EXPERIENCE THE NATURAL STATE


From nature to culture, Arkansas has something for everyone


A highlight at the park is the James


JULIANA GOODWIN FOR LIVING WELL


W


22 Living Well i March/April 2018 Buffalo National River provides wonderful floating opportunities in the spring or summer, and hiking, too.ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & TOURISM


elcome, spring! This time of year is the


perfect time to explore the Natural State. It doesn’t matter if you want to discover it on foot, in a canoe, boat or car, there is


so much beauty and history waiting for you in Arkansas. Here are some recommendations for parks, monu- ments, markers and more.


Nature Bull Shoals-White River State Park


is a wonderful place to start as the park stretches along the riverside and lakeshore where the White River and Bull Shoals Lake join at the dam. The park is a popular camping des-


tination, a favorite among fishermen and hikers, has an excellent visitors center, and boasts a variety of inter- pretive programs, workshops and nature camps throughout the year. For an easy trail, try The Gaston


Wildflower Garden Trail, a memorial wildflower garden loop trail that me- anders through three acres of wild- flowers and attracts butterflies and birds which is particularly colorful in spring and summer. Another easy and beautiful trail is the Bluebird, which is unconventional. Peppered throughout the campground are bluebird houses which attract a flurry of birds in spring and summer. During those times of year, the bluebirds use these homes to raise their young and you can watch from the grassy lawn.


A. Gaston Visitor Center, a 15,744- square-foot visitor/education center that has sweeping views of the White River, Bull Shoals Dam and Bull Shoals Lake. The center features in- terpretive exhibits throughout the lobby, gift shop, Johnboat Theater and a 1,720-square-foot exhibit hall filled with images of the river, lake and dam. Another great option for a hike,


picnic or stroll (and a little history lesson) is Mammoth Spring State Park which is home to the 10th largest spring in the world. Located 16 miles north of Hardy, the spring flows at an average hourly rate of 9.79 million gallons and is Arkansas’ largest. The actual spring cannot be seen because it emerges more than 80 feet below the water level of the spring pool. Desig- nated a National Natural Landmark, this little gem is a must visit. In the early 19th century, this area


was a village known as “Head of the River.” The spring powered a grist mill which was the heart of the com- munity. The park was established in 1957 and features a dam built in 1887- 88 for the Mammoth Spring Milling Company. Each stone in this dam was hand-quarried. The building that stands at the edge of the dam is the last edifice from the milling company site. In 1925, the Missouri-Arkansas


Power Co., bought the rights to the dam and two others downstream. These dams provided electric power to Mammoth Spring until 1972. The park showcases a small museum which was an 1886 depot and houses railroad memorabilia. There’s also an old ca- boose outside the depot. On the


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