psstephens@aol.com

This is taken in Lake Toscaway, North Carolina. A beautiful area in the Fall! This is the Outdoor Resort: Blue Ridge Mountains, NC Our motorhome is in this line-up of gorgeous specimens! (Monaco- 38' Diplomat) The Biltmore is a short drive from here! Bob and Pam Stephens, Bella Vista, AR. 72715

RV Camping in Mountains and Near Lakes By Bob and Pam Stephens North Central Arkansas is composed of Ozarks (meaning “rounded hillsâ€) with three large lakes: Bull Shoals http://www.bullshoals.net/ , Heber Lake http://www.heber-springs.com/content/ and Norfork Lake. http://www.lakenorfork.com/ All of the lakes are great for boating activities, and all kinds and fishing. While you are in the area, check out Hand Cove Resort and RV Park http://www.handcoveresort.com/index.htm on Lake Norfork! The White River flows out of the Dam just below Bull Shoals. Bull Shoals-White River State Park is a wonderful Arkansas State Park; a must see area, if you can but make reservations early. Near the State Park is a restaurant called Gaston's. http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/park-fin...tours.aspx?id=8 It's great to enjoy the river and have a good meal. Sit by the three-sided glass windows and enjoy your dining experience and views of the White River. The White River area is known for some of the best trout fishing in the country. There is a small airport located at Gaston's, and people fly in from all over the county to fish. Near the northern end of the state of Arkansas is the Buffalo River Basin. This is a stunning place http://buffalorivergallery.com/index.php?cat=8 Take a float trip down the Buffalo River. http://www.ozarkmtns.com/buffalo/bfg.html The scenery is great and so is the fishing. Don't come to Arkansas and miss the float trip. Paddling over the course of several hours can be very tiring, so be sure you are up to it! There are several different float trip lengths to choose from! Drive the upper Wilderness area of the Buffalo basin and you will find it is stunning, too. What about a motorbike ride? Grab the Harley because this is a wonderful area for motorcycle riding with curvy roads and great views. Don't miss the town of Jasper off Hwy 7-scenic! http://www.arkansas.com/city-listings/city...ail/city/Jasper It sits in the upper Buffalo wilderness area and there is a wonderful view from the restaurant there, and good cobbler! There are several primitive camping areas in the Buffalo area. If hiking is your thing, this area is a must see. Want to see a campground location for your RV before you pull in? www.campgroundimages.com Near the Bull Shoals Lake and Norfolk Lake are some very nice small towns and places to live. Mountain Home is a very nice area situated in the Ozarks, so it is a very pretty area. Mountain Home has golf courses and it is near the Lakes. It is in the north end of the state so the weather in the summer is better than the central or the southern part of the state. Stop by and see the small towns of Yellville and Flippin, Arkansas! Ranger Boats are made there! Yes, there really is a Flippin, Arkansas. http://www.flippinweb.com/ Traveling east along the north end of the state you will come to Mammoth Springs, which is a very scenic area. The Red river flows here too, which is a great area for fishing and floating. Riverside Park is set on the banks of the Red River. The only drawback for us was traveling on a dirt road for two miles and there is a railroad tracks close by, but it's a very nice grassy RV Park. Continuing East and South you will come the Crowley Ridge Area, which is very beautiful http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/crowleysridge/ . If you like to go horseback riding or mountain biking in the Ozarks, this is a must area to come see. This is a great area for hiking, fishing, boating or just taking a nice ride in the car. There are several State Parks in the area to meet your needs as well as Corps of Engineers Parks. Further east of here is the Mississippi Delta area is the town of Jonesboro. It's nice for shopping and dining out. Heading South and then back toward the middle of the State you will come to Heber Springs. This is a very popular Lake. It is large and is great for fishing and hunting. It is surrounded by the greenery of the Ozarks. If you're into water and boating this is a must. North of Heber Springs is the town of Mountain View http://www.ozarkgetaways.com/index.html It a very old town and is known for its folk music. Throughout the year they have folk music and Blue Grass festivals there. http://www.ozarkgetaways.com/things_to_do.html Stop by and spend a few days …you will be in for a real treat! Tell them Bob and Pam Stephens, Bob@CamproundImages.com sent you!

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

Gateway to Wonderful RV Destinations Written by Bob and Pam Stephens The Arkansas River Valley is really is a wonderful RV destination! Close to the center of the state, the Arkansas River runs mostly east to West in this area along with a southerly flow. This area is warmer in the summer than it is in the Northern end of the state. If you enjoy boating, fishing and hunting, this is a great area to visit. The Army Corps of Engineers has some of the best campgrounds in the state right along the River Valley. Most of these campgrounds lie adjacent to the Arkansas River. Two of my favorites there are the Corps. of Engineer's Parks are Maumelle Park, http://www.arkansas.com/outdoors/camping/d...ps+of+Engineers along the banks of the Arkansas River and Aux Lux. Maumelle Park has lots of shade trees and river front spaces. It's a very nice setting. The park has been recently updated with 50 amp service. My second favorite park there on the Arkansas River is also an Army Corps of Engineer Park called the Aux Lux. It too, lies on the banks of the Arkansas River. This park has been redone and is a very nice stay. Another great park on the Arkansas River, is a dammed area, called Lake Dardanelle. Lake Dardanelle State Park http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/lakedardanelle is here and it is a treat to stay at and enjoy the area. The closest city it is adjacent to is Russellville. Russellville is my second favorite city in the state. It is in a very nice setting. South of the River valley, are two State parks you should try to take in. The first State Park is Petit-Jean http://www.petitjeanstatepark.com/ which is great for hikes and sightseeing, and has beautiful scenery and waterfalls, and a lovely restaurant. The second State Park is Mt. Magazine http://www.mountmagazinestatepark.com/ Mt. Magazine is the highest point in the state and has great views of the valleys below. There are cottages to stay in, a new Hotel and campground around the park. It too, is great for sight seeing, hiking and fishing. The views from these two State Parks are incredible! Along the Arkansas River sits the State Capital of Little Rock, Arkansas. Obviously the Capital city has lots of shopping, dining, historical sights and cultural events. Check with the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce for a schedule of events. If you drive about 1 hour Southwest of Little Rock you will come to the town of Hot Springs. This is a great area to spend some time. Known as the first resort in American, Hot Springs has lots of fine dining, shopping, history, boating, fishing, hiking, golfing, and its famous "bathhouses" with mineral springs. If you love to be pampered at a spa and all that goes with spas, you will love Hot Springs http://www.hotsprings.org Hot springs also host a myriad of events throughout the year. There is an abundance private campgrounds in the area that can meet your needs. There is also a Federal Park and a State Park in the area called Gulpha Gorge http://www.nps.gov/hosp . Take some time and see Hot Springs Village http://www.hotspringsvillage.com/ If you're looking for a nice place to live or retire, it may be just right, with condos and garden homes. The summer months here can be quite warm. It is best to visit this area in the spring and the fall. Fall colors here are marvelous! Traveling east of Little Rock, on the I-40, a couple of hours north and east of Little Rock there are two nice areas to see. One is Village Creek State Park http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/villagecreek/ near Wynne. This area is a beautiful forest with a lake. It has Horseback riding trails, corrals, hiking trails, mountain biking, fishing and boating. It's just a very lush area that sets away from most things. Most of all, have a great time in your RV! Contact us at : Bob@campgroundimages.com

RV Adventures in the Ozarks of Arkansas By Pam and Bob Stephens The Arkansas' Ozark Mountains are stunningly beautiful and offer views that are hard to beat anywhere else in the world, but nature is just where an Ozarks vacation begins. There are tons of things to do in this area, and one of the best ways to get a taste of it all is to pile into the RV and give RV camping in the Ozarks of Arkansas a try. There's a little something for everyone in the Ozarks, making it the perfect family getaway. Of course the natural beauty is what first drew people to the Ozarks in the first place, and there are many RV parks in the area that cater to nature lovers hoping to soak it all in. Places like the Denton’s Ferry RV Park, http://www.whiteriver.net/dentonrv give RV travelers with a love of the great outdoors a home base from which they can explore mountain trails, fish in one of that many rivers in the area, like the Bull Shoals and the Buffalo, go white water rafting or even scuba diving. Those who simply want to get away from it all can kick back at these nature loving resorts and take it all in. For people who prefer a taste of local culture, RV camping in the Ozarks of Arkansas can be a delight as well. Pull into the White Buffalo Resort http://www.whitebuffaloresort.com or the Blue Heron Campground and Resort http://www.blueheroncampground.com , and head out from there to enjoy the high life in nearby Harrison or across the border in Branson. You'll find great shopping and restaurants ranging from international to down home. Most RV parks in the Ozarks are in easy reach of local attractions, but they tend to fill up quickly during the summer months, so booking ahead is a good idea. If you're traveling during the off season, call ahead and make sure your park of choice is open. Contact us if you want any further information! Bob@campgroundimages.com

Written by Pam and Bob Stephens A vacation in Arkansas can mean different things to different people, but no matter what your ideal Arkansas vacation is, a good way to experience it all is by RV. RV parks are scattered all around the state to let you get a taste of the beautiful scenery and the local culture and heritage of the area. If you're looking for a place to berth your RV so you can settle in right now, check out these Arkansas RV camp sites: • If you are craving a completely peaceful, tranquil getaway with none of the distractions of the modern world, then Hog Heaven RV Park http://www.hogheavenrvpark.com in Jasper is the one for you. This camp site is on the famed Scenic Highway 7, which has been heralded in many travel journals as one of the ten most scenic spots in the world. You get the best of nature for a bargain price at Hog Heaven. • If fine dining and shopping are more your cup of tea, then consider the Arkadelphia Campground http://www.arkadelphiacampground.com near Hot Springs. From this base, you'll be able to take in beautiful, historic downtown Hot Springs, and you'll also be well within reach of the major outlet mall center in Branson, Missouri. • For water sports lovers and fishing enthusiasts, it has to be His Place http://www.hisplaceresort.net on the White River Resort. This place is all about the river, and they offer many activities on site to help you take advantage of it. There are also hiking trails and mountain bike rentals on site for those who prefer dry land. (We are so taken with this one! Check out their website and slideshow! Amazing fish, colors, oh let’s pack up the RV and go right now!) Which Arkansas is your Arkansas? With these Arkansas RV camp site options, you don't have choose just one - load up the RV, hit the road, and experience a sampling of everything Arkansas has to offer.

written by Bob and Pam Stephens Want to Get Close to Nature? Here’s some great ones! You can't beat seeing the state of Arkansas from the comfort of your RV. From the Ozarks to the Delta, this state is rich in natural wonders. What better way to enjoy it all than at a great Arkansas RV campground? The state is chock full of places that you can use as home base for your RV as you bask in the surroundings, and many of the Arkansas RV campgrounds not only offer a safe and friendly place to stay but many amenities like horseback riding and water sports on sight. For a great Arkansas adventure, give these RV campgrounds a try: • For a family adventure in the Ozarks, pull up to the Shady Oaks RV Park and Campground http://www.camptheoaks.com This Harrison based scenic resort offers a swimming pool, shaded hook up, pull through sites and stunning views. It's convenient to local attractions like kayaking in the Buffalo River, Silver Dollar City and shopping at the Branson outlet mall. • Any fishing fan will love a trip to Lake Poinsett State Park http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2588/places/45288 in the Delta of northeastern Arkansas. There are tons of water sports to be had on site, lots of room for cookouts and picnics, and plenty of space for camping. • To see the scenic Ouachita part of the state, near Hot Springs, Arkansas, go for the Cloud 9 RV Park http://www.cloudninerv.com (see our aerial slideshow here which Bob and I took), or Hot Springs RV Park. This family friendly RV resort is open year round and combines natural beauty with proximity to the picturesque town of Hot Springs. There's something in Hot Spring for everyone from the art lover to the history buff - this is one Arkansas RV campground you don't want to miss. A tip for enjoying these RV parks: they fill up quickly, especially during the summer months, so book ahead so you're not disappointed!