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Arkansas Outside
Floating 101…Staying Afloat this Year on the Buffalo National River
The floating season is approaching, and the Buffalo National River Partnership wants to help you have a safe and fun float trip on the Buffalo. To achieve this, they are offering a refresher course with the do’s and don’ts of floating on the river. Faron Usrey, a former...
US Pro Cup p/b Ozark Foundation comes to Fayetteville, Arkansas, ahead of the Paris Summer Olympics.
Beginning on Wednesday, April 3rd, Centennial Park in Northwest Arkansas will host four days of racing, with more than thirteen countries participating, including nations as far away as New Zealand and Switzerland. The Hors Category XCO race on Saturday will be the only one in North America for 2024 and will provide riders and countries with significant UCI qualification points leading up to the summer games. In addition, the largest cross-country-specific race in North America will see over forty-one US states represented on the start line, with both pros and amateurs competing.
Corps of Engineers Makes plans for Eclipse Traffic at Three Area Lakes
As we approach the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the US Army Corps of Engineers anticipates a significant increase in the number of visitors to Lake Ouachita, Lake Greeson, and DeGray Lake. As a result of the expected high visitation, there will be limited parking facilities available, including campgrounds, boat ramps, and day-use parking lots. We strongly recommend visitors to carpool and minimize the number of vehicles per group to reduce the parking congestion and ensure a smooth visit for everyone.
Centennial Park closures for mountain biking U.S. Pro Cup
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Beginning Monday, April 1, certain trails of Centennial Park will be closed to the public to allow for final preparations for the 2024 U.S. Pro Cup. The event will take place from Wednesday, April 3, to Sunday, April 7, at Centennial Park in Fayetteville. It is free for all spectators to attend. This festival-style event is a part of the U.S. Cup Series for mountain biking, where world champions, national champions, and past and present Olympians will compete for critical qualifying points ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission to open applications for two additional Clean Waterway Grants
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (March 27, 2024) — Keep Arkansas Beautiful (KAB) to reopen public applications for two additional 2024 Clean Waterways Grant that will assist communities with the installation of trash booms on Arkansas waterways. These grants will award up to $2,600 to each of the selected city or county governments, companies or organizations seeking to reduce litter along their local waterways.
Trees of the Forest Trail to Receive Upgrades
The “Trees of the Forest” trail is a walking trail located at the south end of Lake Sylvia Recreation Area, which is a part of Pinnacle Mountain State Park. The trail is approximately 1/3 mile long and can be accessed from the main park entrance road. It also serves as a trailhead for the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. In 2020, after the execution of a Historic Property Lease with the USFS, the trail was identified as a priority project by State Park’s planning and development staff, and local stakeholders, due to its unique setting and intended user group. The trail comprises approximately 850 feet of asphalt paved trail and transitions into an unpaved hiking trail loop measuring approximately 1000 feet after crossing a creek.
Temporary Closure of Razorback Greenway at I-49 Tunnel
Bentonville Parks and Recreation has announced a temporary closure of the Razorback Greenway Trail. The closure will extend from the south tunnel entrance of I-49 heading north to Bentonville County 40. This section is important as it connects residents and visitors from Bentonville to Bella Vista. The purpose of the closure is to upgrade a portion of the existing trail to concrete to provide a more robust trail surface and better pedestrian and biking accessibility. Additionally, Bentonville Parks and Recreation staff will plant trees to provide much-needed shade and enhance the experience for trail users.
Experience the Total Eclipse at Hot Springs National Park
April 4 – 7, 2024. Even though totality will last just a few minutes, visitors will have many opportunities to participate in special events in the days leading up to the Eclipse. Park rangers are working with scientists from NASA, NOAA, and Earth to Sky to coordinate fun events, programs, and presentations throughout the community. These programs are all free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Learn more about space weather, ongoing NASA research, the impact of eclipses on Earth, eclipse dynamics, and more. Additionally, the park is hosting a 2-day “Eclipse Fest!” on Arlington Lawn with interactive activities, demonstrations, and presentations from the visiting scientists.
The Eclipse is Not the Only Thing Happening in the Skies this Spring
The following article was written by Danielle Smith with the Public News Service Public News Service. Spring marks the season for annual migrations for numerous bird species, with Arkansas hosting a total of 428 avian varieties. Experts said birdwatchers are encouraged to be vigilant, as they may encounter countless species...
Women in fire: Blazing through barriers
(This article was shared by the US Forest Service as part of Women’s History Month.) For 29 years, Elizabeth Bunzendahl has blazed a trail for women in fire. “In the early days of my career, I faced overt gender bias and discrimination,” said Bunzendahl. “At the time, I was surprised to discover there was a portion of the population who truly believed that women couldn’t, and some thought shouldn’t, do the job of a wildland firefighter.”
The American Scholastic Climbing League Comes to Arkansas
Twenty-five years ago, I took my son David, who was still in grade school, to an introduction to climbing program at Sam’s Throne in the Ozark Mountains. Little Rock Parks and Recreation hosted the event, and Zen Boulden of Byrd’s Adventure Center led the training. Unfortunately, there was an age limit for participating in the climbs, and my son was not old enough to join. He was left with a book in a camp chair. However, we were fortunate to have Lynn Hill, a world-renowned rock climber and holder of numerous climbing titles, also present at the event. While I worked with Zen and the other participants on climbing techniques. When I went to check on David, I found that he had talked his way into some one-on-one training with Ms. Hill on a nearby boulder. He has always been a lucky person in his own right.
Spring into the Outdoors with the AGFC March 16-22
March Madness has an entirely different meaning for many parents in The Natural State. The big college basketball tournament will tip off just as most Arkansas schools dismiss their students for a week for spring break. According to Eric Maynard, interim chief of Education for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, parents looking to engage their children in some fun outdoor activities may want to check out the full slate of options available through the agency’s nine nature centers across the state.
Arkansas Wild: The Story of Trout Tourism on the Little Red River
The Little Red River in Arkansas is an internationally renowned trout stream that is home to a self-sustaining wild brown trout population and once produced a world-record catch. When Rip Collins caught a 40-pound, 4-ounce brown trout on the Little Red River in 1992, the secret was out and the destination was put on the map. However, it is unclear whether the attention and tourism impact was positive for the river.
Crystal Bridges Opens Exquisite Creatures With Lectures by Artist and Author/Birdwatcher
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is celebrating the opening of its newest exhibition, Exquisite Creatures, with a weekend of events that honor the beauty of nature. On March 15, there will be a special opening lecture by the exhibition’s artist, Christopher Marley. KUAF News Director Kyle Kellam will host the lecture, which will delve into the incredible connection between art and nature.
Arkansas State Parks Enters Agreement with AmeriCorps, Engage Arkansas, and Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation
LITTLE ROCK — Secretary Shea Lewis was joined by leaders for AmeriCorps, Engage Arkansas, and the Arkansas Parks & Recreation Foundation gathered at Pinnacle Mountain State Park on March 11 for the official signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding designed to create a framework for increased conservation programs and environmental activities in Arkansas.
Buffalo National River Announces Canoe & Kayak Rental Concession Business Opportunity
Harrison, AR: The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a prospectus soliciting proposals to provide canoe rentals and transportation (shuttle) services to visitors at Buffalo National River. The NPS intends to award twelve (12) concession contracts. The new contracts will be for a term of ten (10) years. Interested parties...
International Magazine Dedicates Issue to Mountain Biking in Arkansas
Discover Arkansas’ finest singletrack with Freehub Magazine’s Arkansas Photo Book, a visual guide to the Natural State’s trails. The first issue of Freehub’s 15th year takes us on an adventure through the rocky ascents of Mount Nebo, the flowing trail networks of Bentonville and Fayetteville, and the lush wilderness of Arkansas’ backcountry. The state’s mountain biking scene has exploded in recent years, welcoming riders with open arms and a huge dose of Southern hospitality. However, mountain biking in Arkansas has been around for a long time before this modern boom. The foundation for this growth is a storied past, comprised of passionate individuals who worked tirelessly to shape not only the trails but also the culture of Arkansas mountain biking. Freehub has woven this tale throughout 116 pages of the new, carefully crafted Freehub Arkansas Photo Book.
Gearhead Outfitters is expanding into Colorado
The Arkansas-based outdoor retail chain announces the acquisition of Summit Canyon Mountaineering Stores. Jonesboro, AR – March 7, 2024 – Gearhead Outfitters (GHO), the family-owned outdoor specialty retailer under the leadership of Ted and Amanda Herget, proudly announces the expansion of its community to Colorado with the acquisition of two Summit Canyon Mountaineering stores. This significant expansion elevates GHO’s footprint to more than 20 locations spanning Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and now Colorado. The addition of the Summit Canyon Mountaineering stores in Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction signifies a momentous step in the company’s journey.
Big Dam Bridge Will Be Closed During the 4th Week of March
Beginning Monday, March 25th through Friday, March 29th, the Big Dam Bridge, which spans across Murray Lock and Dam, will be temporarily closed to all traffic between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. This closure is necessary for a routine bridge inspection conducted by officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Groundbreaking of the Southeast Trail in Little Rock
The Arkansas River Trail (ART) is the main active transportation and recreation corridor in Central Arkansas. The Southeast Trail is a collaborative project between Pulaski County and the City of Little Rock that will utilize the ART connectivity, provide access to several important destinations, and link it to the airport. This will result in the establishment of active, healthy, sustainable, equitable, and safe transportation and recreation options in East Little Rock. While the Southeast Trail was officially opened in 2016, the trail is currently completely on the road and connects the River Market area to the Terry Lock and Dam Park. This first phase of improvements is expected to be the beginning of taking much of the trail off the road to make it safer for pedestrians and people on bicycles.
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Outdoor Recreation News from Arkansas with coverage of events and destinations mainly in the state. We cover Hiking, Camping, Mountain Biking, Road Cycling, Kayaking, Canoeing, Trail Running, Backpacking, Rock Climbing, and more.
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