Tag: Arkansas outdoors

Woolly Hollow Cabin at Woolly Hollow State Park in Greenbriar, Arkansas

#1 Arkansas State Park Itinerary: Club 52 Journey

July 31, 2024

At the end of 2022, Arkansas State Parks introduced Club 52, a reward program for those participating in their Arkansas State Park Passport Program. The Passport Program was created to encourage Arkansans to visit their state parks. As a way to document which parks they have visited, visitors receive a stamp at each park. Club 52 puts more fun into the state park journey, as you can collect prizes for a certain number of stamps collected. Families all over the state have enjoyed and are enjoying achieving each level of prizes. The ultimate goal is to visit all 52 Arkansas State Parks. Thankfully, there is no time limit and visitors can complete (or not complete) their passport at their leisure.

So, what is the best way to complete your Arkansas State Park Passport? Follow our State Park Itineraries for the best way to maximize your passport! Please note that this series of itineraries starts from Little Rock since the center of the state is just outside of city limits.

To start our state park passport, there are actually a few parks in the Little Rock area. So, we are going to start our journey at Pinnacle Mountain State Park.

Directions from the Little Rock city center:

  • Take I-630 W
  • Take Exit 8B to merge onto I-430 N
  • Take Exit 9 for AR-10 W/Cantrell Rd.
  • Follow AR-10 W/Cantrell Rd.
  • Turn right onto Pinnacle Valley Rd.
  • Follow Pinnacle Valley Rd to Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Stop 1: Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Pinnacle Mountain is the centerpiece of this state park. There are plenty of outdoor activities here, with the Big and Little Maumelle Rivers, Arkansas Arboretum, 22 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, and interpretive programs. They recently built a new visitor center that is host to Loblolly Outpost.

While you are here, be sure to at least hike to the top of Pinnacle Mountain. It is a rocky hike that leads down the mountain and then up it. Remember to take plenty of water if you are hiking in the summer! The view from the top is amazing and there is even a bench for you to catch your breath. Along the way, you’ll walk over bridges and creeks as you navigate the semi-rocky ground. Even though the trail is well established, it is also clearly marked on the trees.

Not only can you get your State Park Passport stamp here, but you can also get a Trail of Tears stamp. Pinnacle Mountain State Park is a certified Trail of Tears National Historic Site as it saw the removal of the Cherokees, Choctaws, Creeks, Seminoles, and Chickasaws. Please note that there is not a Trail of Tears passport book like there is an Arkansas State Park and National State Park Passport Book. A very nice interpreter encouraged me to use a Trail of Tears brochure for my stamps, as stamps can be geographically placed on the map inside. That is how I collect and store my Trail of Tears stamps, so you will need to figure out a system that works best for you.

Stop 2: Lunch

After leaving Pinnacle Mountain State Park, we are going to back track just a little for lunch and then route to just over an hour north to Woolly Hollow State Park. But first, we are stopping for lunch at Rosalinda’s Restaurant, a very delicious and causal Honduran restaurant.

Directions to Rosalinda’s Restaurant from Pinnacle Mountain State Park:

  • Head southeast on Pinnacle Valley Rd.
  • Turn left onto AR-10 E/Cantrell Rd.
  • Take ramp onto I-430 N
  • Take exit 13A to merge onto I-40 E toward Memphis
  • Take exit 152 for AR-365/MacArthur Dr. toward Pike Avenue
  • Follow AR-365/MacArthur Dr.
  • Turn right onto Doyle Venable Dr.
  • Turn right onto Burks Avenue
  • Turn left onto W 33rd St.
  • Turn left onto Schaer St.
  • Turn right
  • Turn right
  • Rosalinda’s Restaurant will be on the left

After eating lunch, we are going to continue to our next state park – Woolly Hollow State Park.

Directions from Rosalinda’s Restaurant to Woolly Hollow State Park:

  • Head west toward Schaer St
  • Turn left toward Schaer St
  • Turn right onto Schaer St
  • Turn right onto Camp Robinson Rd
  • Turn left onto W 37th St
  • Continue onto Doyle Venable Dr
  • Take ramp onto I-40 W
  • Take exit 125 to merge onto US-65N/Skyline Dr
  • Follow US-65 N
  • Turn right onto Hwy 285 E
  • Turn left onto Woolly Hollow Rd.

Stop 3: Woolly Hollow State Park

One of the things that I love most about Woolly Hollow State Park is their visitor center. This is the only state park where I have seen a completely park branded gift shop. Almost every single thing was branded Woolly Hollow, and it was such a neat experience. Things may have changed since I was there last, though.

Anyway, Woolly Hollow State Park is the perfect day trip. Everything here is centered around being outdoors. The park offers camping, fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, and biking. Located in Greenbrier, it feels like you are in your own little world when visiting.

Built in the 1930s, the 40-acre Lake Bennett was the Soil Conservation Service’s first watershed project. The park offers canoe, kayak, and pedal boat rentals for visitors to explore on the water. Also unique to this state park is that it is host to Woolly Hollow Cabin, an original 1882 one-room family homestead. While the park offers several hiking trails, the cabin is located just behind the visitor center and very easily be walked up to from the road. At the cabin, you’ll cross a bridge that is a great place for a photo opportunity. Do not forget to check out the well located next to the cabin.

Woolly Hollow State Park is best visited in the spring and summer before the dry season. When Arkansas enters its dry season, the lake will be too low, and you will not be able to enjoy it. However, if you are just state parkin’ and collecting stamps, then visiting any time of the year will be rewarding.

After your stop at Woolly Hollow State Park, you can choose to camp overnight (or the weekend) and enjoy the first day of Arkansas State Parkin’ or head on back home. At the end of the day, you should be going home with:

2 state park stamps

1 Trail of Tears stamp

What was your favorite part of the day?

Pine Bluff Regional Park in Pine Bluff, Arkansas

5+ Outdoor Things to Do in Pine Bluff

July 17, 2024

Incorporated in 1839, Pine Bluff is a unique place to visit. Located along the Arkansas River, the city used to thrive as a cotton center and river port. Its unique geography places the city along the boundary line of the West Gulf Coastal Plain and the Delta. The area contains much history, as it has seen the removal of Native Indians during the Trail of Tears, the October 1863 Attack on Pine Bluff, plays a role in music history, and has a heritage in Civil Rights.

Pine Bluff is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts to explore nature and enjoy outdoor activities. The city is host to nineteen parks and a plethora of rivers and lakes! The Delta Family Adventure Trail in Pine Bluff encompasses the city’s many experiences inside and outdoors. Check out just a few of the family (and adult) friendly things to do outdoors in Pine Bluff in the list below. All things listed below are free, so be sure to eat and shop in Pine Bluff to show your appreciation and support for providing these activities to the public.

AGFC Nature Center

The Governor Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center is a great place to learn about the Delta’s heritage and the wildlife and ecology that make up the Delta. The center offers visitors a 22,000-gallon aquarium, native reptiles and American alligators in two ponds, and native birds of prey in an outdoor exhibit.

The center offers 130 acres of forest and is surrounded by a bayou and lake. With over two miles of hiking trails, there is plenty of wildlife to encounter. The main trail, Discovery Loop, is a short half-mile paved and ADA accessible trail. Whitetail Trail is a shorter trail that is also paved. The other trails are primitive and not paved.

In addition to nature, the center also offers a 3D Archery Range that gives visitors the opportunity to practice shooting from different distances. There are 20 targets in different sizes of game.

Please be aware that Delta Rivers Nature Center is not pet friendly. Picking flowers and plants is also not allowed.

Murals of Downtown Pine Bluff

Just driving around Pine Bluff’s downtown area will attract your attention to the large wall murals on many of the downtown buildings. The mural tour can easily be explored on foot as it is a short distance between the murals. The murals depict different aspects of the area’s history over the past 200 years. While they are all uniquely curated, some are more educational in content.

Along the tour, you will find an entertainment park with plenty of tables and shade for resting or a picnic. Also, while walking the downtown streets viewing murals on the tour, be sure to stop by the Pine Bluff Veterans Memorial for another large mural spanning the side of a building.

Bayou Bartholomew

Flowing roughly 364 miles, Bayou Bartholomew is the longest bayou in the world. Beginning in Pine Bluff, the bayou joins the Ouachita River in Louisiana. It is the second most diverse stream in North America as it contains over 117 documented species of fish. Lined with tupelo and cypress swamps, the bayou is home to an entire ecosystem of nature and wildlife. Turtles and alligators are known to make their home in the bayou.

The bayou is the perfect place for fishing, canoeing, or kayaking. For an ultimate lazy river experience, launch your kayak at the Dr. Curtis Merrill Access.

Bayou Bartholomew is a parent stream of Byrd Lake, an Arkansas Natural Area that represents the boundary between the Coastal Plain and Mississippi Plain. Byrd Lake Nature Trail offers an easy and ADA accessible hiking trail loops visitors through a bottomland mixed pine-hardwood forest. An overlook of the lake and viewing benches are available on the trail. This trail is located off Main Street. More information on its location can be found here.

Saracen Landing All-Inclusive Playground

If you are visiting Pine Bluff with your family or children, the Saracen Landing All-Inclusive Playground is a good place to bring the kids to play and run off some energy. This playground was thoughtfully designed to provide a safe place for kids of all abilities to play alone and/or with other kids. The park’s equipment is mostly sensory.

See, feel, discover and play together!

Pine Bluff Parks & Recreatonal Department

Harbor Oaks Golf Club and Restaurant

Located at Pine Bluff’s Regional Park, the Harbor Oaks Golf Club reopened last year. Voted one of the top 10 public golf courses in the state of Arkansas, there is also an award-winning restaurant and conference center on site. Offering its guests an 18-hole golf course, Harbor Oaks is a challenging par 72. Facilities also include a chipping and putting green, practice bunker, and 25 hitting stations on the practice range.

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has a partnership with Harbor Oaks that allows the U of A golf team to host all home and dual tournaments at the Harbor Oaks Golf Course.

For more information on things to do and what Pine Bluff offers, make a stop at their Visitor’s Center (623 S. Main Street). Located in a historical building, it is a great place to learn about Pine Bluff’s history, as well.

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

Spring River Dam at Mammoth Spring State Park in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas

5+ Family Friendly Things To Do In Mammoth Spring

June 14, 2024

My parents got a divorce when I was a little girl. While it was a good thing for my parents, it was not something that was easy to handle – even in adulthood. My brother and I might have gotten two Christmas’s, but the “fun” of being a part of two households ended there and I dreaded Christmas time.

My dad’s entire life has been spent in Mammoth Spring. So, after the divorce, he stayed in the area and my mom moved away. Mammoth Spring has always been what I consider to be a small town with its own culture. Everyone knows each other because no one moved off after high school graduation, so gossip runs rampant (among the locals and only about the locals). Main Street was a traditional dying downtown that was in desperate need of restoration. And the worst part of my childhood in Mammoth was spending every single weekend on the Spring River. I literally hated the river, being in my swimsuit, and forced to “swim” or “play” in the river. All my childhood memories of the place were painted grey because of the divorce situation.

As an adult, though, things are very different. I only got to experience the environment that my dad created, which was not the best. So, I saw all the rough spots of the area and barely any of its good, attractive qualities. One of the only good spots we got to enjoy as kids was Mammoth Spring State Park, which was a gold mine for us kids! Now, I love going back to Mammoth just to enjoy how wonderful of a place it is to visit!

The Town of Mammoth Spring

Located on the border of Thayer, Missouri, Mammoth Spring is a very unique town. It offers an abundance of shopping, dining, and recreational activities for everyone in the family. Named after one of the world’s largest springs, Mammoth Spring (the spring) is known for its trout fishing.

Founded in 1883, a strategy to grow the town was created. So, the town was promoted to Memphis investors as a site for manufacturing operations, which would create industry, money, and new residents. During this time, Napoleon Hill, a Memphis millionaire, built an upscale resort hotel in Mammoth Spring. His hotel, The Nettleton, is said to have rivaled any hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It operated from 1899 to 1932, when the hotel was sadly destroyed by a fire and never rebuilt.

Since the town borders Missouri, they get a lot of traffic from travelers. While it is hard to miss the Arkansas Welcome Center and Mammoth Spring State Park, it is easy to miss the great things to do in town if you do not plan a day or weekend trip to stay and play. Listed below are some of Mammoth Spring’s most notable and family friendly reactional activities that are worth experiencing. While visiting these places and exploring Mammoth Spring, do not forget to go into town and enjoy their local dining options, shop the antique stores and boutiques, and take amazing family pictures (or selfies) in this nature-filled town.

Arkansas Welcome Center

Located at Mammoth Spring State Park, the Welcome Center is a great place to stop for brochures and information on places all over the state of Arkansas! They have a little gift shop inside if you need to pick something up on your visit. If you have your Arkansas Historic Preservation Program passport, you can get it stamped at the Welcome Center.

After browsing the Welcome Center, do not forget to take your journey outside to Mammoth Spring State Park.

Mammoth Spring State Park

Mammoth Spring is a National Natural Landmark, as it is the world’s 10th largest spring. The spring has nine million gallons of water that flow every hour. Mammoth Spring State Park consists of a 10-acre lake, remnants of a mill and hydroelectric plant, 1886 Frisco train depot and museum, walking trail, playground, picnic area, baseball field, Civil War cannon, Arkansas Welcome Center, and gift shop.

The 1886 Frisco Depot Museum is the oldest railroad station in the state and open to the public. Inside the museum, you’ll be transported back to the early 1900s, where custom-sculpted lifelike figures portray train passengers, crew, and depot crew. Located next to the museum is a Frisco caboose that is also open for tours.

Both the Mammoth Spring Dam and Lake and the Kansas City, Fort Scott, and Memphis Railroad Depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Not only can you get a stamp for your State Park passport but also your Arkansas Historic Preservation Program passport at the Welcome Center.

Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery

Established in 1903, Mammoth Spring NFS is one of the oldest National Fish Hatcheries in the country. They raise aquatic species for both conservation and recreation purposes. The Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery was built in this location due to the availability of the cool flowing water from Mammoth Spring. The hatchery offers an Aquatic Conservation Center and Aquarium for visitors to enjoy. Regular outreach events are offered for educational purposes.

The Spring River

If you are an outdoorsy person, then you will love Spring River! Since the river is fed by Mammoth Spring, it is a popular destination year-round due to its dependability. You can float, canoe, and/or kayak on the cold river that attracts people every year to camp, fish, swim, and play. There are several campgrounds and outfitters on the river that provide put-in/out service and transportation back to your vehicle. Stay the weekend and camp on the campgrounds, make new friends, party or keep your trip family friendly. In the right places, the river can offer swimming. But get proper guidance and information before getting out on the water, because Spring River has strong currents and can cause serious accidents if not careful.

Walnut Valley Farms

Walnut Valley Farms provides a unique farm experience to everyone who visits. They are a small family farm that specializes in pastured lamb. The family revitalized a 100-year-old farm that now hosts Spring Lamb Days and Christmas on the Farm, where you can hold baby lambs, get your picture taken with them, and shop local vendors. The farm is also available as a venue for events. Be sure to contact them if you want to learn more about sheep farming!

Jim Hinkle/Spring River State Fish Hatchery

The Jim Hinkle State Fish Hatchery produces more than 1 million rainbow trout every year. The trout are distributed in the Spring River, Blanchard Spring, Bull Shoals and Greers Ferry tailwaters, South Arkansas trout waters, and the Family and Community Fishing Program’s seasonal trout ponds. They are open for tours and host a kids fishing derby every year.

Have you ever visited Mammoth Spring or camped on the Spring River? Tell us about your trip!

Mary Ann Richter Overlook at Petit Jean State Park in Morrilton, Arkansas

Arkansas’s Most Popular (And First) State Park: Petit Jean State Park

June 12, 2024

My mom has always wanted to visit Petit Jean State Park. In all our adventures when I was a little girl, I am surprised my family had never visited. So, one day we just randomly decided to take off for Petit Jean the next morning!

Honestly, I do not understand why Petit Jean is such a popular tourist attraction. I understand that there are amazing scenic views, waterfalls, the geology is unique, and the mountain has much history. But I feel like everywhere has beauty, history, uniqueness, and can be a waterfall with the right runoff. Regardless, I did really enjoy our visit and learning about its history. It is a place that we intend to go back and visit again (and probably again). So, my lack of understanding its popularity is not going to keep us away from such a beautiful and bountiful state park.

What Makes Petit Jean State Park So Popular (Things to Do)

As Arkansas’s first state park, Petit Jean embodies everything that anyone could hope for in a state park. With less than 3,000 acres, there is plenty of history, hiking, lake activities, lodging, a restaurant, outdoor activities, scenic views, and more that entice people from all over the nation to visit. When Cedar Falls is flowing well, tourism peaks to see its beauty. Natural bridges, creeks, and unique rock formations can be found along the hiking trails.

The most renowned of all the waterfalls at this state park is Cedar Falls, which is on the front of most publications. Cascading 95-feet down over a rocky cliff, this waterfall is one of the most photographed in the state! If you are an experienced hiker, the trail down to the bottom of the falls is quite a rocky experience. For us lazy (or handicapped) people, there is a scenic overlook that consists of a long barrier free boardwalk that leads to an open viewing area. You can even hike down to the falls from this point, as well.

Unique geology and rock formations can be found along trails like Seven Hollows. If you are interested in pictographs, be sure to venture down the Rock House Cave Trail.  For a short, easy hike through gigantic sandstone boulders, journey along Bear Cave Trail. On your way to Cedar Falls, take the long route on Cedar Creek Canyon Trail to see more falls and deep pools. Cedar Creek Trail is located above Cedar Falls and will guide you around the top of the waterfall. To see all the park’s nature and wildlife, you will have to be an experienced hiker to trek along the 12-mile Winthrop P. Rockefeller Boy Scout Trail. For a trail that connects park amenities with overlooks, grab a bike or hike the CCC Hike & Bike Trail.

YMCA College Lodge rock ruins at Stout's Point Overlook at Petit Jean State Park in Morrilton, Arkansas

Petit Jean Mountain rises 1,120 feet above the Arkansas River Valley. While no vantage point is any better than the other, the park does have many overlooks that provide a grand view over the valley. Stout’s Point is one of my favorites, as it provides the history of Petit Jean, her gravesite, a fantastic view of the Arkansas River and portion of the Trail of Tears route and has an old YMCA building at this site. A barrier free walkway guides you along the top of the overlook. However, the camp building and Petit Jean’s gravesite must be walked to on rocky ground. While there are other vantage points, the Mary Ann Richter Overlook is a great place to stop at to see Mount Nebo and Mount Magazine. Lastly, the Cedar Falls Overlook provides a barrier free walkway to see the famous Cedar Falls waterfall.

The state park has quite a bit of amenities for people to enjoy. They offer lodging in cabins, Mather Lodge, campsites, and yurts. Mather Lodge holds a lot of history, being the only lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the entire state. Built of native log and stone, the Lodge sits on the bluffs overlooking Cedar Creek Canyon. The restaurant provides the perfect setting to enjoy the 1930s lodge and canyon views.

In addition to hiking, Petit Jean State Park is host to an airport, amphitheater, swimming pools, basketball and tennis court, playgrounds, and more! A boat launch ramp provides access to a lake where you can fish, kayak, and more.

Furthermore, the park is a certified Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Site. In the 1830s, Cherokee Indians and Southeastern tribes experienced a forced migration to Oklahoma along the Arkansas River. The Trail of Tears route included both land and river routes. River routes were often faster and the Arkansas River played an instrumental role in the Indian removal.

How Petit Jean Mountain Got Its Name

Petit Jean Mountain was named after Adrienne Dumont, a young 18th century French woman, who did not like being told no. When her fiancé, Chavet, set off to explore the Louisiana Territory in the New World, she decided to find a way to join him on his voyage. So, she cut her hair and disguised herself as a boy in order to find passage on his ship. The voyage was long and hard, and she was lucky to have survived being a lowly cabin boy. When they neared the mountain, the woman became gravely ill. In her helpless state, it was discovered that she was actually a woman. Her dying wish was to be buried high upon the mountain overlooking the river. Set to marry Adrienne when he returned from the New Worl,d Chavet’s love for her remains today in her burial site on the mountain top and in the naming of the mountain. She was buried under her name on the ship – Petit Jean (Little John).

However, there is much debate on this story being true or not. The preserved burial site is even debatable becuase no one knows anything about where she was actually buried or if she was even buried on top of the mountain. It was just a mound of dirt that we suppose is the site and has since been preserved. But the story is romantic in nature and it is nice to think that it is a true story.

Other theories about the mountain’s name include being named after a local hunter/trapper named Little John that was killed by the Osage Indians in 1732. Another theory on the name comes from the 19th century name for Petit Jean River – Petit Juane. So, whichever story you believe is entirely up to you!

Becoming An Arkansas State Park

Evidence suggests that Native American Indians inhabited the mountain 1,000 years ago. There is also evidence of 100 documented archeological sites and the largest rock art collection in the state. In the 1840s, the first permanent white settlers moved to the area. In 1891, a large mansion was built on the mountain overlooking the Arkansas River and was later converted into Hotel Petit Jean. The property was sold in the 1920s and donated to the Young Men’s Christian Academy. They built several more buildings, in which the rock ruins of the College Lodge can be seen at Stout’s Point Overlook.

In 1906, Dr. Thomas William Hardison explored the rugged area of Petit Jean Mountain and fell in love with its beauty. Pursuing making the mountain a national park, it was declined in 1921 because the land was too small and not unique enough in the United States to be a national park. It was suggested that the proposal be sent to the state to be declared a state park. So, in 1923, the state legislature passed Act 276, which recognized donated lands reserved to be a part of a park and designating Petit Jean as Arkansas’s first state park. In 1927, Act 172 created the Arkansas State Parks Commission and gave them the authority to acquire and oversee land to be reserved as a state park.

Beginning in 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps began constructing facilities like roads, trails, dams, cabins, and Mather Lodge on Petit Jean Mountain. Much of the park’s infrastructure is due to the CCC, as they built most of the park’s significant buildings. The Lodge, administration building, water treatment building, field chimney, and cabins are an example of their work. Roads were constructed to connect overlooks and trails, giving visitors access to more amenities. Trails were constructed for public use and enjoyment through the mountain’s natural beauty. With less than 3,000 acres, Petit Jean offered plenty to see and do and the CCC made sure the public could enjoy all that could be offered. As a result of their efforts, 26 properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, there is ample camping, hiking, and things to do that makes visiting more than just a day trip.

Nearby Attractions

Just down the road from the campsite is the Museum of Automobiles and the petting zoo Barnyard Friends & Stables. Nearby, in the greater area, is Lake Dardanelle State Park and Mount Nebo State Park. Further away is Mount Magazine State Park and the highest point in the state.

Where is your favorite place to visit or hike at Petit Jean State Park?

Mount Magazine State Park in Paris, Arkansas

Highpoint Monument At Mount Magazine State Park

May 29, 2024

My mom, dog, and I took a long road trip to Paris, Arkansas just to visit Mount Magazine State Park. Unfortunately, we arrived late in the evening and had to rush through the Visitor Center. While we still had plenty of daylight left, we certainly enjoyed the trip outdoors at the vantage points and the Lodge.

We started our trip to the mountain in awe of the scenic spots. After quickly browsing the gift shop, we started our way toward the hike up the rest of the mountain. A very nice gentleman at the Visitor Center’s desk helped us navigate to the Signal Hill Trail and even showed us the shortest trek to the top, which we were very thankful! It was either a 1.4 mile hike for two very tired and not up to the distance boring people or a short 0.4 mile hike that starts at a campground higher up the mountain. Thankfully, some poor soul took pity on those who did not want to hike that much just to be at that elevation and created a cutoff as close to the top as possible. This was surely progressive thinking and foresight for us lazy people!

Signal Hill Trail Hike

After finding the campground that resides closest to the top of the mountain, we made our way across the street and onto the hiking trail. The hike was quiet and entirely uphill – 153 feet uphill, to be exact. My mom quickly learned on this hike to find a steady pace and not put all her effort in at the beginning of the trail no matter what it looks like. On the other hand, Coco Puffs (my dog) had the time of her life! I have no idea why she likes rocky ground, hills, and forests so much, but it might have been due to the wildlife that Mount Magazine is home to. The state park is home to black bears, as well as smaller mammals and critters. Thankfully, we avoided wildlife, poison ivy, and all the things that are just not fun to run into, especially with an overly curious dog.  

It did not take us too long to reach the top of Signal Hill Trail. I am not sure what I was thinking, but my expectations created a moment of disappointment. If you expect to have a vantage point at the top, you will be just as disappointed as me. At the top of Signal Hill Trail was a small, cleared area with a couple benches, logbook, information sign, and a large stone Arkansas map. Surrounding the area was a vast forest of trees, plants, and wildlife. There are no views of the surrounding landscape, so do not get excited about seeing the view from the top. However, despite our disappointment in there not being a scenic view, we were very pleased and fulfilled. It is something that I recommend everyone who visits does on their trip to this state park.

This Arkansas map is known as a highpoint monument. Constructed in 2003, it is made from approximately 400 square feet of stone and mortar. Signal Hill information states that the map shows the six natural regions of the state by the stones that were chosen to reflect each region’s topography. Yet, my mom and I never figured out where the divisions were on the map. There were no clear distinctions to us (we are pretty unknowledgable about stones and topography), but we were able to estimate the regions.

If you are going to take pictures of the whole map, I highly suggest *cough*not*cough* standing on one of the benches and zooming out on your phone or camera. The map is quite large for a normal shot. I also suggest not taking selfies and having someone take a picture of you and the map, if you want the whole map in your picture.

Highpoint Monument

Signal Hill is known as the tallest point in Arkansas. With an elevation of 2,753 feet above Mean Sea Level, Mount Magazine is ranked 34th among state highpoints in the county. It is said that you can see as much as 1/8th of Arkansas at vantage points along the mountain’s rim on clear days. On foggy mornings, Mount Magazine can look as if it is an “Island in the Sky.”

The high point on Mount Magazine is reported to be higher than any point in 11 states (AL, IL, IN, IA, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, OH, WI). There’s two ways you can hike to its highest point – hike the whole trail or drive up the hill, park, and take a short hike the rest of the way. If you follow in our footsteps and take the short cut, you will not be disappointed. Regardless of which trail you hike, when you reach the top and take your selfies, you will leave with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Hiking to a state highpoint is just a neat experience worth doing.

Mount Magazine State Park

Its breathtaking views, renown lodge, and bountiful outdoor recreation make this state park a highly desired tourist attraction. Located in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, Mount Magazine State Park offers backpacking, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and ATV riding. It is the state park system’s most dramatic location for technical rock climbing. Some hiking trails border cliffs, so knowing how to rock climb can be a very good skill to have when visiting. Also, it is one of two parks that offer a hang-gliding launch area. While I am not brave enough for that, I can see how attractive hang-gliding would be just for the scenic view.

The Lodge at Mount Magazine offers breathtaking views, first-class facilities, a restaurant, and plenty of amenities. Its beautiful mountain setting makes it the ideal location for weddings, retreats, and corporate events. The backside of the Lodge offers plenty of walking, sitting areas, and sweeping views across the state’s landscape. The Lodge’s restaurant offers amazing food, which I think the view across Arkansas could easily persuade someone to fall in love with everything the Lodge has to offer. Mount Magazine is definitely a place for both relaxation and adventure.

Mount Magazine State Park has plenty of things to experience, but the view from vantage points and the Lodge warrants a long stay. Just down the mountain is Paris, which boasts its own points of interest to keep you busy for days. And on the other side of Paris is Subiaco and the Monastery that offers tours, a gift shop, and free lodging.

What is your favorite thing to do at Mount Magazine State Park?