Exploring Arkansas
Exploring Arkansas
See where Chuck has traveled in Arkansas.
Blue Hole Special Interest Area
Special interest areas within our national forests are just that – special. I explore the Blue Hole Special Interest Area north of Jerusalem in the Ozark National Forest and show you why this area has received that “special” designation.
Rex Hancock/Black Swamp Wildlife Management Area
It’s off on an excursion through the Rex Hancock/Black Swamp Wildlife Management Area south of Augusta.
Hideout Hollow of the Buffalo National River
A hike to the storybook setting of Hideout Hollow in the upper portion of the Buffalo National River near Compton.
Kayak Touring on Lake Ouachita
The flipside of whitewater kayaking is kayak touring. We joined a group of kayakers that went on a kayak campout on Lake Ouachita near Hot Springs.
Trumpeter Swans on Magness Lake
On a small lake near Heber Springs there’s an interesting phenomenon that takes place every year. More than a hundred Trumpeter Swans migrate to Magness Lake from their habitat in the northern most sections of the country.
Hurricane River Cave
The tour section of Hurricane River Cave near Harrison is also explored –(previously on EA the “wild cave” section was featured).
Related links: Hurricane River Cave
Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge - Eagles
The bald and golden eagles at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge south of Russellville close out this show.
Buffalo River Trail
Hiking the Buffalo National River Trail.
Related links: Ozark Mountain Wilderness Works
Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area
Unique sandstone columns, resembling huge pedestals are explored at the Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area near Pelsor.
Richland Falls-Twin Falls at the Richland Creek Wilderness Area
Richland Falls and Twin Falls at the Richland Creek Wilderness Area in the Ozark National Forest.
Glory Hole Waterfall in the Ozarks
With a name like “Glory Hole”, you know it’s got to be awesome ! It’s one of many secluded and spectacular waterfalls in the Ozarks.
Wolf Pen Gap ATV Complex
The Wolf Pen Gap ATV Complex in the Ouachita National Forest south of Mena is one of the more popular of its kind, attracting 10,000 users annually from a four-state area.
Related links: Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
Lake Ouachita Vista Trail
The Lake Ouachita Vista Trail near Mount Ida, when completed will contain some 40 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails along the shores of Lake Ouachita.
Devil's Den State Park
The cave and crevice area are explored at Devil’s Den State Park – the largest such area in the country.
Underwater Arkansas
Explore the depths of Lake Ouachita through a program offered by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Related links: Underwater Arkansas (AGFC)
Mount Magazine State Park
Trek to the highest point in the state atop Mount Magazine in west Arkansas.
Related links: Mount Magazine State Park
Stone Creek Ranch
Riding, roping and “punching doggies” at a dude ranch near Mountain Home.
Related links: Stone Creek Ranch Resort
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
Lions and tigers and bears! A popular animal sanctuary in the Natural State, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge provides a lifetime refuge for abandoned, abused and neglected "big cats."
Related links: Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
Elephant Sanctuary
Elephants! A popular animal sanctuary in the Natural State.
Winding Stairs Trail
The “Winding Stairs” area along the Little Missouri River Trail is the most popular trail in the Ouachitas – and we’ll show you why.
Lake Maumelle Regatta
U.S. Championship of Champions Regatta on Lake Maumelle.
Related links: Grande Maumelle Sailing Club
Collier Homestead
The Homestead Act of 1862 gave many families a chance to acquire land and begin a new life in the Ozarks. The Collier family from Kentucky settled near the Buffalo National River, as many did. The restored homestead gives those of us in the 21st century a look at the way life once was in this part of the country.
Indian Rockhouse
Exploring a Native American bluff shelter at Buffalo Point
Spring River Fly-Fishing
Trout fly-fishing on the Spring River near Hardy
Bayou Deview Big Woods Tour
Canoeing down Bayou DeView near Brinkley provides a wonderful adventure viewing cypress trees estimated to be 450 to 1200 years old.
Womble Trail near Mt. Ida
The Womble Trail near Mt. Ida in the Ouachita National Forest offers some of the best mountain biking opportunities in the entire mid-South.
Lake Chicot
Lake Chicot in the southeast corner of the state is the perfect place to experience the Mississippi Delta region – especially with a sunset swamp tour.
Lost Valley
One of the gems of the Ozarks is in the Buffalo National River Region – Lost Valley – offering unique features found nowhere else.
Jacksonport State Park
The old riverport town of Jacksonport is explored near Newport, along with the last paddlewheeler to travel the White River – Mary Woods No.2.
Rock House Cave at Petit Jean
The other popular trails at Petit Jean Mountain State Park are the ones that lead to a Native American rock shelter.
Bear Cave Sandstone Crevice at Petit Jean
The other popular trails at Petit Jean Mountain State Park are the ones that lead to the Bear Cave sandstone/crevice area.
Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Arkansas was instrumental in the recovery of the bald eagle from its endangered status. We take you on an airboat and driving tour of this tucked away refuge along the Mississippi Delta.
Lake Dardanelle Eagles
Braving winter’s cold temps in a kayak one is rewarded by magnificent sights of Bald Eagles on Lake Dardanelle near Russellville.
Mammoth Spring
Mammoth Spring near the Missouri state line is not only the largest spring in the state, but the tenth largest in the world!
Wild Wilderness Safari
In Gentry, a drive-through safari is Arkansas’ answer to a similar-type adventure that one would take in the wilds of Africa. Two-hundred species of animals can be experienced – some literally on the roof of your vehicle !!
Pea Ridge National Military Park
The Battle of Pea Ridge is viewed as the most decisive Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River. It’s also the most well preserved Civil War battlefield in the U.S.
Related links: Pea Ridge National Military Park
Fort Smith National Historic Site
Fort Smith National Historic Site is a special place where you can walk where Mexican War and Civil War soldiers drilled, pause along the Trail of Tears and witness where justice was served.
Related links: Fort Smith National Historic Site
Lakeport Plantation
The Lakeport Plantation is the only remaining antebellum home along the Mississippi River in Arkansas.
Related links: Lakeport Plantation
Beaver Lake Eagles
Beaver Lake near Rogers boasts of having the most bald eagles of any lake in the state.
Related links: Beaver Lake
Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources
A hidden gem in the southern part of the state near Smackover, is the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources which portrays the 1920’s oil boom in that area.
Related links: Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources
Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park
You wouldn't normally expect to find wildlife viewing opportunities at an archeological park, but that’s not the case at Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park near Scott.
Lincoln Lake
Lincoln Lake is a wonderful hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and kayaking gem tucked away in the northwest portion of the Natural State.
Triple Falls
Triple Falls is a spectacular waterfall area in the upper portion of the Buffalo National River. These fifty-foot falls rival any of those seen in Hawaii.
Arkansas' Largest Tree
The state’s largest tree happens to be in the White River National Wildlife Refuge at St. Charles.
Richland Creek Wilderness Falls
Richland Creek Wilderness in the Ozark National Forest near Ben Hur, contains many picturesque waterfalls and we’ll take you to a couple of our favorites.
Arkansas Post National Memorial
Arkansas Post National Memorial near Gillette was not only the site of the first European settlement in the lower Mississippi Valley, but also a Civil War battleground and Arkansas’only Revolutionary War battle site.
Wattensaw Bayou Float
A float trip down Wattensaw Bayou near Hazen closes out the episode.
Horseshoe Canyon Ranch
One of the best places to go rock climbing east of the Rockies happens to be at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch near Jasper and its where well take you to conquer the rock!
Related links: Horseshoe Canyon Dude Ranch
Falcon Bottoms Natural Area
Visiting one of the many Natural Areas under the protection of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission is a great way to explore a wilder version of the Natural State. Falcon Bottoms Natural Area near Magnolia with Bayou Dorcheat, offers a unique adventure in the states original wild landscape.
Bayou Bluff Recreation Area
Bayou Bluff in the Ozark National Forest near Hector is one of those tucked away gems with picturesque bluffs, a cool mountain stream and breathtaking scenery.
Coleman Quartz Mine
Its one of the oldest and largest quartz crystal mines in Arkansas the Coleman Quartz Mine north of Hot Springs and its where you and I can dig for our own treasure.
Related links: Ron Coleman Mining
White Oak Lake State Park
White Oak Lake State Park near Prescott offers abundant wildlife and hiking within the boundaries of the states only state forest.
Blanchard Springs Recreation Area
The Blanchard Springs Recreation Area north of Mountain View offers a wide array of outdoor adventure hiking, mountain biking, trout fishing, camping, swimming, a bluff shelter and a historic mill site.
Parker-Hickman Farmstead
The oldest structure along the Buffalo National River Park system is the Parker-Hickman log home, built in 1840. The site is actually an entire farmstead thats been preserved.
Shady Lake Recreation Area
Shady Lake Recreation Area in the Ouachita National Forest near Mena provides a remote picturesque mountain lake setting with plenty of fishing, camping and hiking opportunities.
Hang Gliding
At the tallest peak in the state Mt. Magazine -- men and women with wings soar like eagles with the extreme sport of hang gliding.
Global Village Experience
In living the lives of others, global hunger and poverty become a harsh reality at the Global Villages experience at Heifer International near Perryville.
Calico Rock Trout Fishing
World-class trout fishing can be enjoyed on the White River near Calico Rock.
Hawksbill Crag
One of the most photographed spots in the Natural State is a unique rock outcropping called Hawksbill Crag in the upper portion of the Buffalo National River Wilderness.
Lake Enterprise
Lake Enterprise by the town of Wilmot in south Arkansas is a not-too-well known gem of the Natural State filled with picturesque cypress trees.
Mountain Biking Devil's Den
Devils Den State Park in northwest Arkansas is well known for its crevice and cave area but, a little known fact is that this was alsop the location for one of the states first mountain biking trails.
Sugarloaf MountainTrail
Sugarloaf Mountain Island in the middle of Greers Ferry Lake is a popular destination with hiking enthusiasts to enjoy the Sugarloaf Mountain National Nature Trail.
Devil's Knob-Devil's Backbone Natural Area
Devils Knob- Devils Backbone Natural Area near Melbourne offers a chance to explore an unusual sandstone glade and unique plant species.
Forked Mountain
Forked Mountain east of Hollis in the Ouachita National Forest is one of the more unique mountains in the Natural State with twin peaks.
Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge
Situated along the Mississippi Flyway, a onetime elite hunting club, now the Wapanocca NWR is an important sanctuary for migratory waterfowl.
North Sylamore Creek Hiking Trail
Hiking along the North Sylamore Creek Hiking Trail near Mountain View takes you through three fantastic camping areas along its fifteen mile route.
Big Creek Natural Area
The Big Creek Natural Area east of Wilburn offers a woodlands hike to a crystal clear mountain stream with diverse populations of fish and other aquatic organisms.
Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge
Taking the driving tour at Holla Bend NWR south of Dardanelle, you can see bald and golden eagles snow geese and trumpeter swans.
Stack Rock Special Interest Area
The Stack Rock Special Interest Area in the Ozark National Forest near Witts Spring is known for its geologic and scenic qualities.
Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge
Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge situated along the Mississippi Flyway in east Arkansas has been referred to as a wetland paradise in a sea of agriculture.
Related links: Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge
Hobbs State Park
The Historic Van Winkle Trail is featured at Hobbs State Park Conservation Area, which is actually Arkansas largest state park near Rogers.
Related links: Hobbs State Park and Conservation Area
Lake Fort Smith State Park
After being closed for quite a number of years, Lake Fort Smith State Park has reopened bigger and better than ever near Mountainburg in northwest Arkansas. Well take you on a kayak tour of this 1490-acre reservoir.
Mystic Caverns
Mystic Caverns south of Harrison offers two caverns only 400 feet apart from one another the other is Crystal Dome Cavern.
Related links: Mystic Caverns
Rush - Ghost Town
The only Federally protected ghost town in the country is Rush, in the lower portion of the Buffalo National River region.
War Eagle Mill
War Eagle Mill near Rogers is a storybook setting that takes you back in time ..down by the old mill stream.
Related links: War Eagle Mill
Arkansas Post
The cradle of Arkansas history is also explored at Arkansas Post near Gillette.
Related links: Arkansas Post National Memorial
Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge - Snow Geese and Trumpeters
Trumpeter Swans and snow geese at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge near Russellville display their grace and beauty in the third segment.
Related links: Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge
Boxley Valley Scenic Drive
Boxley Valley Scenic Drive offers a wonderful experience with elk, plus Arkansas heritage and history.
Lake Ouachita State Park - Eagle Kayaking
A kayaking excursion at Lake Ouachita State Park provides a unique up close look at bald eagles.
Arkansas Oklahoma Astronomical Society
This episode begins by exploring the heavens with the Arkansas Oklahoma Astronomical Society at the Coleman Observatory northwest of Van Buren.
Related links: Arkansas Oklahoma Astronomical Society
Mont Nebo Mountain Biking
Mountain biking atop Mt. Nebo near Dardanelle.
Haw Creek Falls
The Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area in the Ozark National Forest northeast of Clarksville offers, waterfalls, cascades and towering bluffs.
Seven Devils Swamp
Seven Devils Swamp near Monticello may sound eerie, but its a picturesque example of the original habitat that existed in the Delta.
Related links: Seven Devils Swamp Natural Area
Cane Creek Lake Kayaking
Kayak touring is becoming more and more popular, and a kayak excursion on Cane Creek Lake near Star City has an added attraction giant water lily blooms.
Cosmic Cavern Spelunking
A wild cave tour at Cosmic Cavern near Berryville includes two underground lakes, the bottoms of which have never been found.
Related links: Cosmic Cavern
Round Top Mountain
The history of Round Top Mountain south of Jasper is quite intriguing, especially what happened there in 1948.
Ozark Medieval Fortress
A thirty year project to build a genuine medieval castle is underway north of Harrison.
Related links: Ozark Medieval Fortress
Bull Shoals Caverns
Bull Shoals is one of the worlds oldest caverns containing virtually all known formations of any cave in the country.
Related links: Bull Shoals Caverns
Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge
Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge near Crossett is home to the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
Delta Heritage Trail State Park
Delta Heritage Trail State Park near West Helena is a rails-to-trails conversion, offering a unique look at the Delta.
Gunner Pool
Gunner Pool and Barkshed Recreation Areas near Mountain View offer their own unique camping and swimming adventure.
Cache River National Wildlife Refuge
The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker was rediscovered in 2004 but has yet to be seen again. A canoe trip through the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge takes viewers to the general area where it was last spotted.
Turpentine Creek Big Cat Refuge
The largest big cat refuge in the world happens to be near Eureka Springs which rescues distressed big cats throughout the U.S.
Kingfisher & Arboretum Trails
Two lesser-known trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park offer unique opportunities along the Kingfisher Trail you hike amongst giants huge 600 year-old cypress trees.
DeGray Lake Sunset Kayaking
A perfect ending to a summer evening is kayaking at sunset on DeGray Lake near Arkadelphia.
Related links: DeGray Lake Resort State Park
Bull Shoals-White River State Park
One of the finest fishing and boating destinations in the nation can be found at Bull Shoals Lake and the White River not to mention camping, mountain biking, a butterfly garden and a wildflower meadow.
Related links: Mountain Village 1890
Cossatot River State Park
The Cossatot River in southwest Arkansas has always been popular with whitewater kayakers, but it’s also a river for all seasons, for everyone.
Ouachita River Trout Fishing
The White and Little Red rivers in Arkansas are well-known for trout fishing, but there’s also the Ouachita at Carpenter Dam near Hot Springs.
Pinnacle Mountain Biking
Mountain biking can now be enjoyed along a couple of new trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, just west of Little Rock.
Pelicans
Arkansas’ ever-changing wildlife scene now includes white pelicans during the winter.
Mount Ida Crystals
It’s called the Ouartz Crystal Capital of the world – Mt. Ida in west Arkansas. The only other two places in the world containing quartz crystals are Madagascar and Brazil.
Related links: Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines
Little Missouri Falls
Little Missouri Falls is located in one of the most scenic areas of the Ouachita National Forest in western Arkansas – in fact, it’s a special area that almost became a national park.
Cedar Falls Hike
Hiking to one of the premier waterfalls in the state, Cedar Falls at Petit Jean Mountain State Park is a must do activity for anyone living in The Natural State.
