A Sunday drive is even better with a little hiking thrown in to spice up the trip.
Kings River Overlook is a perfect destination for an after-church outing or any time a quick, easy hike is on the agenda.
The hike is one mile round-trip and leads to a stunning overlook high above the Kings River, one of our most scenic streams. The overlook is part of the 14,000-acre McIlroy Madison County Wildlife Management Area.
A trip to the management area June 25 included a hike to Kings River Overlook. This is another one of those scenic treks that's good to plan around noontime so you can have lunch while enjoying the view. Natural rock slabs at the overlook make fine picnic spots, or just to sit and relax.
The overlook is situated among a grove of pines that add their scent to the fresh air. A nice breeze blew through the trees during our visit on a warm Thursday afternoon. The Kings River could be heard flowing over a shoal 100 feet below.
Five miles of decent gravel road lead through the management area to the trailhead. Most hikers will travel U.S. 412 or Arkansas 12 east to Arkansas 23. From U.S. 412, head north, or from Arkansas 12, head south on Arkansas 23 to signs that point to the McIlroy Madison County Wildlife Management Area and also the Ozark Natural Science Center.
Turn east and go 200 yards to management area headquarters. On the left you'll see a sign for Kings River Overlook. Similar signs direct travelers to the overlook. Follow the signs to the parking area and trailhead.
The hike starts at a gate near the parking lot. Most of the one-half mile walk to the overlook is on an old road, so the path is nice and wide. The day we hiked, the trail corridor had been nicely mowed.
There are four little creek crossings along the way. All are easy to step across without getting wet feet. It's mostly level, easy walking to the good stuff at the overlook.
The view is well worth the short hike. At the overlook, visitors will notice a bend in the river on the right with a spacious gravel bar. We had to reminisce a bit. There's no telling how many nights we've camped on that gravel bar during Kings River float trips.
Years ago, there wasn't a trail to the overlook. We'd make camp on the gravel bar, then wade or swim across the river and bushwhack our way up a hollow, then out to the overlook. Our tents and campsite looked so tiny from high up.
We never kept any smallmouth bass on those Kings River floats. If the goggle-eye were biting, we'd keep those and fry them up on the campfire after our hike to the overlook.
Kings River Overlook is a lot easier to visit now, and it doesn't require a canoe to get there.
Sports on 07/09/2015