Camping in the Beautiful Ozark Mountains

Written by Bob and Pam Stephens

Northwest Arkansas http://www.nwark.org/northwest_arkansas_se...thwest_arkansas is a beautiful area to see! It has an abundance of greenery, water, and rolling hills. The Ozarks are the main influence of the area. In Northwest Arkansas you will find the communities of Eureka Springs, Ft. Smith, Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville, Bella Vista, Beaver Town, Springdale, Van Buren, and Berryville. Two large lakes are in Northwest Arkansas: Beaver Lake http://www.arkansas.com/lakes-rivers/lake.aspx?id=1 and Table Rock Lake http://tablerocklake.net/ (which separates Missouri and Arkansas). You can enjoy great fishing and water sports on these lakes. Branson, Missouri, located on the shores of Table Rock Lake, and Lake Taney Como brings many visitors passing through Arkansas on their way to Branson, where they see many family oriented shows and other forms of entertainment. Roaring River http://www.roaringriverstatepark.com/about_us.htm , with its fish hatchery finds its origin here through underground springs. Roaring River offers a great campground, hotel/conference center, and terrific fishing.

In Eureka Springs http://www.eurekasprings.com/ , which is known for its historic Victorian homes and wonderful shopping, you can spend hours visiting antique shops, restaurants and spas. The Crescent Hotel http://www.crescent-hotel.com is a wonderful get away for honeymooners and travelers. Eureka Springs boasts an abundance of activities for people to see and enjoy throughout the year, including marvelous Fall Color! While in this general area, you won't want to miss Beaver Town http://www.beavertowninn.com/, with its old railroad trestle over the Lake, and its sway bridge! The area is fit for canoes, kayaks, and all types of boating. Bring your RV and park at Beaver Town RV Park, sit under the tall canopy of trees, while you fish, and watch the wildlife! Visit the "new" castle “Rogue’s Castle†newly constructed http://www.castleroguesmanor.com/main.html.

For culture and college life, visit Fayetteville, Arkansas, http://www.uark.edu/home/ where you can “call the hogs†alongside the Arkansas Razorback fans! They have some terrific athletic facilities. Visit the University of Arkansas not far from Dickson Street, where much night life is available http://www.fayettevillear.com/ . Plays, music, and college sports abound in Fayetteville. Every fall, "Bikes, Blues, and Barbeque†http://www.bikesbluesandbbq.org/ is hosted in Fayetteville! Want some “scenic drives-tours� You will not lack for great scenery and history! http://www.experiencefayetteville.com/tours.php If you happen to be in town after Thanksgiving, be sure to visit ‘the square', where thousands of Christmas lights are displayed beginning that week; pony rides and carriage rides are available for all!

Just up the road, north of Fayetteville, are the communities of Bentonville (Wal-Mart Headquarters) http://www.bentonvillebellavistachamber.com/ , Rogers and Bella Vista. Located in Benton County, these communities are some of the fastest growing in the nation. Also home to this area is Tyson Foods and JB Hunt Trucking. Bella Vista http://www.bellavistapoa.com/index.asp is this writer's personal preference because it is our home. Bella Vista has eight lakes and seven golf courses and is situated on rolling green hills, which have rocky cliffs. Golfers love Bella Vista! While not a retirement community exclusively, it is home to many who've retired to play golf! Some have purchased homes or second homes, or condos in this area because of all the wonderful amenities Bella Vista offers to their community! This area of the Ozarks is colorful in spring and fall; in spring flowering trees abound, and in fall the colors of the hardwoods are a site to behold!

Between Rogers and Bentonville is a large lake called Beaver Lake http://www.arkansas.com/lakes-rivers/lake.aspx?id=1. It is a Corps of Engineer's Lake with campgrounds and some are right on the lake itself, such as Dam Site Park, which is a terrific RV Park. Beaver Lake is beautiful and can take many days to discover. If you love wildlife, be sure to make the trip and watch for American Bald Eagles, as there are many nests high in the trees. Tours on the lake are given for just that purpose! Call Beaver Lake to find out more about when they do these tours to spot Eagles!

Don’t miss the craft fairs of Northwest Arkansas, happening all over in October and Spring, but most famously in Bella Vista http://nwacraftfairs.com/Bella_Vista_Festival.asp and the War Eagle Caverns and Mill. http://wareaglemill.com

We’d love to see you in Northwest Arkansas…and YOU will love it! Spring is here, the redbuds and Bradford pears are blooming, the leaves are coming back, the grass is greening up, the rivers are flowing and we are just waiting for you! Contact us at: Bob@campgroundimages.com