Need suggestions for rides-camping in Arkansas

[WingnutMike]

I've never been to Arkansas but have heard it's nice. I plan to go around late September for two weeks of solo camping and riding. I need suggestion for places to camp and roads to ride. I will be pulling a cargo trailer with camp equipment and basicly "self contained" (3-S's):)I plan to set up camp for a couple of days at a time and ride the roads in that area then move to another location. Bad leg so no long hikes. Also I've been reading about the bears. If I camp somewhere with no bear boxes, Is it OK to keep can goods and cans of liquid refreshment in the trailer or should they be hanged in a tree or....? Thanks for any advice.

[motomac]

NW AR is camping and riding heaven. Any of the state parks are great.

[WingnutMike]

I guess I should have looked in the Arkansas Campground review section here. Some good info there also.:)

[mageerc]

There are not enough bears in Arkansas to be concerned about... now coons, skunks and armadillos are a separate issue! Tyler Bend State Park is nice with good riding in the area... Longpool Campground just north of Dover, AR is also situated nicely for some of my favorite roads in AR... scenic US 7, Hwy 123, Hwy 16 and many others... be aware that at Longpool the rangers are getting pretty rough on adult beverages...

[ImRubicon]

Im still not ever seeing a live armadillos LOL lots of them on the roasds but they are not moving . Im in need of a trip also and this looks like a good one We will need pictures and report lol.
I always forget pictures

[Mr. Guy]

Just about anywhere in north or west Arkansas you will find great riding, not so much in SE Ar. Unless you like your roads more straight and flat. In the National Forest areas you'll find lots of cheap campgrounds. I've never had problems with bears, but the raccoons WILL get into anything. Any box with a lock should work for them.

Guy

[WingnutMike]

Thanks everyone. I feel much better about the bears although I will still be cautious.P^The campgrounds listed here in the reviews sound great. I haven't looked on the map yet but I'm guessing they are scattered enough for some good riding. I've been wanting to make this trip for about 4 years now but something seems to always get in the way....Changed jobs twice and both times just as I was eligible for vacation, Family matters then last June a little ol lady murdered my Goldwing and almost me. I'm crossing my fingers and toes that I get to go this year.:D

[WingnutMike]

I've never had problems with bears, but the raccoons WILL get into anything. Any box with a lock should work for them.
Guy

There are a few folks at work that claim racoons are pretty good fried.:rolleyes:P^

[jnsgardner]

Actually, my favorite place is just across the Arkansas border in Missouri. It is called The American River. It is listed as a National Scenic place. Unlike most Missouri rivers that are too thick to drink and too thin to plow, the American is an artesian river that just comes up out of the ground. It is clear and great for tubing. There is a camp grounds very near.
In a sense, you're still doing the 'twisties', but at 1 mph. It certainly is worth a check-out and is only 10 miles North of the border.

John

[Mr. Guy]

There are a few folks at work that claim racoons are pretty good fried.:rolleyes:P^


Smoked over hickory is healthier. :p

With a salad of course.

Guy

P.S. Do you drink red or white wine with racoon?

[WingnutMike]

Smoked over hickory is healthier. :p

With a salad of course.

Guy

P.S. Do you drink red or white wine with raccoon?

I'm thinking a good cold beer would be more appropriate.P^ Hmmmm, Might just have to pack a few spices and the Dutch oven....http://www.backwoodsbound.com/zracoon.html

[Mr. Guy]

That's great, love it. :D :D

[finney]

Just got back from camping and riding in NW Arkansas. We camped at the Eureka Springs KOA and went riding from there. The KOA was very shaded, although you don't have quite as much privacy as some primitive campgrounds. The owner mapped us out some good places to ride. It seems like most the roads in that area are fun if you like the twisties. Eureka Springs is a pretty cool town to spend a little time in. We didn't see any bears, but watch out for the armadillos and deer.

[TJ Willy]

I have camped all over AR having been raised there.

The pig trail (Hwy 23) is great riding, but head the speed warnings. Just about any off shoot is a great trail.

If you give me a couple days, I can get you some exact gps routes to last a few days.

Let me know....

[jmtracin]

My father said during the 1930's they would boil, then fry the coons, just like squirrell!! Anybody want biscuits?

[Bug Dr.]

For state parks:
Devil's Den is one of my all time favorites.
Mt. Magazine, Petit Jean and Mt. Nebo are good AR River Valley spots.
So is Lake Dardanelle State Park on the Russellville side.

National Forest:
Redding Campground is probably my favorite.
Buffalo Point is nice as well.

Municipal:
Kettle Campground in Eureka Springs

Many great places to stay in NW AR. Just ask the locals...most are good folks that are willing to help.
Mike

[fredric]

Ask anyone... you need reservations for Devil's Den State Park.

[G wizz]

There are a few folks at work that claim racoons are pretty good fried.:rolleyes:P^

Baked Racoon isn't bad.... doesn't have a gamey taste to it.
It is a rather greasy meat thouigh, like duck or goose.
Any good table wine goes good with "coon" Or even a cold frosty premium ale.

G wizz

[rollsroyce77]

Look on the map for Magazine Mountain. It's a little west of Russellville. Awesome view from the lookouts and beautiful curvy roads. Coming back down the mountain you'll cross a lake that will take your breath away. It's the stuff post cards are made of. Wonderful lodge/hotel at the top of the mountain. I believe they have some campsites available near the lodge.

[HarpoF6]

Just got a refresher course on bear bags (what I used to use last time I went backpacking when I was a young feller). Well, these bears and coons and critters have learned quite a bit since! They now have figured out what bear bags contain and found ways to get into them. If you dont have bear boxes (not just for bears, but those raccoons are notorious as we all know) they say get a bear container- those things that look like little kegs. They are bear and coon proof. Just leave it on the ground away from your tent and if they come sniffin, they will soon leave even if they try knocking around your container. The kind to get is a bear cache. look online.

[WingnutMike]

I've been wanting to make this trip for about 4 years now but something seems to always get in the way....Changed jobs twice and both times just as I was eligible for vacation, Family matters then last June a little ol lady murdered my Goldwing and almost me. I'm crossing my fingers and toes that I get to go this year.:D Well "MURPHY" has done it again.....I was laid off work two weeks ago. The good news is I have a new job so income is not a issue. The bad news is I won't be eligible for vacation for a year :-(

[Ripshod]

Oh man, that's tough. Well, you can always turn Iron Butt and see how far you can go on a three-day holiday weekend. Will you get Labor Day off? It's on Mon, Sept. 7th. Take off Friday night and you can probably get to Arkansas, do a little camping and a little riding, and be back by late Monday night. Hey, it ain't two weeks but it beats going crazy!

Hang in there.

[Mellow]

Sorry about your job but glad you got another one.

Yup... get off work friday you can put at least 200 miles in if the bike is ready. I have a flexible schedule so I'll usually start work at 4am and leave at noon and be 500-600 miles away before dark, or at dark... so to me that's a freebie....

Looks like you are right between Dallas/Houston/Austin... the hill country is an easy ride... you could even make it to Arkansas and do some riding then start heading back all day Sunday... no vacation used.. LOL