ozarks?

I want to go somewhere this summer, and someone suggested to go see the Ozark mountains.

So I%26#39;m asking, are they worth seeing? Where is the best places/cities/towns to see them? What are some cheap good loding and/or camping around that area? What are some must-see attractions around that area?

Note, I%26#39;ve never been to this area so I have no idea where even to begin, so if I sound naive I apologize.

I%26#39;m from San Antonio, TX

ozarks?

What are you into doing?

There is always Branson - Im not a big fan, but the fordarama (the LR expert) is. So maybe she can tell you more about that. It is too crowded and showy for me.

THere is the Fayetteville area, which is beautiful and has an active downtown area (bars and restaraunts). It also has a nice farmer%26#39;s market. Devils Den nearby has nice hikes and camping.

Anywhere on the Buffalo River is great. You could camp, and canoe. The Boxley/Ponca area has lots of nice hikes. If you are into being real outdoorsy.

I would also reccommend Eureka Springs. It is a quaint little town with lots of shops and restaraunts. There are tons of bed and breakfasts there.

Im not sure about specific lodging but there is tons of info online about Eureka. I lived in Fayetteville for several years so I never had to stay in a hotel. The Arkansas Tourism website often has good deals at hotels and attractions posted.

ozarks?

If you love the outdoors, the Ozarks of Arkansas offer more than you can want for a day, week or month.

Here is some info. and visit us at www.edsrock.com - the text below is from our ';What to Do'; page. All of this is within an hour or two of Calico Rock, AR (in the Heart of the Ozarks).

WHAT TO DO:

The list is literally endless because you basically have every outdoor activity known to

mankind available within an hour%26#39;s drive. Here is a description and helpful links to

some of the places and other items that guest have enjoyed. Let us know if you

discover something else so it can be include.

FISHING (RIVERS %26amp; LAKES):

A Fly Fishers Paradise Awaits - including World Record Trout

Without a doubt, trout fishing on the White and Norfork Rivers is what the vast

majority of visitors to the area partake of. World record Brown trout have been

caught on the Norfork River and the Brown and Rainbow trout in the White River are

plentiful. From the Lodge you are a five minute walk to the docks of the White River,

the Norfork River is 20 minutes north on Hwy. 5. There are numerous places to rent

boats and hire guides; here are some that are nearby:

To launch or rent a boat, engage a guide at Calico for White River fishing consider

Jenkins or Bill Terry Boat Dock under the Hwy 5 bridge in Calico Rock or Lindsey

Trout Dock, 3 miles up stream - 870-297-4543 or write HC61, Box 17, Calico Rock,

AR 72519

Further down the river near Mountain View is Jacks (also a great place to eat catfish):

You can even hook up with “Orvis 1998 Guide of the Year” John B. Gulley.

For a fishing report click here.

Trout fishing not your cup of tea, want to catch that prize bass? Then you are in luck

as well, as Bull Shoals and Lake Norfork, two of the best fishing lakes in the Ozarks

are less than one hour away.

If you want any interesting twist on fishing and an educational opportunity for the

kids, don%26#39;t miss the US Fish and Wildlife National Fish Hatchery at the base of the

Lake Norfork dam. It is truly amazing to see literally 1000s of Rainbow, Brown and

Cutthroat trout used to stock area rivers.

BLANCHARD SPRINGS CAVERNS (NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE)

Without question Blanchard Springs Caverns are the best underground cave system in

the United States. People who have visited Carlsbad in NM or Luray in VA say there

is no comparison – Blanchard Springs Caverns are the best – namely because they are

living caverns with all the color and water still present. Two trails, Dripstone and

Discovery, are fully handicap/wheelchair accessible with Dripstone open year round.

The third option is the “Wild Cave Tour” and is a new addition. It takes 3 to 4 hours

and you are guided on a walk and crawl through undeveloped portions of the cavern

system. It is truly a remarkable experience. For the ';Wild Cave Tour'; advanced

reservations (3 or 4 days before is usually sufficient) are required and no one under

10 is permitted on that particular trip.

SYLLAMO BIKE TRAIL (NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE)

Internationally Acclaimed Mountain Biking

The International Mountain Bicycling Association in 2005 rated the Syllamo Bike trail

as one of five Epic Rides. One of the trail heads is less than a 15 minute drive from

Edsrock Lodge. This challenging trail will bring hours of exercise and visions of great

beauty in the forest. A great description of the 50+ miles of trails is provided here by

local experts. The trail is home to the annual Syllamo%26#39;s Revenge Race, plus several

other events throughout the year. If you are a rider you don%26#39;t want to miss this.

HIKING

There are several hiking opportunities through out the region and there are several trail

books. The nearest developed trail is at the Visitor Center for Blanchard Springs

Caverns, a 20 minute drive from the Lodge. The Rangers at the Center have plenty of

maps and will update you on what the best trail is at that time. The closest and one of

the best in the Ozarks is the North Sylamore Creek Hiking Trail - This 14-mile trail

follows North Sylamore Creek from Allison, Arkansas to Barkshed Recreation Area. It

is located 15 miles southeast of Edsrock Lodge at Blanchard Springs Caverns visitor

center.

The National Forest Service has host of information and maps available at its web

sites for activities within the Ozark/St Francis area.

CANOEING

There is often nothing better than heading down the river on a canoe and enjoying all

nature has to offer. This includes getting a canoe or kayak from one of the local

outfitters, then floating down the White River by its scenic bluffs. Also Esdrock

Lodge is an hour from the famous Buffalo National River. This is one of a few

unpolluted and free flowing river in the lower 48 states and provides a paradise for all

levels of experience. You can reach several put in points within one to two hour drive

from the lodge:

SCUBA DIVING

Some of the clearest inland water in the nation is found at both Bull Shoals and

Norfork Lakes. Many of the boat docks provide rentals for divers.

VISITING HISTORIC CALICO ROCK

One of the simple pleasures of staying at Edsrock Lodge is a stroll down the hill to

historic downtown Calico Rock. Make sure you stop at the visitor’s center to pick up

the latest brochures. One of the favorite things for the young grandsons of the

owners is an afternoon treat at the old fashion soda fountain at Clinkingbeard Family

Store on Main Street.

WORLD RENOWNED FOLK MUSIC

If nature is not enough, then let music fill the air. The Ozark Folk Center is world

famous for keeping the art of folk music and folk life alive. There are shows several

times a week that you will find very enjoyable, plus classes and seminars on many

aspects of ';Folk Life';.

And if you really want to ';step back in time'; you should head to Mountain View on

Friday and Saturday night and make your way to the Court House Square. There you

will find several small groups of musicians who meet simply for the pure joy of

playing together. Pull up a chair, or better yet bring your own instrument and join in.

Make your way around the groups to get a wonderful cross reference of all types of

genuine folk music.

GOLF

For many no vacation is complete without a round (or several) of golf. At Edsrock

Lodge you are just 30 minutes from Big Creek Golf in Mountain Home. Rated 5 out

of 5 stars by Golf Digest in May 2004, this course will present a challenge and a nice

day of golf for any handicap and level of experience.

PLACES TO EAT

In Calico Rock on Main street is Don Quixote%26#39;s Cafe and the Clinkingbeard Lunch,

while just out the highway one finds the White River Cafe, Leatherwood Restaurant,

with Roscoe%26#39;s 7 miles from Pineville. You can find most anything between Mountain

Home, Calico Rock and Mountain View. Here are a few of our guests favorites:

JoJo’s Catfish Wharf (Our favorite place for Catfish)

Tommy’s Famous Pizza (Voted best pizza in Arkansas – if you like cheese, go here):

GOT TO SHOP

So you need a little break from nature, and want to hit the shops, there are several

excellent shops in downtown Calico Rock and on the Square in Mountain View, there

you%26#39;ll find some of the best local crafts at the Arkansas Crafts Guild, as well as at the

nearby Arkansas Folk Center. In Mountain Home and nearby Hardy, you can find

great crafts and antiques. Mountain Home has several fine Shopping facilities.

If you are in need of more modern finds, visit Branson, MO, some 2 hours from

Calico Rock. Besides the great musical shows, there are numerous outlets and other

shopping venues.

So, these are just a few of the things to do. You will find many more along the way

and also discover your own. Please let us know what we can do to make your stay

enjoyable.

My family is from marshall and harrison area however, I lived in the canyon lake area for 12yrs and even worked at schlitterbahn

I am very supportive of the Harrison area, try looking up www.hubinfo.com it a little out of the way place with down home friendly folks.

Jasper, ponca, hiking, canoeing, motorcycling, Branson i would suggest Dixie Stampeed?

Mt. View music on the square. Also check out Blanchard Springs, Cavern, camping and hike.

enjoy Carol

Does anyone know anything about Peel%26#39;s Ferry across Bull Shoals? Is it still operative? Where does it ';begin'; and ';end?'; Will they transport motorcycles?