Hot Springs National Park
From the Hot Springs Mountains water flows from 47 springs at the rate of approximately 800,000 gallons a day and at a temperature of 143 degrees Fahrenheit. For more than two centuries, people have flocked to this area in west central Arkansas to bathe in the hot waters. The hot mineral waters were believed to be a cure-all for illnesses and generally great for relaxing. Though Yellowstone National Park was the first official national park in the United States, Hot Springs was the first park designated for federal protection. In 1832, the Hot Springs Reservation was established. Official National Park status was granted in 1911. Hot Springs National Park is located on the north end of the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The park attracts more than 3.7 million visitors each year.
The first European to visit the area was Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto in 1541. It was called the “Valley of the Vapors” – named by the Native Americans. The local tribes had long used the springs and were a neutral ground of peace was always maintained in the land of the healing waters. It wasn’t until centuries later that Americans had both the time and the wealth for leisure and vacations. This spawned the birth of the bathhouses. Eight of these turn-of-the-century structures form “Bathhouse Row” and have been designated a National Historic Landmark within Hot Springs National Park. Of these eight bathhouses, only one, The Buckstaff, is in operation as a bathhouse. The Fordyce Bathhouse was renovated to serve as the
The Fordyce Bathhouse was the "grandest bathhouse" of the time. It has been remodeled to serve as the Hot Springs National Park visitor center and museum. At the Fordyce, guests can watch the movie about the park, “Valley of the Vapors”, and receive information on the park and the available tours. Other activities at the Hot Springs National Park include taking a stroll down the Grand Promenade or taking a relaxing bath at the Buckstaff Baths. The more adventurous can enjoy the 26 miles of hiking trails throughout the park.
The visitor center is open daily year round and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
The Ozark Folk Center State Park
The Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas is designed to preserve and honor a way of life that has long disappeared. Established in 1972 as an Arkansas State park, the Ozark Folk Center offers a glimpse at the life of the Ozark pioneers. Their way of is preserved and interpreted through Southern Mountain music and song, dance, craftsmanship, celebrations, and more. The result is a preserved piece of American history and culture. The Ozark Folk Center State Park contains a 1,060-seat music theater, 16 craft shops, a welcome center, a restaurant, a food outlet, and a conference center.
The “living museum” concept of the Ozark Folk Center State Park embodies live demonstrations, hands-on exhibits, and more. Folk music and smells of fresh baked goods fill the air and guests’ senses. Musicals celebrate the sounds and instruments common to the Ozark pioneers – the fiddle, banjo, dulcimer, and the guitar. The goal is to perpetuate and preserve the traditional folk music in the regular programs. Special music events in the American Roots Music Series celebrate other forms of music, including bluegrass, western, blues, and vintage country.
At the Crafts Village, visitors find a one-room schoolhouse, a log house, and an art gallery. Master craftsmen and craftswomen demonstrate furniture making, basket making, pottery, and more. Demonstrations by blacksmiths, broom makers, printers, and fine needleworkers are offered. Visitors can purchase the handmade crafts as a memento of their unique experience.
At the Ozark Folk Center, tradition is held up by commemorating the use of natural substances as part of the way of life, whether to offer fragrance, color, or food. An heirloom garden of culinary and fragrance herbs and medicinal plants of the 19th century are grown along a terraced hillside. Wildflowers, and plants for dyes and textiles, are also grown. Each month, special programs called Elderhostels feature folk themes with accompanying workshops, festivals, musical competitions, and more. Gospel concerts are held one a month on a Sunday evening. Holidays bring out festive, colorful celebrations at the Ozark Folk Center State Park.
Perched on a hill, the Skillet Restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the season. The restaurant is known for its natural scenic views of a butterfly garden, wildlife feeding stations, and a water garden that lures wildlife looking for a refreshing drink. The Ozark Folk Center Smokehouse features barbecued food, sandwiches, and desserts. The Craft Village, the Music Theater, and the restaurant are open Wednesday through Saturday from mid-May through the end of October. Tuesday and Sunday openings may be offered throughout the season.
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
The Ozark-St. Francis National Forests of Arkansas offers 1.2 million acres of play ground in one of American’s most picturesque areas. Since the 1930s, visitors have been drawn to the forest, Lake Wedington, and White Rock Mountain. Eastern Arkansas’ St. Francis National Forest covers over 22,600 acres. IT is one of the smallest national forests, but it is one of the most diverse. The St. Francis is home to a large variety of wildlife including whitetail deer, wild turkey, squirrel, raccoon, rabbit, and waterfowl. Storm Creek and Bear Creek Lakes, the St. Francis River and the Mississippi Rivers attract anglers to the area for striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and bream.
The name "Ozark" was the result of the regional pronunciation of the French term "Aux Arcs" (“with bows) that was given to the Bow Indian tribe by a French explorer. Part of the Boston Mountains, the Ozark Mountains are actually plateaus with rugged edges cut by swift rivers. In the spring, dogwood and redbud trees blossom, in autumn, the fall foliage is brilliant. The forest contains six national scenic byways that offer breathtaking views of the Ozarks. The forest offers camping and picnic sites, nine swimming beaches, eleven special interest areas, and five wilderness areas. Lakes and streams fill this mountain area in central and northwest Arkansas, and along the Mississippi River in eastern Arkansas.
Recreational opportunities include hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, floating, kayaking, boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, hunting, fishing, four-wheeler riding and taking pictures are just some of the activities people enjoy while visiting the forests. Each of the recreation areas, trails, wilderness areas or wild and scenic rivers provides unique opportunities to observe nature and enjoy your favorite outdoor activities from cavern tours to hunting black bear and white-tail deer.
The Ozark National Forest offers plenty of recreational trails. The Moccasin Gap Horse Trail, the Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail, and the Mill Creek Trail are open to hiking, bicycling, and off-highway vehicles. In total, there are 400 miles of hiking trails, including the 196-mile Ozark Highlands Trail.
The Blanchard Springs Caverns, located northwest of the town of Mountain View, is a local favorite. Tours are offered of the subterranean world. The Dripstone Tail Tour is available year round. On the trail, visitors will encounter nearly all types of calcite formations, from delicate, hollow soda straws to huge flowstones and stalagmites. The trail covers two major rooms in the upper level of the cavern. The massive Cathedral Room is large enough to hold more than three football fields. The snow-white formations in the Coral Room are pure calcite, the mineral that makes up limestone. The Giant Column is 70 ft tall, and one of the most impressive sites in the caverns. Other amazing attractions in the caverns include the Indian Feather, the Coral Pond with fragile lace-like patterns, draperies, popcorn crystal, stalactites, stalagmites, and a natural bridge of gravel.