Your favorite state parks
nerdieprofessor
Posts: 512 Member
We moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas about 18 months ago. This past fall we dusted off our old camping gear and when camping and hiking in several state parks within a reasonable drive. We love Arkansas state parks! So far we have camped and/or hiked, several times in some cases, in the following state parks: Mount Magazine, Mount Nebo, Petit Jean, Lake Ouachita, and Devil's Den.
We are open for more suggestions when the spring camping season rolls around (We aren't quite prepared for winter camping).
Which are your favorite state parks and why?
We are open for more suggestions when the spring camping season rolls around (We aren't quite prepared for winter camping).
Which are your favorite state parks and why?
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Unfortunately we have only been to the ones within a 2 hour drive from us and they have been Petit Jean and Lake Ouachita. We would love to go to Mt. Magazine and Mt. Nebo. I hear they have hang gliding at Magazine. That and sky diving interest me just never had the courage to do it, well the courage and met the weight limits.............yet......... We love hiking and are fixing to delve into the world of mountain biking.
Thanks for joining!!!!!0 -
Wayne,
We've seen hang gliders at both Mt. Magazine and Mt. Nebo. We have hiked at Nebo (LOVE LOVE LOVE), Petit Jean, and Magazine. All very lovely but very different from one another.0 -
I'm a mountain biker so those are the state parks I frequent. Some of my favs are:
Devil's Den, NW AR = great hiking and biking (caves are closed due to white nose bat disease), awesome camping with some cabins too
Syllamo Trail system, Mountain View, AR (Blanchard springs area) = again, amazing hiking and biking with breathtaking views over the White River, nationwide known hotspot for trout fishing, plenty of camping, many fishing lodges, Blanchard Springs Cavern, plus fun eclectic community of Mountain View
Queen Wilhelmina State Park, Mena, AR = more awesome biking and hiking, camping (don't know of any cabins) and a cool lodge on top of Wilhelmina
Lost Valley State Park, Harrison, AR = most gorgeous waterfalls ever viewed on shorter hikes but beautiful terrain, camping and cabins, canoeing along the Buffalo River
Hobbs State Park, NW AR = beautiful spring and fall hike/bike/horseback trail with lots of elevation change, Beaver Lake within 15 minutes with plenty of camping and cabins0 -
I'm a mountain biker so those are the state parks I frequent. Some of my favs are:
Devil's Den, NW AR = great hiking and biking (caves are closed due to white nose bat disease), awesome camping with some cabins too
Syllamo Trail system, Mountain View, AR (Blanchard springs area) = again, amazing hiking and biking with breathtaking views over the White River, nationwide known hotspot for trout fishing, plenty of camping, many fishing lodges, Blanchard Springs Cavern, plus fun eclectic community of Mountain View
Queen Wilhelmina State Park, Mena, AR = more awesome biking and hiking, camping (don't know of any cabins) and a cool lodge on top of Wilhelmina
Lost Valley State Park, Harrison, AR = most gorgeous waterfalls ever viewed on shorter hikes but beautiful terrain, camping and cabins, canoeing along the Buffalo River
Hobbs State Park, NW AR = beautiful spring and fall hike/bike/horseback trail with lots of elevation change, Beaver Lake within 15 minutes with plenty of camping and cabins
Queen Wilhelmina is next on our list. We haven't been there yet, but we will!
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Go to Queen Wilhelmina in the fall - its absolutely gorgeous!
Haven't heard of Lost Valley... around Harrison? Sounds great!0 -
I grew up in Mountainburg, so at least once a week we had to at least drive through Lake Fort Smith State Park. I miss the old park, but the new one is growing on me
We did most of our camping in Devil's Den, it's still my favorite! Petit Jean is probably my 2nd favorite.0 -
We've only been to Queen Wilhelmina, and that because we've been backpacking in the area. They have a lodge but it's closing in just a few days until summer 2013 due to renovations. You can still camp and hike there though. If you do want to go in the fall you have to make reservations months ahead. They're _very_ busy that time of year.0
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