Arkansas trip advice wanted

[Orrin]

In mid May, my girl friend and I are riding from Madison, Wisconsin to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. We plan on going through Kesaqua, Iowa and Camdenton, Missouri on the way down.

 

In Arkansas we plan on going white water rafting and staying in cabins at some of the state parks. We will then link up with a group of riders from Madison over at Mountain View.

 

Anybody have ideas of where to go rafting, and things to see and do on the way. It would be fun to meet some of you who are in the area.

 

I will be riding my RSTD and Linda will be riding her GW. We sort of like to stay in quaint hotels or B&Bs.

 

Thanks in advance for any and all input. I will try to return the favor when you get to Wisconsin.

[Missionary Rider]

Welcome to the Natural State. Too bad Brenda and I will be in Mexico while you are here. I'm sure some of the other Arkies will be around though.

 

There are so many things to see and do in Eureka Springs, Branson MO, and Mountain View, you will have trouble deciding. While in Mt. View, check out Blanchard Springs and be sure and make the weekend singing on the square. On Sunday, drop by and see my friends at Flatwoods Baptist Church. Lunch on catfish at Jodie's or Anglers's up Hway 5 just past the junction of Hway 9 (Both places have great catfish). While you're that close and if you lide curves, ride East on Hway 9 toward Melbourne for the crookedest road in Arkansas.

 

As for canoeing/white water rafting, check out this site: http://www.arkansas.com/outdoors/

 

For Arkansas State Parks, go to:

http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/

 

Other similar sites can be found online for B&Bs (too many to list - just google Arkansas Bed and Breakfasts)

 

BTW, if you've never done Scenic 7 from Harrison to Hot Springs you need to do that while you are in the area.

 

May is a great time to be here. Hope you have a blast!

Lynn

[cmiles3]

Won't be available, but check out Pig Trail from Eureka Springs to Ozark. Also, the route south of I40 across Magazine Mountain is great.

[Orrin]

Thanks, this is what I knew my family would come up with. Lookig to hearing from more of you.

[midnightventure]

Just south of Camdenton there is Hahatonka State park. It isn't very far off from 54. Has an old castle ruin that looks out over a spring that flows into Lake of the Ozarks. It is a left turn and I'm pretty sure there are signs pointing the way. What the people from Arkansas say about the Pig Trail is true. Great ride.

[Snarley Bill]

In mid May, my girl friend and I are riding from Madison, Wisconsin to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. We plan on going through Kesaqua, Iowa and Camdenton, Missouri on the way down.

 

In Arkansas we plan on going white water rafting and staying in cabins at some of the state parks. We will then link up with a group of riders from Madison over at Mountain View.

 

Anybody have ideas of where to go rafting, and things to see and do on the way. It would be fun to meet some of you who are in the area.

 

I will be riding my RSTD and Linda will be riding her GW. We sort of like to stay in quaint hotels or B&Bs.

 

Thanks in advance for any and all input. I will try to return the favor when you get to Wisconsin.

hey orrin, i'm having a meet and eat in st. charles mo. saturday, may 17th. should be a pretty good group here if you want to meet some of the folks, and work it into your trip. breakfast, followed by a good ride, and a big barbecue at my house. check under meet and eats for details. bill

[ctraylor]

I live in Mountain Home, AR and you'll probably pass through here. Give me a call and I'll show you around. The best place we have found to canoe is at Buffalo Point out of Yellville. It is about an 8 mile canoe ride and takes about 5 or 6 hours if the wate is not too high. In may the chances are that the water is pretty fast and the trip is easier. We purchased our own canoe to save money. I think they charge $45.00 for a canoe for the day and will take you up river and pick you up at the finish. There is a good camp ground called Bufalo Point that offers cabins for rent at a reasonable cost. Hell we might go with you. We used to go to Eureka Springs alot until the whole town was taken over by the gay community. Over 70% of the businesses in town are owned by gay and lesbians and once a month they have what is called a public display of affection. I am affraid to take my children there any more.

 

Give me a call,

Curtis Traylor

870-405-3693

[Orrin]

I will be getting in touch with you all real soon. Always fun to see what the other members have to say about their home areas.

[Guest KitCarson]

I will be getting in touch with you all real soon. Always fun to see what the other members have to say about their home areas.

Hey Orrin: The Arkansas Ozarks......some of Gods Country. It is one of the prettiest places on earth. When you get to Eureka Springs you will find a road called highway 23. If you have the time run it all the way down past Ft. Smith....it is not exactly the dragon......I think it is better...very, very scenic and has some nice mountainous hills through the Ozark National Forest and down to a little town called Ozark. Highway 71 from Fayetteville to Fort Smith is a nice scenic cruise too....for a larger road. lot of easy sweepers and just awe inspiring sights......

As for white water rafting and canoe trips....there is a lot of that......just have to pick one at the time you are there that fits your comfort level....you can go all the way from down the Kings River in a raft hanging on for dear life(the land of deliverance) or a gentle canoe ride down a lesser river.

As for Eureka Springs......when I got out of the military and went to find a job.....they gave me one.....a police officer at a little town close to there called Huntsvillle......this was like long time ago.......the police force at Eureka was two fellows at the time.....bike groups loved the place, used to have drag races in the main street.....bully the shop owners.....even held up some tourists at times.....so we used to be volunteered on weekends to go help out......used to lock our side arms up in the trunk so they could not get them in a scuffle.....and put about a dozen sets of handcuffs to use.

Was the home of the Bandito's and the Hells Angels would come to town...always a fight.

I think that has calmed down a lot now......they have a larger police force, more merchants......is more of a tourist town now.......and even back then a lot of less than normal people lived there.......

It is a very pretty place.....with the blue haze over the mountains early of a mid morning......lot of places to ride........but highway 23 is a pretty one. Several places there is no guard rail.....can look down about half a mile straight down in the middle of a curve...........

You will have a nice time.....and as I said.....I think Eureka Springs is a more civilized place now.......more folks around to help keep order with all the bike events that they have there.

[FJR Rider]

We used to live in Bentonville, and our youngest daughter and husband still in Lowell, so we're down there quite a bit. If you're looking for a fun ride, take 23 north out of Eureka Springs up to Eagle Rock Mo...I don't remember the number or letter of the road, but take the road from Eagle Rock to the Roaring River State Park...make sure you stop at the fish hatchery at Roaring River...then take MO 112 back to the southwest/west to Seligman MO, then 36 south to Gateway, and back on 62 east to Eureka Springs (you can divert a 2/3s of the way back and take a right out go out over the Beaver Lake Dam and back around to 62 and into Eureka Springs).

 

Makes for a nice ride, not a lot a miles, but beautiful scenery and great roads (and you'll definitely get your twistie fix in). We used to ride most of that route just for dinner rides out Bentonville (which is 35 miles from Eureka Springs).

 

You might also want to take 23 south Eureka Springs and then take 12 east to Rogers. A great road ... gets really twisty to the end end (near Beaver Lake and Rogers)...I'd suggest a stop at War Eagle to visit the working water driven mill...the traffic gets a little heavier when you get to Rogers. Turn back to the north, and then pick up 62 out of Rogers back toward Eureka Springs. Another good place to stop and visit is the Civil War site at Pea Ridge.

 

Enjoy your time down there. We'll be going down there a couple of times this year...sadly the first time or two we won't have time to take either of the bikes since they'll be out Friday night from GB and back home on Sunday...but in the fall we have another grandbaby due late September/early October so we'll be riding down then.

 

Curt

[Orrin]

Well, we have our reservations made. Maybe subject to change, so I won't post them yet. We are leaving madison, WI on the 10th of May and returning on the 18th of May. Plan on staying at Queen Wilhemena and Nebo and Mountain View state parks.

 

Everybodys ideas have been very helpful. Linda was pleasantly surprised at the warm and friendly responses. Makes me feel good to belong to this group.

[Snarley Bill]

Well, we have our reservations made. Maybe subject to change, so I won't post them yet. We are leaving madison, WI on the 10th of May and returning on the 18th of May. Plan on staying at Queen Wilhemena and Nebo and Mountain View state parks.

 

Everybodys ideas have been very helpful. Linda was pleasantly surprised at the warm and friendly responses. Makes me feel good to belong to this group.

orrin, have a great trip. arkansas is awesome. hope maybe to meet up with you if you get around st.charles. we have several venture riders in this area. bill

[Rick Butler]

Orrin,

 

When you say "Queen Wilhemena and Nebo and Mountain View state parks", are you going in this direction or the other way? And where is Eureka Springs in this trip. The reason I ask is, yeah, I'd like to work you up a route. Even though I live in north Texas, in the past 20 years there is not one paved road in this corner of Arkansas that I have not ridden at least once, some of my favorites countless times. In fact there is a rock road south of Calico Rock that I have taken 3 of my Ventures down many times (with friends) just to take in the view from a 150 ft cliff overlooking the White River.

 

But if you have not been up Mt Nebo yet, I have one bit of advise.....it is not for the weak of heart or inexperienced on tight switchbacks. I'm guessing there are maybe 20 tight switchbacks that are all off camber where you meet yourself while going straight up. The best attack is always a late apex and you have to stay in the throttle. I love this ride, especially going down and the park, cabins and views from the top are just spectacular overlooking the Arkansas River. There also one other park close to Russelville that is a "must visit" even if just for breakfast or lunch at the rustic lodge...in Petit Jean State Park. In fact if you going from Nebo to Mt View, it's right on the way. And Magazine Mountain is also just West of Nebo where there is a brand new lodge at the top with more great riding and fantastic breath taking views.

 

Let me know if I can lay out something for you,

 

Rick

[Snarley Bill]

Orrin,

 

When you say "Queen Wilhemena and Nebo and Mountain View state parks", are you going in this direction or the other way? And where is Eureka Springs in this trip. The reason I ask is, yeah, I'd like to work you up a route. Even though I live in north Texas, in the past 20 years there is not one paved road in this corner of Arkansas that I have not ridden at least once, some of my favorites countless times. In fact there is a rock road south of Calico Rock that I have taken 3 of my Ventures down many times (with friends) just to take in the view from a 150 ft cliff overlooking the White River.

 

But if you have not been up Mt Nebo yet, I have one bit of advise.....it is not for the weak of heart or inexperienced on tight switchbacks. I'm guessing there are maybe 20 tight switchbacks that are all off camber where you meet yourself while going straight up. The best attack is always a late apex and you have to stay in the throttle. I love this ride, especially going down and the park, cabins and views from the top are just spectacular overlooking the Arkansas River. There also one other park close to Russelville that is a "must visit" even if just for breakfast or lunch at the rustic lodge...in Petit Jean State Park. In fact if you going from Nebo to Mt View, it's right on the way. And Magazine Mountain is also just West of Nebo where there is a brand new lodge at the top with more great riding and fantastic breath taking views.

 

Let me know if I can lay out something for you,

 

Rick

hey rick, i think we rode up that road last year at my eureka springs meet . lots of 10 mph curves. made the dragon look like childs play. at the top we rode down this gravel road .and you could walk down this trail in the woods to an overlook. don't know where we were ,rusty toys took us up there. does this sound like the place. bill

[Guest Saddletramp]

My wife and I will be going to Arkansas in July for the Star Days get together. I've been in and across Ark. a few times with the big truck when I drove and am really looking forward to seeing the scenery that you can't or don't see with a truck. Arkansas appears to be a beautiful state.

[Orrin]

Bill, How far are you from Mountain View? Would love to make your party, but not sure how with the dates we have.

 

Rick, more to follow later. Thanks for the reply.

[Riceburner30281]

route seven in NW Arkansas, and pretty much the whole state!

[Snarley Bill]

My wife and I will be going to Arkansas in July for the Star Days get together. I've been in and across Ark. a few times with the big truck when I drove and am really looking forward to seeing the scenery that you can't or don't see with a truck. Arkansas appears to be a beautiful state.

we will be at stardays also. staying at embassy suites in rogers. when it gets closer we will have to rally every one who is going and arrange a time to meet down there. bill

[Guest Ballgoof]

This site has some nice maps and descriptions.

 

http://www.cruisetheozarks.com/index.html

 

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/ar.html#ozarks

 

http://www.arkansas.com/outdoors/Motorcycling/

 

 

Here is some more info on events in the area.

 

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=183393

 

http://www.lightningcustoms.com/arkansas-rallies.html

 

http://www.cruisetheozarks.com/calendar.htm

 

http://calendar.yahoo.com/YYY,61ddd1/srt,0/thebikerrag1/?v=42&POS=

 

http://www.bikerbudz.com/upcomingevents1.html

 

http://www.dogpatchbikerbash.com/

 

Guy

[Guest Bigin]

Wpredock, what we rode was Hwy 123 out of Mt Judea near Jasper, up to the Sam's Throne.

 

It is a popular climbing, repelling area.

 

It is my favorite ride here, and close to my home, and is nice 10 min hike one way to stretch the legs, but can be challenging for new riders especially 2 up, and if on a first gen VR , which is the toppiest bike I know of.

 

A few of that group did not want to ride back down it that day, which is not a problem as continuing down 123 is a nice ride also.

 

It is actually easier going down than up, I think anyway.

 

It is a must see, and very high on the list of best roads in Arkansas.

 

I would be glad to show it to anyone interested, mutual scheduling permitted of course.

[Guest faflick]

Orrin, I lived in Keosauqua, IA for 16 years. I owned the Keosauqua Feed & Grain (feed Mill). Anywhere you ride in NW Ark is great riding. I will be at Star Days in Rogers, Ark as will as the Venture ride in at Eureka Springs. Will be 2nd time in Rogers area and 4th time in the Springs by bike. Been to NW Ark around 40-50 times.

 

faflick (Frank Flickinger)

[georgew48]

Wife and I are also going there for Star days. We are going to stay in the Kettle campground in Eureak Springs and make the drive over to Rogers for Star events.