Relieving Spring Fever in Northwest Arkansas - Camping, Floating, Motorcycles and more!

After the ice melts and the birds return to Northwest Arkansas, there are lots of prescriptions for relieving spring fever.

The area is home to some of the country’s cleanest streams, including America’s first national river, which begins in rugged and rural Newton County.

The Buffalo National River starts as a trickle in the Boston Mountains and flows unrestricted to the White River, providing more than 130 miles for floating, swimming and camping. Several outfitters offer canoe rentals, shuttle service or the option hire a driver to deliver a personal car down river.

If camping on a river bar or in the wilderness doesn’t appeal, cabins are available for rent from companies like Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca. Swiss-style chalets can be found along scenic Arkansas 7, operated by folks such as Little Switzerland near Jasper.

Another family favorite is the 90-mile Kings River, which flows north into Table Rock Lake near the Missouri border. The river’s headwaters don’t offer much for canoeing, but the area does lend itself to hiking in places such as the Kings River Falls Natural Area, with a popular swimming hole.

The natural area offers low-impact hiking on part of nearly 700 acres preserved by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. As the name implies, the falls are the focal point of the area and an example of another of Northwest Arkansas’ photogenic features.

For floating, the Kings River can be accessed at several points as it makes its way north, including Trigger Gap, home to Kings River Outfitters. The business sits on Arkansas 221, near The Nature Conservancy’s recently acquired 4,557-acre preserve.

The preserve includes a seven-mile stretch of the river formerly owned by the family of the late J. Hugh Liedtke, a Texas oil man. Liedtke was the longtime head of Pennzoil Co. and a business partner of former President George H.W. Bush, who locals say made his decision to run for the office on the Arkansas property.

A more adventurous springtime trip would be to the Mulberry River. With its class II and III ratings — easy to moderate waves and rapids — the 50-mile Mulberry flows west to the Arkansas River. Help planning a trip to the Mulberry can be found at Turner Bend and Byrd’s Adventure Center.

EASY RIDING

For many, spring means time to dust off the leathers, polish the chrome and go for a ride. The Ozarks have no shortage riding opportunities for motorcycle enthusiasts fond of twisting, country roads.

One of the best-known rides is the 19-mile section of Arkansas 23 — from the south border of the Ozark National Forest to Arkansas 16 in Brashears — known as the Pig Trail Scenic Byway. Also north of Interstate 40, there’s Arkansas 7, which passes through Jasper, home of the popular Ozark Cafe. Either route can lead to Eureka Springs, which is a traditional destination and features several businesses that cater to bikers.

Motorcycle dealers are sprinkled throughout Northwest Arkansas, from the out-of-the-way Bentonville BMW to the Pig Trail Harley Davidson franchise, which has locations in Rogers and Eureka Springs. For Harley fans, there’s also Old Fort Harley Davidson off Interstate 540 in Fort Smith.

For riders lacking bikes, rentals are available through Pig Trail in Rogers. The area also features dealers representing other major manufacturers, including Heartland Honda in Springdale and Bill Eddy’s Motorsports in Fayetteville with its Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki and KTM bikes.

Off-road riding also is available in the Ozark National Forest on public trails, such as Mill Creek Trail near Combs. Mill Creek offers rides ranging in difficulty from easy to most difficult, according to the U.S. Forest Service. More information is available from the Boston Mountain Ranger District at (479) 667-2191.

PEDAL POWER

For riders who prefer pedals over petroleum, Northwest Arkansas offers ample opportunities both on and off the pavement.

Several cities, including Fayetteville, are in various stages of building trail systems. The latest Fayetteville trail allows a bicyclist to ride from the downtown entertainment district to the northside shopping area without having to fight traffic. The city’s Scull Creek trail connects with two others to provide an alternative route through town, and several other connections are planned or built.

Fayetteville also boasts the Joe Martin Stage Race, which its website says attracts 700 athletes from 19 countries and at least 45 states. The four-day event features events for professionals and amateurs and opportunities for spectators to witness world-class cycling. The 2011 race is tentatively scheduled for May 5-8 or May 12-15.

Mountain biking also is popular in the area, with several options for riders of all abilities. Basic off-road sections of the Lake Fayetteville trail are suitable for beginners, while more challenging trails are available in places like Devil’s Den State Park. Devil’s Den also typically holds a Mountain Bike Festival in April. More information is available by calling the park at (479) 761-3325.

SATURDAY MORNING

Farmers markets are another popular Saturday morning activity in Northwest Arkansas and a good way for newcomers to get plugged into what’s going on.

Local growers sell a variety of crops and crafts from pickup beds, while politicians and puppies look for people to meet.

Such markets are popular in almost every Northwest Arkansas city and can happen almost any day of the week. Keep an eye on the NW Arkansas Today feature in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for starting dates and times of the various farmers markets, as well as for other events of interest.

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