17 rims
I recently discovered a lake on the map about an hours drive from me. Beaver Lake is the newest of the Great Lakes of the White River. It covers 70 some miles through the Ozark Mountains. What started out as a day trip turned into 3 day tour. But was well worth it . I have 3 children, and planning a getaway is very difficult , you can only research so much on-line, so I opted to map it myself. So if your single or have a family, or you love to ride a motorcycle , I have a great trip for you . Here's my story.
Day 1 , I started out with a map and a tent and I was good to go. There is many routes to take to get to Beaver Lake.From North take 71 hwy. to 12 in Rogers , this takes you to Prairie Creek State Park and then on to Rocky Branch Park. If you have a big family I suggest Prairie Creek , there's a huge beach and large picnic areas. We stayed here last year and the kids loved it. We took out the pontoon all day, there are lots of private coves and the lake is crystal clear and beautiful. Many a boats on the lake start a 4 of July parade, they go all out ,decorating there boats in full color. You'll see everything from houseboats to yachts its like a huge party on the lake. Any how for my trip headed to Spring Dale and took 264 to check out Hickory Creek. Here there is 61 campsites ,37 of which can be reserved. There's full service Marina for all your fishing and boating needs and can fish right off the banks.
Now I'm off to check out the area of War Eagle. Back tracking to 71 then down to 412 then ventured through Senora, Nob Hill then over to Spring Valley then headed north on 303. The War Eagle Mill is a must see,It's a real working 18 foot water powered grist mill. Here you can get whole foods,flours mixes,jams,jellies,crafts,knives. There's also a restaurant called Bean Palace to get your belly full. If you plan on spending a while here, I suggest checking out War Eagle Cavern, you'll enjoy a scenic stroll along side the shores of Beaver Lake checking out the towering domes and cave formations,you can also pan for gemstones. Well on my way out you have to cross the bridge, it's an old rickety wooden bridge, you'll just have to cross it to get the full effect,headed now for Hobbs State Park- Conservation Area. Arkansas largest state park covering 12,045 acres along the shorelines of Beaver Lake.
If you or your family are true outdoors man then this is the place to be. The park offers a few hiking trails for the novice or the skilled, lets start with Pigeon Roost Trail. This is an 8 and half mile hike in a figure 8 pattern giving you 4 mile loops. The trail is awesome giving you breathtaking views overlooking Beaver Lake, and campsites are marked with tent pads and fire ring to use, also are the more primitive sites(my choice) that give you lake views. There's nothing like waking up to the fresh air produced here. Next there's Shaddox Hollow Trail a mile and a half hike but can be quite strenuous in places because of some steep descents but has some great limestone bluffs. Then there is the Historic Van Winkle Trail that takes hikers through a tunnel under state hwy 12. Peter Van Winkle of the 1800's acquired some 17,000 acres in his day, you'll see his home, lumber mill and an antebellum garden he maintained during his time. OK now the big one, Hidden Diversity Trail a 16 mile heavily wooded trail covering ridges, rims hilltops and drops in access of 300 feet . All can be covered by hiking , biking, or horseback. Well it's getting late now so i had better head for camp, my choice for tonight is Rocky Branch Park. There's over 30 camp sites, my three favorite's are 39 if you like privacy with your family, or for two families I suggest renting out lots 1 and 2, These two spots are private and right on the waters edge. There's a marina next door to get your fishing supplies, then launch your boat and dock right in front
of campsite.
Day 2, What a great time I'm having, I got up today made some coffee and mapped out my trip for today. I kept hearing about the scenic route 12 and Eureka springs was my next destination so off I was. Well they weren't lying hwy 12 was beautiful I took my top off the Geo and just cruised. Time nearly stopped for me it was so breathtaking to see the vast openness of land and mountains. I hopped on 127 then to 23 then upward to Eureka. What a great town, there's endless to door's here. Some notables is the Great Passion Play, Jamborees,a real Hoe-Down Theater. I recommend the Hoe-Down, and if your a biker you can join ponytail and the hoe-down gang on a scenic ride around Eureka Springs, if not then just hop on a trolley and enjoy the ride. During the week of the 4th you can enjoy opera in the Ozarks then the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge puts on a fireworks extravaganza. Also check out some local pubs, like the Pied Piper pub and Inn,Balcony Bar Restaurant, Rowdy Beaver's Tavern, and my favorite Shaw bees Big Dawg Saloon. There's also lots of shops and antiques stores to visit, needless to say I spent the whole day here.Well it was time to think about sleeping arrangements so I noticed signs earlier about the Dam Site campground so I knew where I was headed, but for those who want to stay in town there are numerous bed and breakfasts to stay at . Now I took 62 to 187 down to the Dam site and I have to say it was a spectacular site. This campground offers two sides to camp, one is for RV and tent with electric hookups and the other is for primitive tenting, that's where I chose it has the biggest Pine trees I have ever seen with a creek just a few skips away for fishing or that late night nip.
Day 3, I had noticed a little sandwich and coffee shop yesterday that had free wiifi and thought it would be great to start my day out there. So ventured back to town to plan the day before me. While drinking some delicious gourmet coffee I got out my map, there's 3 more parks to cover. Indian Creek, Lost Bridge, Then
Prairie Creek. So off I was to Indian Creek via 113 or dam site rd. this was a beautiful road full of scenery now hitting Indian Creek rd I headed down. This site was OK but I didn't care for it to much so I won't go into any details about this place. So I now ventured to Lost Bridge Park, now this place was great, crystal clear waters great fishing and swimming, and two hiking trials one of witch is 5 miles. Truly a peaceful stress relieving stay and would recommend this place to anyone. Now I'm off to Prairie Creek via 127 to 62 then to 12 by Rogers just look for the Prairie Creek Park exit. We often come here with our boat . It's got a great beach picnic area and plenty of camping. There's a huge boat launching area so you never wait to long to put in and your real close to town if you need a few things. The local here put on a good fireworks show too , so you won't feel like you missed a thing.
