Arkansas State Parks

[Turn Key]

We're thinking about taking a camping trip to Arkansas. Will probably go to
the Hot Springs area and/or into the Ozarks. Have gotten some info from the
state but what can you tell me about the state parks in that area? They look
nice but it's hard to tell the truth from the "hype". Any input? Thanks in
advance and happy camping, Turn Key

[Gary Smith]

We live in Tulsa and we have camped in several of the western state parks
in Arkansas. We really enjoyed Petit Jean. It has some real nice hikes and
a waterfall if they have been getting any rain that way. Our only problem
was trying to get reservations for the parks. They hold a large majority of
RV sites on a reservation basis. So you might want to call ahead.
http://www.yournet.com/sps.html
http://www.arkansas.com/

Gary
88 Skamper
96 Explorer V8

"Turn Key" <kdin...@home.com> wrote in message
news:zPwd7.47038$MC1.14...@news1.elcjn1.sdca.home.com...

[Marty]

I lived in AR for over 3 years. We were tent camping then. For camping
we really liked Devil's Den and Petit Jean. We like picnicing at Lake
Fort Smith. They have a large pool. We like to canoe on the Buffalo
National River at Ponca, and the Mulberry at Turner Bend. Eureka
Spings is a nice place to visit also. Haven't camped around there
though. I can help if you have specifc questions. I didn't really get
to explore AR as much as I wanted when I lived there. We only camped
for about a year or so before we moved.

Marty

"Turn Key" <kdin...@home.com> wrote in message news:<zPwd7.47038$MC1.14...@news1.elcjn1.sdca.home.com>...

[Turn Key]

Thanks for the input guys. From the material I got from the state, Petit
Jean was at the top of my list. I've also gotten a "thumbs up" on that park
from a couple of other people. We're planning a 3-day trip to Hot Springs
for the first full week in September. We'll be staying at a motel or a B&B
for that trip. Will more then likely check out a couple of the parks on that
trip and make our decision regarding our long, October trip then. If we
don't make a long camping trip to Arkansas this year, I'm sure we will in
Spring, 2002. Thanks again for the help and Happy Camping, Turn Key

"Turn Key" <kdin...@home.com> wrote in message
news:zPwd7.47038$MC1.14...@news1.elcjn1.sdca.home.com...

[Gone]

At Hot Springs, try Ouchita State Park...beautiful sites, all wooded,
most of them right on the lake. I have some unbelievable sunset
photos taken while sitting right at my campsite. Email if you want
one as a "preview" of what you'll find there.

Also stayed several times at Petit Jean, both tent and in a pop-up.
Petit Jean has a lot of great hiking, waterfalls and other scenery,
but I didn't care for the sites that much for the pop-up. Most were
fairly open...given the amount of trees on Petit Jean, it's almost
like they cut everything down to make room for the park.

Also stayed several times some of the private campgrounds near Eureka
Springs, but most were for the big rigs. I won't offer any
recommendations since I can't say we liked any of them.

-Mike

[DGB]

We've enjoyed the camp sites run by the Army Corps of
Engineers that are scattered around Lake Ouachita.

Dwight in WI

"Gone"
<REMOVE_ME_FIR...@BIGFOOT.COM.REMOVE_ME_FIRST>
wrote in message news:3b7df0e2...@enews.newsguy.com...

[Trlrboy]

We've tried Ouchita SP about a year or two ago and found it sort of
average. Not bad but not much around and it's a boring drive to Hot
Springs. We would rather stay at Degray Lake SP about 25 miles south
of Hot Springs. It has a nice golf course, beautiful lake and lots to
do. There's also a lot more to look at on the drive to Hot Springs.