Eureka Springs Press

Eureka Springs Is Even Better Than The Sum Of Its Parts

(EUREKA SPRINGS, AR) – The greater Eureka Springs' area offers convenient accessibility to a wealth of outdoor activities such as Beaver Lake, Table Rock Lake, Kings River, White River, Thorncrown Chapel, Blue Springs Heritage Center, Black Bass Lake, Lake Leatherwood, the Hogscald and Big Clifty areas, Holiday Island -a city unto itself- where visitors can take a swing on an outstanding golf course, numerous providers offering scenic horseback rides, Starkey Park Marina, Beaver Dam Site Park which is the fifth busiest Corps of Engineers Park in the United States, the 12,000-acre Hobbs State Park, Madison County Game Refuge, War Eagle Mill, War Eagle Cavern, Onyx Cave, Cosmic Caverns, Roaring River State Park and Trout Hatchery, the Mark Twain National Forest with its miles of ATV trails, Buffalo National River, Dogwood Canyon, Beaver Town, and the Pea Ridge National Military Park. All are examples of the excellent outdoor adventures waiting to be experienced, and all of these places are just a short drive away when anyone chooses “America's Victorian Village” as their vacation hub.

Recognizing the treasure trove of outdoor activities –many not very well known- the Outdoor Tourism Committee of the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce has set as its goal to invite locals and visitors to come and travel outside the iconic caverns of man-made limestone structures that has made Eureka one of America's Distinctive Destinations as recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. There, travelers will discover what this Arkansas Ozark community has to offer. These outdoor venues are ageless and are for travelers of all ages.

Although many of these outdoor wonders are most accessible and enjoyable the year-round, many are at their peak during the months of spring. That is why the Eureka Chamber has developed the “45 days of April” as Outdoor Tourism Month with special events and activities. For more information, one should contact the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce by calling 800-638-7352 or by going online to www.eurekaspringschamber.com .

Here, with a little more detail, are some of the exciting outdoor venues unique to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA:

  • A little south of Eureka Springs, there is the Turpentine Creek wildlife refuge, which is a safe haven for big cats such as tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars. Additionally, they have bears and other animals that visitors can watch for an extraordinary wildlife adventure. Turpentine Creek also hosts annual kite flying and Pow-Wow festivals.

  • Not far from Turpentine Creek, there is Quigley Castle, which is a unique dwelling built for a woman/by the woman who wanted to bring nature indoors. Hand constructed with rocks and stones collected from all over the world.

  • Also in this area is the Eureka Music Park with camping and RV hook-up sites available.

  • A few minutes away the Ozark Natural Science Center is a non-profit educational facility with a mission to enhance the understanding and appreciation for The Ozarks natural environment. There is a NOARK camp close by, and the Madison County Wildlife Refuge offers camping, hiking, and some hunting.

  • Big Clifty boat launch, Lover's Leap, and the cascading falls and pools of the area known as Hogscald are also in this vicinity.

  • Just off Arkansas Highway 12, War Eagle Mill is a scenic place that is home to not only the Bean Palace Restaurant, but also hosts craft shows in the spring and fall of each year that are two of the highest attended craft fairs in the country.

  • Nearby War Eagle Cavern offers a bat's eye view of stunning underground scenery, nature paths, gem and fossil panning, and lodging.

  • Beaver Lake, west of Eureka, has 500 miles of shoreline alone. It boasts some of the best fishing in the area, with many fishing tournaments held annually. Visitors can kayak, catch a trophy bass, striper, or walleye, and then relax in one of the many parks offering camping, picnicking, and swimming.

  • Starkey Park offers camping, a marina and boat launch, and numerous other amenities.

  • The Dam Site Park, which is one of the most popular parks in the area, is located near Beaver Dam. Many unique lodging facilities are available, as well as sailing, dam tours, and driving tours.

  • At C&J Sports, located near the Beaver Dam, guests can make their way through an excellent archery course, or play a game of paintball. Scuba diving is offered and quite popular in the clear waters of Beaver Lake.

  • The Belle of the Ozarks offers some wonderful sightseeing excursions, some of which include Eagle watching.

  • The White River, also west of Eureka Springs, is known for some of the best trout fishing anywhere. There are stores in the area that are well equipped to outfit anyone wishing to have an adventure on the White River, whether it is fishing, canoeing, kayaking, camping, or anything else a visitor can dream up.

  • A little farther out U.S. Highway 62 West, Blue Spring Heritage Center is on the National Register of Historic Places, and has been drawing visitors since 1948. Thirty-eight million gallons of clear water pour out daily into the trout filled sparkling blue lagoon below. Blue Spring has a unique bluff shelter, and was also part of the Trail of Tears where Cherokee Indians passed through.

  • Near Blue Spring, Inspiration Point rises high above the White River valley, and has a spectacular view that beckons guests to pull off the road and take in the tranquil scenery.

  • E. Fay Jones globally award-winning Thorncrown Chapel, also known as the “glass chapel” and home to thousands of weddings, can be seen peeking out through the treetops west of Eureka. Thorncrown, as it is commonly called, has been featured on NBC Nightly News and publications worldwide. It proudly displays 425 windows and 6000 square feet of glass in its unique architecture. Thorncrown has been called “one of the finest religious spaces of modern times.”

  • Traveling east of Eureka Springs, the choices in outdoor activities are abundant. The Kings River is waiting to show guests some beautiful scenery. This river is about 90 miles long, and has many attractive features, such as colorful bluffs, unique flora and fauna, and is a fine place to watch for wildlife. Many Eagles have been spotted along the banks of the Kings River. The small-mouth bass fishing is excellent, as are the float trips, whether it is in a canoe or kayak. Guests can camp at the river's edge and swim in the clear cool waters. There are many convenient access points along the Kings River, as well as numerous outfitters ready to help river-goers make the most of their experience.

  • Caving offers abundant venues in the greater Eureka area. For example, Onyx Cave, which was discovered in 1891, is one of the oldest show caves in Arkansas. They offer tours that include beautiful underground formations. Cosmic Caverns, close to Berryville, has many one-of-a-kind natural wonders. It has been named one of the top 10 show caves in the U.S. This cave offers two underground bottomless lakes (lakes in which divers have never found the bottom), and one of the lakes feature cave trout. Rare, blind cave salamanders sometimes show themselves at Cosmic Caverns, and wild cave tours are also available.

  • Still on the east side of town, visitors can experience one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery of The Ozarks via horseback. Red Bud Riding Stables is a family owned business that has been showing folks around on horseback for over 20 years. The hospitable guides at Red Bud are knowledgeable about plant and animal life, and the trails cover a variety of terrain on the privately owned wildlife preserve.

  • Also for equestrian enthusiasts, the Dinner Bell Ranch and Resort is a place where the horseback rides are suitable for all ages and skill levels. The trails offer spectacular panoramic views, as well as possible wildlife sightings. Riders can choose from many different types and lengths of rides, anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Guests can have a real outdoor experience with breakfast, lunch, or dinner rides where a tasty meal is cooked up over a campfire. Weddings are very popular at Dinner Bell Ranch, as is the ride named “Saddle and Paddle”, where riders can choose to ride from the Ranch right on down to the Kings River and climb off their horses and into a waiting canoe. Lodging is available in the form of cozy luxury cabins tucked away into a scenic wooded hillside.

  • For those who might enjoy air travel, a unique amenity located on the east side of Eureka is the Silver Wings Aviation Field and Cadet Museum.

  • Back to the west, the town of Beaver is one of those charming little spots where visitors like to spend time exploring. The history there is rich, with old trails and the much-photographed Beaver Town Bridge, a 554-foot single-lane expansion over the White River. The Beaver Recreation Park is located here, with camping, floating, RV Park, boat launch and a quaint little store. Rock Climbing is a popular sport in this area.

  • Black Bass Lake is a natural area located on 200 hidden acres, yet only a quarter of a mile from the heart of downtown Eureka Springs. Black Bass Lake presently has two-and-a-half miles of hiking trails although construction has begun to connect the trails between Black Bass Lake and Lake Leatherwood. In addition to hiking, Black Bass Lake offers a historic and picturesque dam, beautiful scenery, and great fishing on the lake itself. This is a perfect spot to spend a warm afternoon taking in the wonders of nature.

  • Lake Leatherwood City Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, exhibits many different ways to enjoy the outdoors. The park has more than 20 miles of single-track nature trails, used by both hikers and mountain bikers. Mountain bikers especially love the unique challenges the trails hold with its rocky ledges, steep slopes, creek crossings and varied terrain. The very successful Fat Tire Festival is held annually at Lake Leatherwood. A review from the popular Mountain Biking website www.mtbr.com talks about Lake Leatherwood having “burly climbs and great technical down hills all around a beautiful lake.” For guests who want to come to Lake Leatherwood for other outdoor recreation there is a lot to choose from. Shady picnic areas are provided, and the lake has a WPA-built diving platform, and swimming, camping, birding, and other watchable wildlife abound. There are also such amenities as canoe, paddleboat, and boat rentals. There is a ball field, a bathhouse, a marina, boat launch, a barbecue shelter house, a playground and an area for volleyball. Supper can be caught from the dock and then cooked over an open campfire at a nearby campsite. There are also some cabins available. Leatherwood Park is handicap accessible and is one of America's largest city parks.

  • Event-wise, there are many organized outdoor events in the Greater Eureka Springs area. The Victorian Classic 10K run, Turpentine Creek Pow-Wow and Kite Festivals, FLW Fishing Tournament, Lewis & Clark Paddle Fest, sailing races, civil war reenactments at the Pea Ridge Military Park, trail clean-ups, Blue Spring Fest-event, Belle of the Ozarks “eagle watch” boat cruises, golf tournaments, the Lucky 13 Starlight Outdoor Cinema Theatre, the Artery & Art Gallery, car shows, sporting tournaments, motorcycle rallies, and The Ozarks “X-Treme” canoe and cave tours just to name a few. Dates and details can be found at eurekaspringschamber.com .

  • Outdoor adventures inside the Eureka Springs city limits and the immediate vicinity are vast. Harmon Park is a perfect spot to take the kids to play. There are the actual springs of Eureka -63 to be exact- with picturesque spring parks surrounding each plus there are beautiful trails within the city limits. The ES&NA Railroad is an inter-city haven for those interested in trains and historical information about the areas railways. For those enjoying al fresco dining, there are numerous restaurants offering patio dining. Many enjoy a wheeled excursion via tram and trolley tours. A peak at the mysterious Underground Eureka is a must-see. There are self-guided architectural tours, walking tours, and a historic plaque trail. Eureka Springs also participates in the wildly popular geocaching.

  • Photography and artist settings abound everywhere in and around Eureka Springs. Artists have set up their canvasses all over the area, whether to capture the grandeur of the historic Flat Iron Building, the mysterious air of the majestic 1886 Crescent Hotel, or a colorful scene in Basin Spring Park. Photographers can find one unique subject after another. The delicate wildflowers that bloom one season into the next, waterfalls, rivers, bridges, wildlife, and the mountainous angles of the area make Eureka Springs a dream for artists of any kind.

This list of things to do and see in and around Eureka Springs is not all-inclusive. Each year visitors report new discoveries to the Chamber of Commerce. Therefore the list and the reputation of the greater Eureka Springs area as an outdoor playground is ever-growing.

For more information, contact:

Ms. Jeff Feldman, President / CEO

Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce

POB 551

Eureka Springs, Arkansas 72632

Phone 479-253-7837

Email jeff@eurekaspringschamber.org