river. The Whitewater Recreation Park along the Illinois River south of Siloam Springs, provides kayaking adventure for both beginners and experts…not to mention tubing fun for everyone. A popular swimmin' hole is located at the Longpool Recreation Area along Big Piney Creek near Dover. Huge boulders provide natural diving platforms. Kayaking and canoeing can also be enjoyed on this creek.
One of the fastest growing water sports is standing up on a surf board and paddling upright –thus the name—Standup Paddleboarding. We join a group of standup paddleboarders on Beaver Lake near in northwest Arkansas. Miner's Rock Trail along Lake Leatherwood near Eureka Springs is one of the more popular mountain bike trails in the area. Miner's Rock itself is quite the sight ! What do you get when you team up with a river guide who calls himself "Mountain Man?" -- Well, you're in for quite an adventure with "tall tales" and plenty of fish! The Blanchard Springs Recreation Area north of Mountain View offers not one, but two fantastic swimmin' holes along North Sylamore Creek.
The Arkansas Air & Military Museum in Fayetteville brings back the golden age of aviation under two hangers – one of which itself is a part of American history. Every Labor Day weekend in Clinton, things get real wild and wooly to say the least, during the National Championship Chuckwagon Races.
The Trolley Museum in Fort Smith is not just a static display. One of the three streetcars operates through town on a daily basis. From the nearly 4000 B-29's that were built during WWII, the only one still flying made a tour stop in Fayetteville, with the pilot being a local resident. Named after an active seismic fault in the area, the Enders Fault Mountain Bike Trail is the newest addition at Woolly Hollow State Park near Greenbrier.
The fascination of caves is something that is never-ending. Humans have been exploring caves for more than 500,000 years. They were first used by early man for shelter, as a source of medicinal minerals, ceremonial rituals, revivals, hideouts for outlaws, and even to distill moonshine. In this day-and-age, caves are popular for their awesome beauty and wonder. During this special wild caving adventure, we'll take you through some of our most memorable and awe-inspiring caves in The Natural State.
If you ever wanted to learn how to fly-fish, but didn't exactly know how to go about it, we have the solution! Join us for a free lesson from not just a fly-fisherman, but a world champion fly-fishing gold medalist! The Arkansas Living Treasure designation by the Arkansas Arts Council, recognizes Arkansans skilled in traditional craft, whose contributions over a lifetime, have fostered significant impacts for their art form. -- A recent recipient is a log master craftsman. The South Fork of the Spring River near Salem has been designated by the state as a Quality Smallmouth Stream. The results of our float-fishing outing on that stream, backs up that designation!
Called a pre-1865 historical re-enactment or a mountain man rendezvous, such gatherings are held across the country on a regular basis -- re-living the lifestyle and adventure of the American frontier. Many outdoor enthusiasts flock to the Mulberry River in the Ozarks during spring to float it…but during Autumn the Mulberry turns majestic, offering the perfect photographic outing! Horse drawn wagons have long since faded away from the American scene, but a wagon restorer near Botkinburg is making sure wagons of the Old West are kept alive through his one-man wagon company.
Ninety-Eight year young Violet Hensley of Yellville was designated as an Arkansas Living Treasure in 2004 for her fiddle playing and fiddle making skills – she makes them in her kitchen, from scratch. During January and February at Bull Shoals-White River State Park you can view the bald eagle splendor there along the river by hiking one of the nature trails. The original Duck Dynasty, contrary to what others might say, is the family of Chick Major in Stuttgart, who began making duck calls in 1939, and who’s succeeded by one of his daughters, who continues making the calls.
Along the Alum Cove National Recreation Trail in the Ozark National Forest south of Jasper, one can explore not only one of the largest natural stone bridges in the state, but also cave-like rooms in this unique geological area. Maple syrup gathering is something that's usually only associated with the New England states. But, this late winter activity has been a tradition with one Arkansas family for six generations. Utilizing the same techniques and wood that Native Americans used, a Dardanelle craftsman is keeping alive an ancient craft with his primitive bow making skills.
The latest addition to Arkansas' many scenic byways is the Mulberry River Road Scenic Byway in the Ozark National Forest. Just off that scenic byway is High Bank Twin Falls - with only a ¼ mile-long trail, it's well worth the hike! North Little Rock's Old Mill is quite the iconic structure, with quite the story behind it - not to mention a photographer's playground when all the Dogwoods are in full bloom! The Athens - Big Fork Trail in the Ouachita National Forest is a spectacular backpacking trail that was once an old mail route between Athens and Big Fork.
If you can't make it to Egypt to see the Great Sphinx, there's an Arkansas version of it in the Ozark National Forest northeast of Clarksville. Little Lake Atkins is big on bass - really big! How does anywhere from 5-10 pounds sound? Also, Lucky Landing Bait Shop there serves up some really big tasty burgers! Established in 1878 by Benedictine monks, there's more to Subiaco Abbey than meets the eye-including vineyards, a sawmill, carpentry shop and producing its own monk hot sauce - just to name a few!
Newly renovated Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs is all about getting kids and adults back to enjoying the outdoors, utilizing the surrounding woods of the museum as the main attraction. One of the more popular swimming holes along the Buffalo National River is called "Shine Eye" located just north of the Highway 65 bridge. The 20th Century Doll Museum in Newport, happens to be the largest private doll collection in the U.S. Potts Inn built during the 1850's in Pottsville is one of the best preserved stagecoach stations along the Butterfield Overland mail route between Memphis and Fort Smith.
It was one stretch of highway that early rock ‘n roll singers kept hot, performing at all the various clubs that existed along old highway 67 north of Newport. Pivot Rock near Eureka Springs has been a famous Ozarks attraction for more than 100 years -even the subject of Ripley's Believe It or Not. Folk music isn't the only type of music in the Ozarks - there's also Opera In The Ozarks at Inspiration Point in Eureka Springs. Isle hopping on Lake Ouachita features unique geological formations, including mini "caves" at Hotel Island.
The Kenda Drive-In in Marshall has been in continuous operation with the same family since 1966. A "cruise-in" night with classic cars at this drive-in theater re-creates a scene from those "happy days." Horner Neck Lake in the St. Francis National Forest north of Helena is a kayaker's paradise chock full of impressive cypress trees. Rolando's along bathhouse row in Hot Springs is actually three restaurants in one, offering distinct ambiances, not to mention impeccable Latin American cuisine.
The Rock City trail atop Mt. Kessler in Fayetteville is a popular hiking/mountain biking trail that offers a rather challenging excursion, if you happen to be on a mountain bike. Cut-Off Creek/Ravines Natural Area near Dermott is one of the best kayaking adventures in the state where you can explore several hundred year-old cypress trees. If you want to take a trip down memory lane, then Memory Lane Museum near Berryville is the place to go. What's a cross between tent camping and RVing? Well, it's called a Yurt, and for some outdoor enthusiasts it's the only way to go camping!
Mt. Magazine ATV Tour/War Eagle Fair/Empress/Take Your Breath AwayOne of the best ways to explore the state's highest peak is on a 4-wheeler. 2,753-foot Mount Magazine offers 176 miles of ATV trails. The south's largest craft fair takes place every autumn in October at War Eagle Mill near Rogers, with an average of more than 100,000 in attendance. It's the best example of ornate Victorian architecture in Arkansas - The Empress of Little Rock -and you can stay there, since it's a bed and breakfast. Take Your Breath Away scenic drive in west Arkansas is comprised of four highways and it definitely lives up to its name.
A dream castle twenty years in the making – Castle Rogue's Manor near Eureka Springs is that remarkable story and the man behind it all. Goode's Grocery-circa 1905 in Holland is back in business thanks to third and fourth generation efforts. Moonshiners Cave began as a pioneer family root cellar, deep in the Ozarks. Legend has it, that later it became used for something quite different than canned vegetables. Cotham's Mercantile in Scott is home of the famous Hubcap Burger and "where the elite meet to eat."
Hybrid bass or "stripers" as they're commonly called, are quite the fish to reel in, especially if they're close to forty pounds. Lake Ouachita is one of the favorite lakes to go catch them. Railyard Bike Park in Rogers is a dirt jump bike park that rivals many of those out on the west coast. Slay Cave in Snowball caused quite the stir back in the 1930's when the 10,000 year old "Arkansas Woman" was excavated measuring more than seven feet tall, according to a 1941 newspaper article - fact or folklore? Hogpen BBQ in Conway is a family tradition that many a folk have sworn by, as having the best barbecue in the state, and then some.
After being a general store, post office and a hotel… a 1901 building in Osage is now a pottery shop where folks can watch the owners at work, creating quality clayworks. At the National Park Aquarium in Hot Springs you can get up close with piranha and a 400-volt catfish - just to name a couple of the oddities there. Pysanky is an ancient Ukrainian egg art form that uses beeswax and dyes. A Hot Springs woman is a master at it and has earned the title - an Arkansas Living Treasure. Palarm Creek Waterfowl Rest Area within the Bell Slough Wildlife Management Area near Mayflower is a haven for birdwatchers during the winter months.
Speleology students from Lyon College in Batesville go to their class at Bat Cave nearby town. Gravity Hill in Helena has been perplexing folks for quite some time, as vehicles roll "uphill" when put in neutral. The Wax Museum in Hot Springs wasn't always that –built in 1893, the building was the Southern Club – the oldest illegal gambling casino in the South. Mt Magazine in west Arkansas is the highest peak in the state, along with its own climate – if you're looking for snow in the winter, you'll most likely find it atop this mountain.
In the Ozark National Forest north of Oark, down in Accord Hollow…is Accord Hollow Falls – a beautiful multi-tiered waterfall worth the hike. The annual Tulip Extravaganza at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs from mid-March to April is a must-see experience. One of the few original phone booths in the nation that’s still in operation and is the only such structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, happens to be in Prairie Grove. The Hollis Country Store in the Ouachita National Forest, is one of those early 1900’s stores time forgot – where folks go not just to shop, but to chat and enjoy Connie Hawks’ famous baloney sandwiches
It began in the early sixties and is still going strong - the annual Arkansas Folk Festival in the Folk Music Capital of the World - Mountain View. Archery legend Ben Pearson of Pine Bluff in 1966 began a one-of-a-kind Ozark retreat in Prim, which now his son and grandson continue the Longbow legacy and vision. Ravenden Springs was once called "Arkansas' Dream Town" during the 1880's as folks from all over flocked to its five "healing springs". The town's most unique feature is Hall's Creek Canyon.
The term "plein air" is the painting of life in the open air out in nature. Plein air artists from around the country gathered in Eureka Springs for the first annual Plein Air Festival.Bear Creek Lake is a pristine storybook setting located in the St. Francis National Forest north of Helena. The lake offers not only scenic views but an abundance of great fishing for big bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish. It's called The Forgotten Tragedy - the Sultana Mississippi River steamboat disaster of April 27, 1865 near Marion, Arkansas - the greatest maritime disaster in U.S. history - more perished than in the Titanic. When an "addition" was added to Parachute Inn in Walnut Ridge in 2005, the restaurant took on a whole new dining experience - tray tables are down in this Boeing 737 jetliner.
Lake Greeson in southwest Arkansas has long been known for its great crappie fishing. Catching “slab” crappie in the 17-inch category is not out of the norm. Along North Sylamore Creek near Mountain View, near the North Sylamore Creek Trailhead is a secluded swimmin' hole complete with a rope swing that is quite popular with the locals. Jacksonville Museum of Military History sits on the old Arkansas Ordnance Plant site which manufactured bomb parts during WWII. She's known to many as the pie queen of the South-Charlotte Bowls of Keo who creates her 10-inch high meringue pies in a historic pharmacy building.
The historic swinging bridge built in 1914 on Sylamore Creek north of Mountain View continues to be a family gathering place for picnics and reunions..plus serving as a popular swimming and fishing hole. In 1930 when a 820-pound meteorite fell to the earth near Paragould, it put the town into history and science books -at the time it was the largest meteorite ever to be seen in its descent. The town of Beaver in northwest Arkansas has one of the most picturesque landmarks in the state - the Little Golden Gate Bridge, which the locals call-"the bridge to nostalgia." An artistic couple in Eureka Springs have turned their house and property into a real life fantasy land, with unique "fairy tale" architecture. The 1856 historic Smyrna Church west of Searcy, happens to be the oldest documented church building in the state. It's also one of only five antebellum churches still standing in Arkansas.
Arkansas hasn't really been known for alligators, but ever since they were reintroduced in the state, that's steadily been changing. A visit to a swampy lake near Texarkana brings out a few of these pre-historic creatures. One of the best places in the state to experience how life was in a 19th century town, is the Parker Pioneer Homestead located in Whitehall in east Arkansas. One of the state's largest Native American bluff shelters containing petroglyphs happens to be on a golf course in Fairfield Bay. Low Gap Café, south of the Buffalo National River, west of Jasper, is a perfect example that you can't judge a book—or a place by its cover. This five-star restaurant with an acclaimed chef, features a menu filled with lobster, salmon, ahi tuna, shrimp, calamari, steaks, catfish, frog legs and pasta dishes galore!
The Ozark Folklife Festival at Tyler Bend along the Buffalo National River is a heritage event which portrays how life was back when the region was first settled. A backyard garden steam railroad built by one model train buff is quite the sight to behold along the shores of Greers Ferry Lake. The Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway north of Clarksville offers the Ozark Highlands National Recreation Trail, camping, remnants of an old Civilian Conservation Corps camp and one of the best burgers in the state. A mule team wagon train excursion near Cozahome along Big Creek, showcases some of the most spectacular scenery in north Arkansas.
The annual Cast Iron Cook Off at the Dogwood Hills Guest Farm near Harriet, showcases this centuries old cooking method, utilizing both Dutch Ovens and iron skillets. The Pig Trail Scenic Byway - Highway 23 north of Ozark, is said to be quite possibly the most scenic stretch of road in the entire state. The Black Fork Mountain Trail which traverses the Black Fork Mountain Wilderness northwest of Mena in the Ouachita National Forest, offers incredible views along one of the tallest peaks in the state. The award-winning Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie in Stuttgart, depicts the history of agriculture and the pioneers who farmed the Grand Prairie of eastern Arkansas from the late 1800's.
Founded in 1850, Berryville has a lot to offer – a mural restoration project puts the focus back on the town's history and art – also, museums – one containing a historic gun collection second to none. Shiloh Museum of Ozark History takes its name from the pioneer community of Shiloh, which later became Springdale. Six historic buildings and special programs portray what life was like at that time. White Cliffs Natural Area at Millwood Lake is said to contain the highest grade of chalk in the country. World renowned Daisy Airgun Museum in Rogers contains the BB guns of boyhood in early America-- from the 1600's to the present. Including the famous Red Ryder made popular in a 1983 movie - "A Christmas Story."
It's an almost 100 percent guarantee of seeing bald eagles when you take the eagle excursion at Lake Dardanelle State Park in Russellville. –And that's because eagles nest there year round. The multi use trails at Pension Mountain south of Berryville will take you to historic Johnson Spring which was once the source of the city's water supply. The Rice-Upshaw house near Dalton in the NE corner of Arkansas happens to be the state's oldest known structure, built in 1828. Rhoda's Famous Hot Tamales in Lake Village are exactly that, as folks from all over flock to this modest restaurant for not just the tamales, but also the great tasting 'soul' food.
Cadron Settlement was the first permanent white settlement in central Arkansas. Located on the banks of the Arkansas River west of Conway, it was a French trading post and part of the Cherokee Trail of Tears. Northeast of Mount Ida --the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World, is the Sweet Surrender Crystal Mine – one of several mines in the area, where digging for quartz is a rock hound's paradise. The remnants of the lost resort town of Monte Ne beneath the waters of Beaver Lake near Rogers can be explored when water levels are low. The 3.3 mile water trail throughout Grassy Lake in Bell Slough WMA near Mayflower offers a cypress-tupelo adventure with plenty of wildlife.
Camden's Daffodil Festival includes tours of several daffodil gardens and farms, including the popular event-- "Dining With The Daffodils." The oldest barbershop in the country happens to be the 1894 Sanitary Barbershop in Pocahontas. At the 4-H Center in Ferndale, school students can enjoy a day in a "Arkansas Outdoor Classroom." The Pickens Store & Restaurant in the Delta is popular with folks from miles around, who go there to enjoy the daily "down home country cooking" lunch specials.
It's the only remaining airworthy Marine B-25 bomber in the world - (Doolittle Raiders fame) and it made a stop at the Arkansas Air & Military Museum in Fayetteville to give onlookers an up close experience out of the history books. Rattlesnake Falls is in the deep wilderness of the Ozark National Forest northeast of Mountainburg. -Rattlesnakes aren't the concern though - it's the black bears! One of Arkansas' best kept secrets happens to be the town of Leslie, which still maintains its 1920's- era charm. Steak lovers and cooks gather every May in Magnolia for the World Championship Steak Cook-Off, which is held in conjunction with the Magnolia Blossom Festival. The Pigeon Creek National Recreation Trail north of Mountain Home along Norfork Lake, is a wonderful twenty-mile trail system that's open to mountain bikers and hikers.
The Marinoni Scenic Area north of Ozark in the Ozark National Forest near the Mulberry River, is an enchanting and exhilarating place with waterfalls, majestic bluffs, giant ferns and boulders. Branson may have the Dixie Stampede, but Fort Smith has its own Old Fort Days Dandies - a special group of young ladies who are known for their superior horsemanship across the country. The Arkansas Fiddlers Convention is a four-day jam session extravaganza held every May in Harrison. The small Arkansas Delta town of Elaine - population 636 -- is known as the "Birdhouse Capital Of America" - 800 and counting
A unique cave near Batesville contains not only a spring, but also one of the largest numbers of cave salamanders in the state. The Scott Plantation Settlement is a relocation of 25 structures, relevant to working plantations that were prevalent from the beginning of Arkansas Statehood until mechanization. Fishing for gar is usually not something that is associated with the average Arkansas angler. - An outing to a "gar hole" on the South Fork Ouachita River near Mount Ida, proves why sport fishing for gar doesn't exactly tickle everyone's fancy. Every summer, the Arkansas Audubon Society conducts a unique hands-on youth ecology camp at a location that's unique in of itself - Camp Clearfork of CCC fame, west of Hot Springs.
It's not only a great place to camp, but also to swim - the Ozark Campground and swimming hole along the Buffalo National River north of Jasper. A beekeeper near Greenbrier shows the perks and benefits of having your own beehives - the taste of raw honey that can't be beat. The Ozark Hellbender Salamander, which is on the endangered species list, survives in only a few streams in Missouri and Arkansas - one of them is the Eleven Point River in Randolph County. Known simply as the "silver bridge" - this historic 1912 landmark north of Mulberry, along the Mulberry River has been a popular swimming hole with many generations.
Founded in 1964 by the late Governor Wintrhop Rockefeller, The Museum of Automobiles atop Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton, has a collection of more than fifty vehicles that rival any other car museum in the mid-south -including cars owned by celebrities and Presidents. A former world champion chainsaw carver, Kay Jackson now wows passers-by through the town of Alpena with her roadside chainsaw carving shop. The Spadra Creek Nature Trail is a gem of a scenic trail, smack dab in the middle of Clarksville. The Fort Smith Visitor Center happens to be the only former bordello, known as "Miss Laura's Social Club" that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And, Futrell Pharmacy in Pocahontas happens to be the oldest drugstore in the state, complete with a soda fountain.
The Beebe Flea Market, held every Saturday morning is one of the largest such events in Arkansas where you can find just about everything - including ethnic foods and animals. At the front gate of the Little Rock Air Force Base is not just any C-130 that's on display. This one happens to be the last one that flew out of Vietnam just before the end of the war. There's a place near Marshall that lives up to the song lyrics, "Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam…" and where folks can experience a farm stay with bison. The Lovers' Leap Trail at Queen Wilhelmina State Park atop Rich Mountain, offers one of the most stunning views in the state, along with a legendary story.
Gaston's White River Resort near Bull Shoals, prides itself on being ranked America's number one trout fishing resort. –Having its own airstrip and award-winning restaurant helps…but the other factor is their signature "shore lunch" they offer with all the fixins, including of course – the trout you catch. There was a time when traveling the two-lane highway is all there was in America. We take a backroads tour from Little Rock to Memphis along Highway 70 and relive the "fun" that travel used to be. Every second weekend in October, the World Championship Quartz Crystal Dig is held in the Ouachita Mountains near the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World – Mount Ida. Coco's happens to be a five-star Mexican restaurant, attached to a gas station, that's in the middle of nowhere near Cabot.
The B-17 "Flying Fortress" played a vital role during World War II. A few of the planes are still flying and one flew in at Conway's Cantrell Field to give visitors a once-in-a-lifetime flight. Red Bluff overlook in the middle section of the Buffalo National River near Gilbert, is a popular spot for both photographers and hikers. Historic Calico Rock on the White River has a lot to offer including its own crime lab for students! The White County Pioneer Village in Searcy is a wonderful educational setting that depicts early American life from the 1880's to 1930.
The Castle on Stagecoach in Little Rock is actually a fairy tale event center, making children's fairy tale dreams come true, complete with horse and carriage rides. The "crag" in Jamestown near Batesville is a rock climber's paradise with many different routes up the "crag" for different skills. The Arkansas State University Museum in Jonesboro is definitely more than meets the eye, with artifacts from pre-historic Native Americans, exhibits depicting the state's natural history and cultural heritage; plus a replica of a Mastodon skeleton. The oldest continuous existing town in Arkansas happens to be Batesville. The historic downtown district and the historic home district are the two main attractions.
Located in a remote area of the Ouachita National Forest southeast of Mena, Bard Springs offers a small scenic stream and day-use picnic/recreation areas. -During winter's frigid temperatures, the two waterfalls along the stream turn into a spectacular ice display. The Four States Auto Museum in Texarkana has all the antique cars and classics - from Model T's to a 1965 Mustang. The Fort Chaffee Barbershop has been restored to the way it looked in 1958 when Elvis Presley enlisted in the Army and got his GI buzz haircut - "The haircut heard 'round the world." Muse's Country Store south of Heber Springs --circa 1937, is a place where memories are shared, and where you still open your soda bottle with the built-in bottle opener on the machine.
The Galaxy Connection in Hot Springs is the result of one man's vast collection turned into a Star Wars and Superheroes museum. –At the end of the tour you get to suit up like a Jedi and participate in a light saber duel! Highway 123 Falls is an impressive waterfall just off Highway 123 in the Ozark National Forest north of Hagarville. Welcome, Arkansas is just a stones' throw away from the Louisiana state line southwest of Magnolia. The Mammoth Orange Café in the shape of a huge orange in Redfield, has been an iconic attraction since 1965 and is still going strong.
The "Sandstone Castles" are actually caverns cut into the side of a bluff in the Richland Creek Wilderness of the Ozark National Forest near Lurton. Housed in an old country-style railroad depot, the Ruland Junction Toy Train Museum in Heber Springs is a family collection spanning more than 90 years. Arnold Layne is the "Fiddleman" of Bentonville – not only can he play ‘em..he's made nearly 300 of them since 1944. The Big Creek Cave Falls area south of Jasper is a wonderland of waterfalls, caves and mountain streams.
The Long Ridge Middle Bloyd Sandstone formation located in the Ozark National Forest, north of Hurricane Creek Wilderness, is a unique and eerie crevasse area that you'd normally find out West somewhere. Rafting on the nationally designated Wild & Scenic Mulberry River adds a little bit more of an adventure twist versus floating it in a canoe or kayak. The Jacksonville Guitar Center is more than meets the eye - back from the main showroom is one of the most extensive vintage cowboy guitar collections in the country. The Ranch North Woods Preserve is the Nature Conservancy's newest preserve, bordering Pinnacle Mountain State Park in west Little Rock. It features 234 acres of fields, forest, wetlands and 1.7 miles of the Little Maumelle River. What a fisherman experienced on Lake Conway back in 1952, which became known as the "Lake Conway Monster" may very well have been the inspiration for the classic 1954 Hollywood film - "Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Bluffton was once a thriving community northwest of Clinton. Now it's the Bluffton Preserve under The Nature Conservancy and an ideal place for swimming, fishing, hiking, camping and floating. Pogue Springs near Mountain View, along North Sylamore Creek has been a well-kept secret hideaway for peace and solitude. Historic Cane Hill in northwest Arkansas is just that - boasting 16 structures that are on the National Register of Historic Places. Since 1960 the Susie Q Malt Shop drive-in at Rogers has been packing in the customers - and no wonder, with menu items like the 'Big Daddy' burger and the "Big Pig" pork tenderloin, plus malts and shakes—its 'happy days' all over again!
Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park is where Arkansas's tallest Native American mounds are preserved. The Edible Insects program at DeGray Lake Resort State Park is one of the most popular summertime presentations. Storm Creek Lake located in Mississippi River State Park, is a tucked away gem within the St. Francis National Forest. Little Grand Canyon is a unique rock formation area in southern Arkansas, which truly does resemble The Grand Canyon. Camp Mitchell is a popular church summer camp atop Petit Jean Mountain, with a history that goes back to the early 1940's.
Housed in a new facility at Hampson Archeological Museum State Park in Wilson, are artifacts from the "Nodena Site" which was inhabited by late Mississippian period Native Americans. Black Bass Lake is a hidden gem down a dirt road within the city limits of Eureka Springs. The Tontitown Grape Festival celebrates the town's Italian heritage and is one of the oldest festivals in the state, beginning in 1898. Electric Island is a special oasis in the middle of Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, which is why it's protected by The Nature Conservancy as a Nature Preserve.
Ritter Farms in Marked Tree grows a lot of crops, but sunflowers are the main attraction. Their crop of sunshine is available in various retail outlets. A tree house that cost 1.8 million dollars is got to be something extra special. –And that it is, at the Great Tree House Adventure at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs. Lee Creek Reservoir Recreation Area near Van Buren offers fishing, boating, hiking and mountain biking. La Petite Roche Plaza in Little Rock features the “little rock” of the capital city's namesake plus the Junction pedestrian-cycling bridge. The Bridge Rock Trail at Shoal Bay Park along Lake Dardanelle, features a wonderful sandstone natural bridge.
Multi-state fiddle champion Mary Parker of Mountain View began playing fiddle at the age of 5; she now plays six musical instruments plus sings and dances – and yes, she's making quite a name for herself around the country. Village Creek State Park near Forrest City has not one, but two lakes that are popular with anglers and kayakers. The Wings of Honor museum preserves the history of the Walnut Ridge Army Air Field, which was one of seven Army flying schools in Arkansas during World War II. They are a phenomenon near "Y" City in west Arkansas – huge boulders called "erratics" that really don't belong there because of age difference and composition compared to the local shale and sandstone outcrops.
Join Chuck Dovish as he begins the new year admiring a 15 year-old who plays and makes fiddles, visiting an African-American schoolhouse from the early 1900's, enjoying a scenic drive through fall foliage, biking some off-road trails, and eating incredible food.
The latest addition to Arkansas' system of Natural Areas is Rattlesnake Ridge west of Little Rock. It happens to be the eastern-most point of the Western Diamondback rattlesnake. The only remaining free-standing art deco Greyhound Bus depot, from the days of "&hellipsleave the driving to us" is now a museum in Blytheville. North America's largest waterfowl is the Trumpeter Swan. More than a hundred migrate to Heber Springs every year for their winter vacation home. The art of blacksmithing is alive and well in Mountain View, where Stone County Ironworks creates heirloom pieces inside "America's Blacksmith Shop."
Arkansas's version of "Jurassic Park" is at Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs. Called "DinoTrek" it's the state's only permanent outdoor dinosaur exhibit. "Tilting Rock" as the locals call it, overlooks Big Creek valley near Cozahome. The 14-ton slab of rock really does tilt back and forth when you walk on it. Blowing Cave near Batesville has a sci-fi history dating back to the 1940's and 50's involving a secret subterranean culture. Banjo builder Randall Wyatt of Searcy has made 'em for some of Nashville's best, and he can play a mean banjo himself as well. They're not always there every year, but when they do arrive to winter on Lake Conway, the white pelicans make for quite a photographic treat.
Madison County Wildlife Management Area south of Eureka Springs has several really impressive waterfalls. A couple of them are featured in this segment – Road 299 Falls and Glory B Falls. The 1886 Concord one room schoolhouse east of Eureka Springs is but a handful of such structures still standing in the state. The Newton House Museum in El Dorado happens to be the only antebellum home in that town that's open to the public. Searcy is the recent winner of a national small business revolution competition that involved literally thousands of entries. Segment looks into what exactly makes the town so successful.
Originally built during the old WPA days under President Roosevelt, Lake Atalanta in Rogers is undergoing a revitalization with a whole new generation enjoying its waters. Snake World just outside of Berryville is one man's creation with about eighty venomous and non-venomous snakes – that's much more than at the Little Rock Zoo! Dardanelle Rock and Council Oaks are two historic landmarks along the Arkansas River. One is a lookout point and Natural Area, and the other is where a treaty was signed under two towering oak trees, in which the Cherokees gave up their lands south of the Arkansas River. The ATV trails in Fairfield Bay provide high adventure, and lead to some scenic waterfalls.
Host Chuck Dovish takes a special look at Arkansas's six national parks in this one hour presentation From Hot Springs, which was actually the first federal reservation set aside in 1832 to protect a natural resource… to America's first national river the Buffalo National RiveRiver. to Pea Ridge National Military Park… to Arkansas Post National Memorial… to Fort Smith and Central High National Historic Sites-you don't have to go far to experience your America in the Natural State.
On the 40th anniversary of the dedication of the Buffalo River as America's first national river, this special edition of Exploring Arkansas will take you on a john-boat float trip down the middle portion of the river where two unique rock formations can be explored -- the "Nars"and Skull Bluff. Program concludes with a hike along one of Arkansas's premier hiking trails -- the Goat Trail which meanders along 500 foot-tall Big Bluff in the Buffalo's upper portion. Learn more about Exploring Arkansas at http://www.aetn.org/exploringarkansas
Through these unique homes, visitors can experience the plantation culture of the nineteenth century, which illuminated the rich historical and cultural heritage of the American South and the habits and traditions of its people, along with the triumphs and tragedies of its past,all preserved to come alive for present and future generations. We’ll take you on a tour of the Lakeport Plantation near Lake Village – the only remaining Arkansas antebellum plantation home along the Mississippi River. Also, we’ll visit the Elms Plantation in Altheimer, which is actually a bed and breakfast inn. The tour concludes with what is known as “a mansion of Arkansas” – Marlsgate Plantation Mansion in Scott. Experience the plantation homes of Arkansas that have not … gone with the wind.
Tune in to dive into The Natural State's rich country music history with visits to see Historic Dyess Colony: Johnny Cash Boyhood Home; Arkansas Living Treasure and fiddle maker and player Violet Hensley; Mountain View, Arkansas, bluegrass prodigy Mary Parker; and Searcy, Arkansas, banjo builder Randall Wyatt!
“Exploring Arkansas: Trails Less Traveled,” featuring host Chuck Dovish highlighting less-trafficked hiking and waterway options to experience safely while observing social distance, will premiere Sunday, June 7, at 5:30 p.m. on Arkansas PBS.
Chuck Dovish guides viewers to his 12 favorite places to cool off during a hot summer in “Exploring Arkansas: Natural State Swimmin’ Holes.” Viewers are invited to explore the following 12 locations in this new Exploring Arkansas special!
