Arkansas Reccomendations...

[tinksdad]

I'm just in the thinking about planning a weekend camping/geocaching trip to the Beebe/Searcy area this summer. My first thought was COE because of the price. Closest are near Little Rock, Conway or Heber Springs. Not totally within the area I was thinking of, but manageable. I haven't even started looking at the State Park system yet. Any recommendations or preferences that might work for what I want to do???

[WarPony]

I would highly recommend Petit Jean SP as a "must see". It is a REALLY beautiful park with lots to do. Another one we liked was Crater of Diamonds SP, you can rent some equipment and dig for buried treasure .........

Jeff

[iplay10us2]

Let me think about it and check around for you. Off the top of my head, I can't think of anything near the area, but I will do some research for you and let you know.


OK...I have some thoughts for State Parks. Woolly Hollow State Park which is near Greenbrier, AR and Jacksonport State Park which is near Newport, AR. Jacksonport is closed right now due to the ice storm damage, but should be open by summer.

[aggie79]

I've not been there, but I've heard that Pinnacle Mountain state park is very nice. Although a little farther, I have been to Lake DeGray state park. It is beautiful.

[iplay10us2]

Pinnacle Mountain is a day use park only. No camping allowed. Maumelle Park, a COE, is nearby and does have really nice campsites.

[Laurence M.]

Hello all! This is my first post . . . although I have been lurking around for a while now. I would agree with Warpony on the Pettit Jean recommendation . . . I would also add Devils Den, and for a side trip from Petit Jean - Blanchard Springs Caverns.

[iplay10us2]

All of those parks are nice, but are nowhere near the Searcy/Beebe areal like he wants. Jacksonport and Wolly Hollow are probably the closest state parks.

[tinksdad]

Thanks for all the input. I will add them all to my list of places to visit.

My main impetus for this trip is more for the geocaching than the camping. Lots of people I cache with locally keep telling me I have to get to Searcy and cache that vicinity for some awesome hides. The tear will just make it much more economical than staying in a hotel. It's about a 4 hour tow after work on Friday, and I'll be out caching all day Saturday. The only time I will be at the campground is at night to sleep, breakfast in the morning and maybe a little relaxation on Sunday before I have to drive back.

There is another reason why I chose that area as well. I dated a nice lady for a while who used to live near Helena. She has since moved to Beebe. She just wrote on my facebook wall that if I make it up that way, I should look her up. Don't know if she's serious or not; but it would be nice to see her again.

[iplay10us2]

Another option in the Heber Springs area is "The Old Hwy. 25" campground.

http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Old_Highway_25_Ar/r/campgroundDetails.do?page=details&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=71324&topTabIndex=CampingSpot

This one can be quieter and not as crowded as some of the main campgrounds.

[ARKPAT]

I know you may have the information; but the others that might be interested in a Arkansas State Park link and the area group of ARK-MO Group.




Pat

[Dulcimer Man]

I'm just in the thinking about planning a weekend camping/geocaching trip to the Beebe/Searcy area this summer. My first thought was COE because of the price. Closest are near Little Rock, Conway or Heber Springs. Not totally within the area I was thinking of, but manageable. I haven't even started looking at the State Park system yet. Any recommendations or preferences that might work for what I want to do???

one of my favorite camp grounds in Ark. is a very lovely spot just a mile or two from the big lake and about 20 miles west of Hot Springs Ark. named Charlton Park. Beautiful with a fine swimming area.

[razorback]

The COE facilities in arkansas are very nice.
http://www.arkansas.com/outdoors/campin ... +Engineers
I have camped in most of them over the last 50 years. Some are closed now till spring and some may be closed due to the massive ice storms of three weeks ago. The city of North Little Rock has a decent campground at Burns Park. I believe it is open year round. It is about 45 miles from Searcy and about 35 miles from Beebe.
The next link lists camping in the Searcy area. http://www.hikercentral.com/metros/42620.html
That list says Greers Ferry Lake is about 20 miles away. I really like the Dam Site the COE has on the Little Red River.
Hope you have fun.
Larry